MEA Dismisses CNN’s “Misleading” Claims on India’s Role in Bangladesh Floods
In a recent statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India strongly refuted allegations made in a CNN report suggesting that India was responsible for the devastating floods in Bangladesh. The report, which stirred significant concern and misinformation, accused India of releasing water from the Dumbur dam in Tripura without warning, contributing to the flooding in Bangladesh’s Feni district.
During a media briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal addressed the claims, labeling the report as “misleading” and “factually not correct.” He emphasized that the narrative presented by CNN overlooked critical facts and ignored the longstanding cooperation between India and Bangladesh in managing shared water resources. "We have a regular and timely exchange of data and critical information between the two countries through existing joint mechanisms for water resources management," Jaiswal said, underscoring the collaborative efforts in place to mitigate such situations.
The controversy arose after CNN reported that residents of Feni, a town near the India-Bangladesh border, accused India of releasing water from the Dumbur dam without prior notice. According to the report, locals claimed that the sudden release of water exacerbated the already severe flooding caused by excessive monsoon rains. Shoriful Islam, a local volunteer, was quoted saying, "They opened the gate, but no information was given," reflecting the frustration and confusion among affected communities.
However, the Indian government clarified that the flooding was primarily due to unprecedented rainfall and that any water release from the dam was not intentional. The MEA highlighted that the heavy rains had caused a power outage and communication breakdown, which hindered the usual process of issuing warnings to downstream areas, including Bangladesh.
The CNN report’s implications were particularly troubling given the scale of the disaster in Bangladesh. According to the United Nations, more than 18 million people have been affected by the monsoon floods, with over 1.2 million families displaced. The worst-hit areas include the regions of Chattogram and Sylhet, where major rivers have surged above danger levels, leading to widespread destruction of homes, roads, and farmlands. The UN and UNICEF have reported significant damage to livelihoods, with many seeking refuge in temporary shelters.
Despite the challenging circumstances, India and Bangladesh have historically maintained a cooperative approach to managing their shared rivers. The MEA's swift response to the CNN report aimed to prevent any erosion of trust between the two nations and to ensure that the facts surrounding the flood situation are accurately represented.
The situation underscores the complexities of transboundary water management, particularly in a region prone to extreme weather events. Both India and Bangladesh continue to face the formidable challenge of balancing the needs and safety of their populations while managing the natural resources they share.
