The External Affairs Ministry has said that the opening of Farakka barrage gates allowing the flow of water downstream of the river in its natural course into the Ganga and Padma rivers is normal seasonal development. In a response to media queries regarding the opening of the gates of Farakka barrage, the Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, it takes place due to increased inflow from heavy rainfall in the Ganga river basin catchment areas. He said that Farakka is only a barrage and not a dam and whenever water level reaches the pond level, whatever inflow comes that passes. He said, it is merely a structure to divert 40 thousand cusecs of water into the Farakka canal that is carefully done using a system of gates on the main Ganga and Padma rivers, while the balanced water flows into the main river to Bangladesh. Mr Jaiswal said, as per protocol, it is shared with the concerned Joint River Commission officials in Bangladesh on a regular and timely basis. He said, the Ministry has seen fake videos, rumours and fear-mongering to create misunderstanding, which should be firmly countered with facts.