Bangladesh proposes joint flood waters body with India

By SM Najmus Sakib

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AA) - Bangladesh has proposed forming a joint flood control committee with India in the wake of severe flooding in both countries, officials in Dhaka announced Thursday evening.

"If such a high-level committee is formed, it will meet when there is a severe flood situation and both countries will work jointly to deal with the flood situation," said the press secretary of Muhammad Yunus, who heads Bangladesh's transitional government.

Shafiqul Alam told reporters that this would be similar to an existing body between the two countries on border security, adding that Yunus made this proposal at a meeting with Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma in the capital Dhaka.

Torrential rains have triggered heavy floods in northeastern India's Tripura state and eastern Bangladesh's Comilla district. Bangladeshi authorities have also said that water levels in the Gumti and Muhuri rivers that flow through the region have surged following the opening of a sluice gate at Dumber Lake in Tripura.

During the meeting with Yunus, the Indian High Commissioner described the flood situation in Tripura as "unprecedented." According to Alam, the Indian diplomat stated that the water level was so high that it overflowed into Bangladesh.

However, Bangladesh information adviser Nahid Islam alleged on Thursday that India was showing "inhumanity" by releasing water from its rivers without prior notice to Dhaka. New Delhi has denied releasing water from dams.

Bangladesh and India share the waters of at least 54 rivers, with the upstream portions located in India.

The floods have claimed 13 lives in eastern Bangladesh, forcing thousands to seek shelter. Md. Kamrul Hasan, secretary of Bangladesh's Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, told reporters on Friday that the severe floods have affected approximately 4.5 million people in 11 eastern regions.

The meteorological office forecasted on Friday that the ongoing rainfall may continue for the next 72 hours, with the intensity expected to decrease after Aug. 26.