India on Friday rejected a report that suggested its involvement in Bangladesh floods through opening of Farakka Barrage gates, saying the report is misleading and factually incorrect. It said the report ignores regular and timely exchange of data and critical information between the two countries. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “We have seen the CNN report on the flood situation in Bangladesh. Its story is misleading and suggests that India is somehow responsible for the floods. It is not factually correct and ignores facts mentioned in the press release issued by the Indian government on the situation. They have also ignored that there is regular and timely exchange of data and critical information between the two countries through the existing joint mechanisms for water resources management.”
India’s reaction came after CNN reported that Bangladesh was going through the worst floods in history – with several districts submerged and large parts of Feni town under water, for which people blamed Indian authorities. Dozens of Bangladeshis accused India of releasing water from the Dumbur dam in neighbouring Tripura without any warning, the report said. India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma told Bangladesh’s interim government that the automatic release was caused by high water levels in the dam, according to interim government press secretary Shafiqul Alam.
India had earlier termed similar reports as factually incorrect. Jaiswal on Monday rejected reports in Bangladesh that claimed the flooding in Bangladesh was caused by the opening of the Farakka barrage. “We have seen fake videos, rumours and fear mongering to create misconceptions. This must be strongly countered with facts,” he said. Describing it as a normal seasonal development, Jaiswal said it is a normal seasonal development caused by increased inflows from heavy rainfall in the Ganga river basin catchment areas.” The spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs responded to media queries on the matter and explained that Farakka is just a barrage, not a dam, it can only restrict the movement of water up to the pond level, which the water will pass if it crosses.
#WATCH | Delhi: On reports regarding floods in Bangladesh, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says, “… We have seen the CNN report on the flood situation in Bangladesh. Its narrative is misleading and suggests that India is somehow responsible for the floods. This is factually… pic.twitter.com/N2pcIuDMJl
— ANI (@ANI) August 30, 2024
