India has firmly rejected recent claims made by CNN that it was responsible for the severe flooding in Bangladesh, labeling the report as misleading and factually incorrect. The Indian government, through its Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), emphasized that flood management along cross-border rivers like the Gumti is a shared responsibility and not the result of actions taken by India alone.
During the weekly media briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal addressed the issue, asserting, “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 not correct and ignores the facts mentioned in the press statements issued by the Government of India clarifying the situation.”
Jaiswal highlighted the strong bilateral cooperation between India and Bangladesh in managing water resources. He pointed out that both nations regularly exchange data and critical information through established joint mechanisms, which are essential for addressing the challenges posed by their shared rivers.
India has earlier this week clarified that the recent flooding in Bangladesh was primarily due to heavy rainfall in the Gumti river’s catchment areas, which extend across both countries. And has also addressed concerns regarding the Dumbur dam, which was erroneously implicated in the flooding. Located over 120 kilometers upstream of Bangladesh, the Dumbur dam is a low-height structure, standing at around 30 meters, and its operations do not contribute to downstream flooding.
As reported in FinancialExpress.com previously, Dumbur dam is located quite far from the border—over 120km upstream of Bangladesh. It is a low-height (about 30m) dam that generates power that feeds into a grid, and from which Bangladesh also draws 40MW power from Tripura.
The water levels along the Gumti river are closely monitored at multiple observation points within India, ensuring accurate and timely data for flood management.
The MEA also reaffirmed India’s commitment to resolving water-related issues through close cooperation with Bangladesh. With 54 cross-border rivers shared between the two countries, maintaining strong bilateral ties and open communication is crucial for effective river management.
Sheikh Hasina and her presence in India
Addressing speculations surrounding the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, Jaiswal reiterated India’s earlier statement that she had arrived in India on short notice due to safety concerns. He added, “We have nothing further to add on the matter.”
India’s response underscores its commitment to factual reporting and the importance of collaboration with neighbouring countries to address shared challenges like flooding, while also maintaining transparency and accuracy in its communications.