New Delhi, Aug 18 (UNI) Amid continuing stand-off at Doklam, China has so far withheld the crucial hydrological data on Brahmaputra and Sutlej rivers which it is mandated to share with India in accordance with an Expert Level mechanism set up in 2006. "China normally shares the hydrological data with India during the period of May 15 to October 15 every year. But this year it has not shared the data so far," a External Affairs Ministry spokesperson said here today. Replying to a question at the weekly media briefing, the spokesperson said it would be "premature’’ to link the two – Doklam standoff and failure of China to share hydrological data with India at a time when severe floods have ravaged large parts of Assam and other areas in the North-East. He said the frequency of data sharing normally varied from several times a day to daily basis during the specified period. The last meeting of the Expert Level mechanism had taken place in June 2016 and the two countries also have other mechanisms like MoUs in place for sharing of hydrological data. Official sources were inclined to believe that it was an ``unprecedented’’ stance of China failing to share all important hydrological data on water level, discharge and rainfall with India during the flood season. The Trans-border rivers flowing from China to India fall into two main groups -- the Brahmaputra river system on the Eastern side and the Indus river system on the Western side consisting of rivers Indus and Sutlej. In 2002, India and China had entered into a MoU for five years for provision of hydrological information on Brahmaputra river during flood season by China to India. In accordance with the provisions contained in the MoU, the Chinese side provided hydrological information -- water level, discharge and rainfall in respect of three stations, namely, Nugesha, Yangcun and Nuxia located on river Brahmaputra from June 1 to October 15 every year which had been utilized in the formulation of flood forecasts. The MoU was renewed in 2008 and against in 2013 and the implementation plan was also signed by both the countries in May 2013 in New Delhi. Another MoU on similar lines was signed during the visit of the Chinese Premier to India in April 2005 for providing hydrological information of one station Tsada on River Sutlej during flood season. Later, the MoU was renewed periodically, according to Water Resources Ministry sources. The two countries agreed in November 2006 to set up an Expert-Level Mechanism to discuss interaction and cooperation on provision of flood season hydrological data, emergency management and other issues regarding trans-border rivers as agreed between them. The 10th meeting of the Expert Level Mechanism between India and China was held during April 12-13 in New Delhi. UNI VT SW ADG 1811