Bangladesh scrambling as Ganges water treaty with India nears expiry, putting millions of livelihoods at risk

Bangladesh faces an impending water crisis as the Ganges treaty with India nears its expiration. The 1996 treaty governing water sharing expires on December 12, leaving millions of livelihoods at risk. Many farmers in the parched Barind region have witnessed the drying up of the Ganges, now reduced to a trickle in several months.

This shortage has led to crop failures, forcing some farmers to commit suicide due to financial ruin. The shrinking river flow has also impacted fish catches, vital for the local communities. The 2,525-kilometre Ganges flows through the world's most populous river basin, home to 655 million people, including over 50 million in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh's Prime Minister Tarique Rahman may visit India before the treaty expires, but no confirmation has been made. The treaty's renewal is crucial to ensure a sustainable water supply amidst increasing demands due to climate change and population growth.