Lok Sabha Question No. 84 (STARRED), answered on 2026-02-05
Subject: Cooperation on Flood Management and Ecosystem Protection
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Shri Jagdambika Pal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI

## DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO. *84

ANSWERED ON 05.02.2026

## COOPERATION ON FLOOD MANAGEMENT AND ECOSYSTEM PROTECTION

## *84.      SHRI JAGDAMBIKA PAL:

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

(a)  whether the  Government has initiated or proposes to initiate Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) or similar institutional arrangements with neighbouring countries that share common  upstream and downstream  river  systems  with  border  States  for  cooperation  on  flood  forecasting  and  early  warning systems;

(b)  if  so,  the  details  thereof,  country  and  river-basin-wise  including  the  mechanisms  for  realtime  data sharing on rainfall, river discharge, dam releases and extreme weather events;

(c) whether these arrangements also cover cooperation on river pollution control, water quality monitoring and protection of aquatic and riparian ecosystems and if so, the details thereof;

(d)  the  role  of  State  Governments,  particularly  border  States  in  the  negotiation,  implementation  and monitoring of such MoUs; and

(e) the steps being taken to ensure transparency, reciprocity and reliability in data sharing so as to minimise flood-related loss of life and property, prevent transboundary pollution and promote sustainable river basin management?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF JAL SHAKTI

(SHRI C R PAATIL)

(a) to (e) : A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF STARRED QUESTION NO. *84  TO  BE  ANSWERED  ON  05.02.2026  IN  LOK  SABHA  REGARDING  'COOPERATION  ON FLOOD MANAGEMENT AND ECOSYSTEM PROTECTION'

(a) to (e) Government has existing bilateral institutional arrangements with neighbouring countries sharing common upstream and downstream river systems with border States, for cooperation on flood forecasting & early warning systems and other water resources related matters of mutual interests including river pollution control related matters among others. The country-wise details of such arrangements are given as under:

## Bangladesh:

Since 1972, there are existing arrangements for transmission of agreed flood related data (water level, discharge and rainfall) for identified stations/ sites on Ganga, Brahmaputra, Barak, Manu, Gumti, Teesta, Jaldhaka, Torsa and Mahananda rivers to Bangladesh for the purpose of flood forecasting and warning in their territory. Point to point flood data of identified stations is also transmitted to Bangladesh by wireless besides e-mails. During the flood season of 2023, a WhatsApp group of concerned officers from India and Bangladesh has also been activated for transmitting the flood data related information timely in a seamless manner to Bangladesh. During the flood season of 2025, Flood Forecasting Centre of Bangladesh Water Development Board, has also started providing (w.e.f.  06.10.2025),  the  flood  related  data  of  three  rivers (Upper Atrai, Punarbhaba and Tangon which are flowing from Bangladesh to West Bengal) to the Central Flood Control Room of Irrigation & Waterways Department, Govt of West Bengal.

The other water resources related matter of mutual interest on common border/ trans-boundary rivers with Bangladesh which also include pollution control related matters, among others, are deliberated in the Technical  Level  Meetings  (TLM)  under  the  India-Bangladesh  Joint  Rivers  Commission  framework.  The representatives  of  State  Government  of  bordering  States  also  take  part  in  the  bilateral  discussions.  The pollution  issue  in  Titas  River  through  C&B  Khal  and  Janji  River  at  Akhoura  in  Bangladesh  and  the pollution  issue  in  Mathabhanga-Churni  River  in  West  Bengal  due  to  effluents  released  from  sugar  mill located  in  Bangladesh  has  been  deliberated  in  the  TLM  wherein,  representatives  of  the  concerned  State Government of Tripura and West Bengal respectively participated.

## Bhutan:

There is an existing Joint Expert Team (JET) for collection and transmission of hydro-meteorological data  from  36  stations  on  trans-border  rivers  Puthimari,  Pagladiya,  Sankosh,  Manas,  Raidak,  Torsa,  Aie, Jaldhaka, etc. and their tributaries of Bhutan. The data is utilised in India for formulation of flood forecasts. A Joint Group of Experts (JGE), constituted in 2004, deliberates the matter related to flood management in the southern foothills of Bhutan and adjoining plains in India. A Joint Technical Team (JTT) also exists to provide technical support to JGE on flood management. The representatives of State Government of West Bengal and Assam are members in the JGE and JTT.

These existing mechanism of bilateral cooperation has also deliberated the matter related to dolomite mining in the upstream reaches on trans-border rivers in Bhutan causing deterioration of river water quality, release of industrial effluents in different trans-border rivers, etc.

## China:

An  Expert-Level  Mechanism  (ELM)  to  discuss  interaction  and  cooperation  on  provision  of  flood season hydrological data, emergency management and other issues regarding trans-border rivers was set up between India and China in 2006. The ELM meetings are held alternately in India and China every year.

In  the  year  2002,  the  Government  of  India  entered  into  an  MoU  with  China  for  five  years  for transmitting hydrological information (Water Level, Discharge and Rainfall) of three stations on Yaluzangbu/Brahmaputra River during flood season by China to India. This MoU was further renewed in 2008,  2013  and  2018.  Another  MoU  was  also  signed  in  April,  2005  having  a  provision  of  transmitting hydrological  information  (Water  Level,  Discharge  and  Rainfall)  on  the  River  Sutlej  in  flood  season  by China to India. The MoU was renewed in 2010 and 2015.

In addition, both the countries have signed another separate MoU on 'Strengthening Cooperation on Trans-Border Rivers' in 2013.

## Nepal:

There is an existing Indo-Nepal bilateral three tier mechanisms comprising (i) Joint Ministerial Level Commission on Water Resources  (JMCWR) (ii) Joint  Committee  on  Water  Resources  (JCWR)  and  (iii) Joint Standing Technical Committee (JSTC) which address bilateral cooperation in water resources. Joint Committee on Inundation of Flood Management (JCIFM)  implements the decisions of JSTC in inundation and flood management issues.

The hydro-meteorological data from stations in Nepal are obtained from the website of Department of Hydrology & Meteorology, Government of Nepal and is being used for flood forecasting activities in border States of India.

Besides,  India  Meteorological  Department (IMD) is involved in institutional cooperation and datasharing  arrangements  with  neighbouring  countries  and  regional  bodies  like  South  Asia  Hydromet  Forum (SAHF),   SAARC  (South  Asian  Association  for  Regional  Cooperation)  and  BIMSTEC  (Bay  of  Bengal Initiative  for  Multi-Sectoral  Technical  and  Economic  Cooperation)  to  support  flood  forecasting,  early warning  systems  and  broader  hydro-meteorological  cooperation,  through  both  bilateral  and  multilateral frameworks and specific technical agreements.

Data collected are stored, managed, and made available in standardized formats that are compatible with global climate models and other environmental tools.

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