Bangladesh's Padma Barrage and South Asia's Evolving River Water Dynamics
Bangladesh has approved the Padma Barrage, a major river-control project aimed at addressing seasonal water scarcity in its southwest. The barrage will store significant water volumes and serve millions, but it lies downstream of India's Farakka Barrage, which has long affected Bangladesh's river flows. The 1996 Ganges Water Treaty between India and Bangladesh, governing water sharing, expires in 2026 amid ongoing negotiations. Meanwhile, dam-building activities by China and India upstream raise concerns about regional water security and cooperation.