India Continues Real-Time Flood Data Sharing with Bangladesh Amid Rising River Levels

Photo: Collected

Diplomatic Correspondent: India continues to share real-time flood-related data with Bangladesh under an established bilateral cooperation framework, helping authorities improve flood forecasting and early warning systems as river levels rise in several parts of the country.

The development comes as Bangladesh’s Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) warned that low-lying areas in the Sylhet, Rangpur and Rajshahi divisions could face short-term flooding within the next 24 to 72 hours due to heavy monsoon rainfall and rising water levels in major rivers.

According to sources familiar with the matter, the ongoing exchange of hydrological information between the two neighboring countries plays a crucial role in monitoring flood conditions and issuing timely alerts to communities living in flood-prone areas.

India and Bangladesh have maintained long-standing cooperation on transboundary river management through the Joint Rivers Commission (JRC). Under this arrangement, India regularly provides Bangladesh with information on river water levels, discharge rates, rainfall patterns and forecast assessments from key monitoring stations on shared rivers, including the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Teesta.

Officials say the data enables Bangladeshi authorities to better assess evolving river conditions, strengthen preparedness measures and respond more effectively to potential flood situations.

Recognizing the increasing impact of climate change on monsoon patterns, the two countries agreed in 2022 to extend the annual flood data-sharing period. While information was previously exchanged between May 1 and October 15, the revised arrangement now continues until October 31, allowing improved monitoring of late-season floods and flash flood risks.

Cooperation has also been enhanced through faster communication channels. In 2023, officials from India’s Ministry of Water Resources and the Bangladesh Water Development Board began sharing flood forecasting information through instant messaging platforms in addition to formal communication mechanisms. The initiative has helped facilitate the rapid exchange of real-time hydrological updates and forecasts.

Experts note that weather and flood forecasts issued by the India Meteorological Department for neighboring Indian states, including West Bengal and Assam, also provide useful situational awareness for Bangladesh, enabling authorities to anticipate upstream developments and make informed emergency response decisions.

The continued exchange of flood-related information reflects the broader cooperation between Bangladesh and India in water resource management and disaster preparedness, particularly during the annual monsoon season when millions of people remain vulnerable to flooding across the region.