Centre rejected viral claims linking the flood situation in east Bangladesh to the release of waters from a dam on Gumti River in Tripura. “We have seen concerns being expressed in Bangladesh that the current situation of flood in districts on the eastern borders of Bangladesh has been caused by opening of the Dumbur dam upstream of the Gumti River in Tripura…” Randhir Jaiswal, the official spokesperson, Ministry of External Affairs, said in a statement.
Bangladeshis Blame India For Massive Flooding
Why In News
- Centre rejected viral claims linking the flood situation in east Bangladesh to the release of waters from a dam on Gumti River in Tripura. “We have seen concerns being expressed in Bangladesh that the current situation of flood in districts on the eastern borders of Bangladesh has been caused by opening of the Dumbur dam upstream of the Gumti River in Tripura…” Randhir Jaiswal, the official spokesperson, Ministry of External Affairs, said in a statement.
Social Media Statements
- Notably, around 18 lakh people have been affected by floods in six districts of Bangladesh, while 3 million people have been stranded in eight districts. Meanwhile, social media in Bangladesh has been abuzz, with some users accusing India of causing the floods.
- “For the first time in generations, Bangladesh’s entire southeastern region is facing its worst flooding in history affecting millions of people. The cause? Indian authorities opened the gates of the Dumbur Reservoir in Tripura for the first time in three decades, releasing massive volumes of water into an already rain-soaked region,” said a user.
- “Could there have been flooding without India opening the Dumbur Reservoir gates? Perhaps yes, but on a significantly smaller scale. The sudden release of water from the dam has inundated the region to an extent it hasn’t experienced in generations,” another user added.
- “India has created an artificial flood in Bangladesh by releasing water from its dams and you still wonder why people hate India so much?” said a third user on X
Gumti River Between India Bangladesh
- Gumti River flows through the northeastern Indian state of Tripura before entering Bangladesh. Dumbur dam, located in Tripura, is situated more than 120 km upstream from the Bangladesh border, explained the MEA.
- However, the flood that caused the havoc in Bangladesh was due to water from those large catchments downstream of the dam, it added.
- It may be mentioned here, Bangladesh is currently going through a political crisis and has seen a rise in anti-India sentiments.
- Violent protests forced Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to flee to India. A segment of the people in Bangladesh believes that India helped Hasina stay in power. Therefore spreading g misinformation in such a situation becomes much easier for those with anti-India agendas.
- Jaiswal labelled the social media chatter as factually incorrect and pointed out that the flood in Bangladesh is due to large catchments downstream of the dam. The catchment areas of the Gumti River, which flows through both India and Bangladesh, experienced the heaviest rainfall of the year in recent days.
Viral Claims On Bangladesh Social Media Sites
- India-Bangladesh share 54 common cross-border rivers, river water cooperation is an important part of our bilateral engagement, Jaiswal noted.
- India is committed to mutually resolving such concerns through bilateral consultations and technical discussions.
- Some social media claims on Bangladesh suggested that India deliberately let water into Bangladesh after the collapse of the Sheikh Hasina government in the aftermath of the July-August violence.
- Hasina, currently seeking refuge in Delhi, was ousted on August 5 and had to flee the nation over security fears after a major student uprising.
Conclusion
- “We remain committed to resolving issues and mutual concerns in water resources and river water management through bilateral consultations and technical discussions,” the ministry said.
- Floods are humanitarian crises and not the time or situation for politics. India has conveyed to the people of Bangladesh that floods are a common problem and need a shared solution. It is only to be hoped that the people of Bangladesh don’t fall for the false propaganda being spread by forces inimical to India-Bangladesh relations.
