Question : FOREIGN ASSISTANCE FOR FLOOD CONTROL

(a) whether the Government has sought foreign assistance from China and Bhutan to control floods by Brahmaputra in Assam and other States; and

(b) if so, the details of assistance sought and the response of these countries thereto?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES (SMT. BIJOYA CHAKRAVARTY)

(a) & (b) The Government of India has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Government of China in January, 2002, for provision of hydrological information namely rainfall, water level, discharge and other relevant information on Yaluzangbu/Brahmaputra river in respect of 3 stations, namely, Nugesha, Yangcun and Nuxia in flood season by China to India. The information will be furnished from 1st June to 15th October every year and will be useful for flood forecasting purposes in the North Eastern Region. The Chinese side has also agreed to provide this hydrological information if water level exceeds mutually agreed levels during the non-flood season. China has further agreed to provide information on a real time basis on abnormal rise/fall in the water level/discharge and other information which might lead to sudden floods on the basis of existing monitoring and data collection facilities.


As a follow up of this MOU, an Implementation Plan has also been signed, in pursuance of which the Chinese side has started transmitting data on rainfall, water level and discharge to India for above 3 stations since 1st June, 2002. China has also supplied the historical data for the last ten years.


As regards Bhutan, a scheme titled “Comprehensive Scheme for Establishment of Hydro-meteorological and Flood Forecasting Network on rivers common to India and Bhutan” is in operation since 1979. The network consists of 35 hydro meteorological/meteorological stations located in Bhutan and being maintained by Royal Government of Bhutan with funding from India. The data received from these stations is utilised in India by Central Water Commission for formulating the flood forecasts.


Further, the Government of India have also taken up the matter with the Royal Govt. of Bhutan relating to the problem of floods created by rivers originating from Bhutan and have proposed to set up a Joint Team of Experts for Flood Forecasting, Prevention and Management with the representatives of the Ministry of Water Resources and concerned State Governments. The response of the Bhutanese side to the proposal is awaited.