India’s unilateral upstream water control wreaks havoc on Bangladesh
Gazi Anowar :
Bangladesh’s northern region is facing severe water shortages due to India’s continued control over upstream river flow. The construction and operation of dams and barrages by India have disrupted natural water courses, threatening irrigation, agriculture, and overall environmental stability. Experts warn that the region is inching toward desertification unless decisive and coordinated action is taken immediately.
India’s control over Transboundary Rivers- through dams and barrages like the Farakka Barrage-has resulted in reduced river navigability in Bangladesh, especially during dry seasons. Conversely, during monsoon, the sudden release of excess water from upstream causes devastating floods in downstream areas of Bangladesh.
Environmentalists and academicians have expressed deep concern over the growing water crisis, emphasizing the need for long-term and sustainable measures by the Bangladeshi government.
“This dual crisis-of water scarcity in the dry season and flooding during the monsoon-is crippling our agriculture and rural economy,” said Prof. Dr. Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder, Chairman, Department of Environmental Science at Stamford University Bangladesh. “The long-term impact includes desertification in the north and rising salinity in the south.”
The crisis has also affected the Sundarbans, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the largest mangrove forest in the world. Due to decreased freshwater flow from upstream, saltwater from the Bay of Bengal is pushing further inland, degrading soil quality, damaging crops, and threatening freshwater biodiversity.
M Zakir Hossain Khan, Chief executive of Change Initiative, explained: “We are not only losing arable land but also endangering lives and livelihoods. The absence of a sustainable, basin-wide water sharing mechanism is exposing Bangladesh to repeated man-made disasters.”
Former Dhaka University geography and environment department professor Mohammad Abdur Rob emphasized the ecological imbalance: “The loss of river depth, increased siltation, and uncoordinated water flow management are all signs of a collapsing delta system.
A basin-based approach must replace this outdated system of unilateral control.”
A window for change:
With the post-July revolution government led by Chief Adviser Professor Dr Mohammad Yunus, a new chapter of governance has begun. Experts believe now is the ideal time for Bangladesh to launch a bold, proactive water diplomacy strategy.
According to experts, the steps that need to be taken are: Negotiating a permanent, legally binding water-sharing treaty with India based on seasonal flow patterns. Pushing for regional cooperation on joint river basin management, integrating water flow data sharing, early warning systems, and disaster mitigation strategies.
Investing in alternative irrigation systems such as solar-powered groundwater pumps, rainwater harvesting, and drought-resistant crops. Dredging and revitalizing domestic river channels to restore navigability and water retention. Creating a regional climate and water resilience alliance among South Asian countries affected by transboundary river issues.
“The Yunus government has a historic opportunity to lead with vision and diplomacy,” Professor Majumdar added. “Water should not be a weapon-it must be a shared right.”
As climate change continues to intensify water-related challenges across the subcontinent, the time for passive negotiation is over. Bangladesh must move decisively to secure its water future-before it dries up completely or drowns again, M Zakir Hossain Khan added.