**Executive Summary**
This document presents the Indian government's response to Starred Question No. *84 in Lok Sabha, answered on February 5, 2026, concerning cooperation on flood management and ecosystem protection with neighboring countries. It outlines existing bilateral institutional arrangements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) related to flood forecasting, early warning systems, river pollution control, and data sharing. The document primarily informs the House about the current state of affairs and future directions.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **General Framework:**
* Government has existing bilateral institutional arrangements with neighboring countries sharing common upstream and downstream river systems.
* Arrangements involve cooperation on flood forecasting & early warning systems and other water resources matters, including river pollution control.
* **Bangladesh:**
* Since 1972, arrangements exist for transmission of flood-related data (water level, discharge, rainfall) for identified stations on various rivers.
* Data transmitted via wireless, email, and a WhatsApp group.
* The Flood Forecasting Centre of Bangladesh provides flood-related data of three rivers to the Central Flood Control Room of Irrigation & Waterways Department, Govt of West Bengal.
* Water resources issues, including pollution, are discussed in Technical Level Meetings (TLM) under the India-Bangladesh Joint Rivers Commission framework.
* State Government representatives participate in bilateral discussions and address pollution issues in specific rivers.
* **Bhutan:**
* A Joint Expert Team (JET) exists for collecting and transmitting hydro-meteorological data from 36 stations on trans-border rivers.
* The data is used in India for flood forecasts.
* A Joint Group of Experts (JGE) and a Joint Technical Team (JTT) exist to address flood management in the southern foothills of Bhutan.
* State Government representatives from West Bengal and Assam are members of the JGE and JTT.
* Mechanisms address dolomite mining and industrial effluents affecting river water quality.
* **China:**
* An Expert-Level Mechanism (ELM) addresses flood season hydrological data, emergency management, and other trans-border river issues.
* ELM meetings are held alternately between India and China.
* MoUs were signed with China for transmitting hydrological information (Water Level, Discharge and Rainfall) of stations on the Yaluzangbu/Brahmaputra River and River Sutlej during flood season.
* **Nepal:**
* There is an existing Indo-Nepal bilateral three-tier mechanism to address bilateral cooperation in water resources.
* Hydro-meteorological data from stations in Nepal is used for flood forecasting activities in border States of India.
* **Regional Cooperation:**
* The India Meteorological Department (IMD) cooperates and shares data with neighboring countries and regional bodies (SAHF, SAARC, BIMSTEC) to support flood forecasting, early warning systems, and hydro-meteorological cooperation.
* **Data Management:**
* Data collected are stored, managed, and made available in standardized formats compatible with global climate models.
**Impact Analysis**
**Minister of Jal Shakti**
* **Impact:** Required to provide details regarding the government's initiatives on flood management and ecosystem protection with neighboring countries.
* **Action Required:** To ensure the statement is laid on the Table of the House.
**State Governments of Border States**
* **Impact:** Involved in negotiations, implementation, and monitoring of MoUs and bilateral arrangements, particularly regarding data sharing and pollution control.
* **Action Required:** To actively participate in relevant meetings, discussions, and data sharing initiatives with neighboring countries.
**Citizens Residing in Flood-Prone Areas**
* **Impact:** Potentially benefit from improved flood forecasting, early warning systems, and ecosystem protection efforts, leading to reduced loss of life and property.
* **Action Required:** None explicitly stated in the document, but implied benefits depend on effective implementation of the mentioned arrangements.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Jal Shakti: The primary ministry responsible for the policy regarding cooperation on flood management and ecosystem protection.
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU): Refers to agreements with neighboring countries for cooperation on flood forecasting, data sharing, and river pollution control.
India-Bangladesh Joint Rivers Commission framework: A framework for addressing water resources related matters with Bangladesh, including pollution control.
Joint Group of Experts (JGE): A group constituted to deliberate matters related to flood management in the southern foothills of Bhutan and adjoining plains in India.
Indo-Nepal bilateral three tier mechanisms: A framework 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.
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.
1STATEMENT 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.
2These 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 data-
sharing 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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