How Bihar’s Water Shortage Could Affect Bangladesh’s Ganga Supply

The Ganga water‑sharing agreement directly links Indian upstream states with downstream Bangladesh, which depends on the river’s flow during dry months. Bihar’s recent demand for stricter control over water extraction in the upper catchment could reshape the volume reaching Farakka and, consequently, the amount delivered to Bangladesh.

If the review enforces tighter caps on water use in the Himalayan and sub‑Himalayan areas, the river’s discharge at the Farakka barrage may decline further. Bangladesh, which relies on this flow for irrigation, fisheries and drinking water, could face heightened scarcity in the upcoming dry season.

Sudhakar Singh warned that the review must balance Bihar’s flood‑management needs with Bangladesh’s seasonal water requirements. He urged the centre to consider a basin‑wide formula that allocates water based on actual flow, rather than fixed percentages, to avoid jeopardising bilateral relations.

The potential shift underscores how intra‑Indian disputes over the Ganga can ripple across borders, influencing water security for millions of people in both countries.