Sudden Floodwaters Inundate Bangladesh’s Comilla District After India’s Decision
Bangladesh (AP) – In a dramatic turn of events, Bangladesh’s southeastern Comilla district has been severely impacted by a sudden surge of floodwaters originating from India’s Tripura state. The unforeseen opening of a sluice gate at the Dumboor Reservoir in Tripura has unleashed a torrent of water down the transboundary Gomti River, leaving vast stretches of farmland submerged and thousands of residents in despair.
A Tale of Two Regions: Comilla and Tripura
Comilla, which borders the Indian state of Tripura to the east, has been grappling with monsoon rains for several days. However, the rainfall in Tripura has been much more intense, leading to a worsening flood situation. In response, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha took urgent action, sending an SOS to Delhi and ordering the closure of educational institutions. The Assam Rifles, known for their rapid disaster response, quickly deployed teams to assist the affected areas.
As the flood crisis escalated, Tripura authorities made the overnight decision to open a sluice gate at the Dumboor Reservoir, a move that had not been taken since 1993. This impromptu action was intended to alleviate the pressure on Tripura’s flood-stricken regions but had catastrophic consequences for Bangladesh.
The Aftermath: Comilla’s Farmlands Under Water
The opening of the sluice gate had immediate repercussions in Bangladesh. Since Wednesday morning, vast expanses of farmland in Comilla have been submerged under the onslaught of floodwaters. Thousands of hectares of crops have been destroyed, homes have been washed away, and livelihoods have been shattered. The floodwaters caught local authorities off guard, as there had been no prior communication from Indian or Tripura authorities regarding the decision to release water from the reservoir.
“We were not notified by the Indian side about their decision to open the reservoir sluice gate,” confirmed Partha Pratim Barua, a sub-divisional engineer at the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre of the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB). The lack of communication prevented Bangladesh from taking precautionary measures that could have mitigated the damage.
A Communication Breakdown: The Need for Better Coordination
The decision to open the sluice gate after 31 years highlights a significant communication gap between the two neighboring countries, who share many common rivers. Despite having Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) for exchanging rainfall data at 14 points along the border, the Comilla-Tripura front is not covered under these agreements. As a result, critical decisions such as the opening of a sluice gate were made without notifying the other side, exacerbating the flood situation in Bangladesh.
“We still manage to gather rainfall data from across the border in one way or another, but when it comes to one side’s decision to open a sluice gate, there’s no tradition of notifying the other side,” Partha added.
Officials involved in flood forecasting and disaster management expressed their frustration at the lack of cooperation between Bangladesh and India on such crucial matters. After years of apparent close collaboration, the two South Asian neighbors still struggle to work together on vital issues like flood forecasting and disaster preparedness.
Tripura’s Dilemma: Managing a Flood Crisis
In Tripura, the situation remains dire. Agartala-based media outlet Borok Times reported that the release of water from the Dumboor Reservoir has compounded the flooding in the region. Rivers and streams in the plains have swelled beyond their capacities, submerging agricultural lands and residential areas, and forcing thousands of residents to evacuate their homes.
The Dumboor Reservoir, located in Gandacherra Sub-Division, 120 kilometers from Tripura’s capital Agartala, is a vast water body covering 41 square kilometers. The reservoir is linked to a hydroelectric project near Dumboor Lake, which feeds the Gomti River. This hilly river, known for its strong current, flows into Bangladesh near Katak Bazar in Comilla Sadar and eventually merges with the Meghna River at Shapta in Daudkandi upazila.
Conclusion: A Call for Improved Cross-Border Communication
The reopening of the Dumboor Reservoir’s sluice gate after three decades serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable power of nature and the challenges the region faces in managing extreme weather events. It also underscores the urgent need for better cross-border communication and coordination between Bangladesh and India. As the floodwaters continue to wreak havoc on Comilla’s farmlands, the affected communities are left to pick up the pieces and rebuild their lives in the wake of this unexpected disaster.