• As an upstream country, India is required under international river law to inform downstream countries before releasing water, she says

Sky Desk:

Forest and Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan has called upon India to comply with the international river law, upholding a collaborative mentality with its neighboring countries.

Rizwana Hasan, also water resources adviser of the interim government, made the call while talking to reporters after inspecting the vulnerable embankments of Khowai in Habiganj on Friday.

As an upstream country, India is required under international river law to inform downstream countries before releasing water, especially in the absence of a specific agreement. However, this obligation was not upheld by India this time, she said.

“We have learned a lesson from this year’s flood. We will convey our message to our neighbor, India, urging it to inform us before releasing water through the common rivers,” said Rizwana Hasan.

According to the principles of international river law, a neighboring upstream country is required to inform its downstream neighbor before releasing water to minimise the loss of lives and property, she said.

Rizwana Hasan, also a seasoned environmentalist, said that her government will engage in discussions with India so that it ensures early warnings before releasing water from the shared rivers.

About the intensity of this year’s flood, she underscored the need for rescuing the country’s rivers from illegal occupiers before any excavation can take place.