The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has once again rejected reports that flooding in some areas of Bangladesh was caused by the opening of the dam gates on the Gumti river in Tripura. The Centre said the report is “not factually correct” and its “narrative is misleading”, adding that it “ignores facts” issued by the Indian government.
Addressing a press conference today, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “We have seen CNN’s report on the flood situation in Bangladesh. Its story is misleading and suggests that India is somehow responsible for the floods. It is factually incorrect and ignores facts mentioned in the press releases issued by the Government of India to clarify the situation.” Mr Jaiswal was responding to media queries on whether the floods in south-east Bangladesh were caused by the opening of a dam on the Gumti river in Tripura.
“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,” he said.
Bangladesh is grappling with devastating floods due to incessant monsoon rains and swollen rivers, which have killed at least 23 people. 11 districts have been inundated and a large part of a city with a population of about 1.5 million people is now submerged. Meanwhile, reports in foreign media have claimed that the floods in Bangladesh were caused by the opening of a dam in India’s northeastern state, a claim the Center has twice denied.
What did the CNN report say?
A report published by CNN claims that people in Feni, a town in southeastern Bangladesh, blame Indian authorities for the situation. According to the report, dozens of people in Feni – which is just a few miles from the Indian border – accused New Delhi of releasing water from the Dumbur dam in neighbouring Tripura without warning.
Centre’s statement on claim of flood in Bangladesh
The Centre had earlier clarified that the floods in the eastern districts of the neighbouring country were not caused by the opening of the dam gates on the Gumti river in Tripura.
The Foreign Ministry acknowledged that “the catchment areas of the Gumti river flowing through India and Bangladesh have received the heaviest rainfall of the year in the last few days”, but said the flooding in Bangladesh was mainly due to water coming from lower catchment areas.
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“Dumbur Dam is located quite far from the border – 120 km upstream from Bangladesh. It is a low height dam (about 30 metres) which generates power and feeds it into the grid and Bangladesh also receives 40 MW power from Tripura,” the ministry had said.
“Heavy rains have been continuing throughout Tripura and the neighbouring districts of Bangladesh since 21st August. The data on the worsening situation has been sent to Bangladesh till 1500 hrs on 21st August. At 1800 hrs, power supply was disrupted due to floods, which disrupted communication… We tried to maintain communication through other means…”
“The two countries share 54 common trans-boundary rivers, so river water cooperation is an important part of our bilateral relations. We are committed to resolving issues and mutual concerns in water resources and river water management through bilateral consultations and technical discussions,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.
It said that floods in common rivers between India and Bangladesh are a common problem causing problems to people on both sides and close mutual cooperation is required for its solution.
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