China to provide flood-related information

The Chinese government will disseminate information regarding floods in the Brahmaputra river, which originated in China, he said at a press conference on his recent visit to china.

During his visit as the leader of a five-member delegation, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the two countries in this regard on February 27. Water Resources Minister Hafizuddin Ahmad and his Chinese counterpart Wang Su Chang singed the MoU.

At present, the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) of Bangladesh can provide flood forecast only three to four hours earlier, said the minister.

"With China providing the information such as rise in water level, we will be able to take precautionary measures to reduce flood-related risks and damage in the Brahmaputra basin," he said.

Hafizuddin said the Chinese water resource minister also agreed to provide various facilities for better planning and management of water resources, development of irrigation system, prevention of river erosion and control of floods.

Secretary of water resource ministry Syed Mohammad Zobayer and Director General of Water Development Board Sharif Rafiqul Islam were also present at the press briefing.