SRINAGAR: The Union Government has strengthened institutional arrangements with neighbouring countries sharing trans-boundary rivers to improve flood forecasting, early warning systems and ecosystem protection, with real-time data sharing and coordinated river management aimed at reducing flood losses in border States, the Lok Sabha was informed on Thursday.
Replying to a starred question, Union Jal Shakti Minister C R Paatil said India has existing bilateral mechanisms with Bangladesh, Bhutan, China and Nepal for cooperation on flood management and other water resources matters, including transmission of hydrological data such as river water levels, discharge, rainfall patterns, dam releases and extreme weather information during the monsoon season.
The Minister said these arrangements are designed to provide advance warnings to downstream regions and help States prepare for floods, minimise damage to life and property, and address concerns relating to pollution control and protection of aquatic and riparian ecosystems.
With Bangladesh, India has maintained data-sharing arrangements since 1972, transmitting flood-related information from identified stations on the Ganga, Brahmaputra, Barak, Teesta, Jaldhaka, Torsa and several other rivers. The data is shared through wireless links and email, and during recent flood seasons coordination has been further streamlined through digital platforms, including dedicated messaging groups between officials of both countries to enable quicker exchange of information. Bangladesh has also begun sharing flood data for certain rivers flowing into West Bengal to support forecasting on the Indian side. Water quality and pollution issues in trans-boundary rivers are discussed through Technical Level Meetings under the India-Bangladesh Joint Rivers Commission, in which representatives of bordering States participate.
With Bhutan, hydrological data is collected and transmitted from dozens of monitoring stations on trans-border rivers such as the Manas, Sankosh, Torsa and Jaldhaka. The information is used by Indian agencies for flood forecasting in Assam and West Bengal. Joint expert and technical groups regularly review flood management measures and also deliberate on issues such as upstream mining and industrial activities affecting water quality.
India and China have an Expert-Level Mechanism, established in 2006, to discuss cooperation on trans-border rivers. Under a series of memoranda of understanding, China provides hydrological information on the Yaluzangbu, which becomes the Brahmaputra in India, and on the Sutlej during the flood season. These agreements have been periodically renewed, and an additional pact signed in 2013 provides for broader cooperation on trans-boundary river management and emergency response.
With Nepal, a three-tier institutional structure comprising ministerial, committee and technical levels addresses water resources cooperation. Hydro-meteorological data from monitoring stations in Nepal is used by Indian authorities to forecast floods in adjoining States. The Minister said these mechanisms specifically help vulnerable districts along the border anticipate inundation and plan mitigation measures.
He added that State Governments, particularly those in border areas, are actively involved in negotiations, implementation and monitoring of these arrangements and take part in bilateral meetings to flag local concerns. The India Meteorological Department is also engaged in regional cooperation through platforms such as SAARC, BIMSTEC and the South Asia Hydromet Forum to strengthen early warning systems and climate-related data exchange.
The Minister said the Centre is focusing on transparency, reciprocity and reliability in data sharing to ensure timely dissemination of information, prevent transboundary pollution and promote sustainable river basin management, noting that coordinated action with neighbouring countries is essential to protect lives and ecosystems in downstream regions.
