India Rejects Claims of Flooding Due to Dumbur Dam Release
Amid the devastating floods in in the country that have impacted 1.8 million people and resulted in five fatalities, social media in Bangladesh erupted with accusations that India was responsible for the deluge. Specifically, some users claimed that the flooding was caused by India’s decision to open the Dumbur Dam on the Gumti River in Tripura. India, however, has firmly dismissed these allegations as baseless and factually incorrect.
Heavy Rainfall, Not Dumbur Dam, Behind Bangladesh Floods
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India clarified that the flooding in Bangladesh was primarily caused by heavy rainfall in the region, not by the release of water from the Dumbur Dam. The Gumti River, which flows through the northeastern Indian state of Tripura before entering the country, experienced significant rainfall, leading to the deluge downstream. The MEA explained that the Dumbur Dam, located more than 120 kilometers upstream from the Bangladesh border, could not have caused the flooding in the manner suggested by the false reports circulating online.
Fake News Fuels Anti-India Sentiments Amid Bangladesh’s Political Crisis
The flooding in Bangladesh has coincided with a period of political turmoil in the country, which has seen a rise in anti-India sentiments. Violent protests have forced Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to flee to India, with some segments of the population believing that India has played a role in keeping her in power. This political backdrop has made it easier for anti-India forces to spread misinformation, including the false narrative that India’s actions caused the recent floods.
MEA Emphasizes Bilateral Cooperation in Addressing Shared Flood Challenges
Despite the misinformation circulating on social media, India has reiterated its commitment to bilateral cooperation with Bangladesh in addressing shared challenges related to floods and river management. The MEA emphasized that floods in the common rivers between the two countries are a “shared” problem, affecting people on both sides of the border, and require close mutual cooperation to resolve. India has consistently provided real-time flood data to Bangladesh as part of a bilateral protocol, despite the challenges posed by power outages during the recent floods.
Bangladesh’s Heaviest Rains in Years Lead to Widespread Flooding
India’s MEA also highlighted that the recent flooding in Bangladesh was due to the heaviest rains the region has seen this year. The catchment areas of the Gumti River witnessed continuous heavy rainfall, which led to the automatic release of water from the dam. The Dumbur Dam, a low-height dam located over 120 kilometers upstream from Bangladesh, generates power and supplies 40MW to Bangladesh, but it could not have been the cause of the severe flooding downstream.
India Urges Caution Against Misinformation in Humanitarian Crises
The Ministry of External Affairs urged caution against the spread of false information during humanitarian crises like floods. It reiterated that floods are a common problem for both India and Bangladesh and should not be politicized. The ministry also called for continued bilateral consultations and technical discussions to address mutual concerns related to water resources and river management.
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