External Affairs Ministry Slams CNN Report Blaming India For Floods In Bangladesh

New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of the Government of India on Friday slammed the CNN report on the flood situation in Bangladesh blaming India. Calling the report mischievous and misleading, the MEA spokesperson stated that the CNN report is factually incorrect and ignores the facts, while putting up a misleading narrative suggesting that India is somehow responsible for the floods. Notably, Bangladesh was hit by a massive flood, which killed at least 18 people in the country, while over 300,000 people were pushed to take shelter at shelter homes. Reportedly, over 5.2 million have been affected by the floods in Bangladesh.

Addressing media personnel, MEA spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal refuted certain media reports that allegedly made it appear that India was responsible for the floods in Bangladesh. Jaiswal said, “We have seen the CNN report on the flood situation in Bangladesh. Its misleading narrative suggests that India is somehow responsible for the floods.”

‘Factually Incorrect’: Randhir Jaiswal on CNN Report

“This is factually incorrect and ignores the facts mentioned in the press releases issued by the Government of India clarifying the situation. They have also ignored that we have a regular and timely exchange of data and critical information between the two countries through existing joint mechanisms for water resources management,” Randhir Jaiswal said of the broadcaster while referring to the press release by the ministry that targeted the misleading claim.

Slamming the US broadcaster report, the Ministry of External Affairs, in a press release earlier pointed out that misinformation is being spread regarding the floods and said such claims are factually inaccurate.

After the floods, misinformation was being spread through social media and some Bangladeshi media outlets, which appeared to blame India for the floods.

False claims of Tripura’s Gomati River’s Dumbur Dam releasing its water into Bangladesh, of water not being released automatically and misleading photographs with captions related to the floods, falsely holding India responsible for Bangladesh’s floods have spread on Bangladeshi social media platforms following the heavy rains.

Notably, several fact-check agencies countered reports in the foreign media claiming the flood situation in certain parts of Bangladesh has been caused by the opening of a dam on the Gomati River in Tripura. On fact-checking it has been found that certain sections of Western media used photos of a dam in South India to prove their false narrative of India causing floods in Bangladesh.

The reports come at a time when Hindus are being targeted in Bangladesh post Sheikh Hasina's exit. Bangladesh has remained on the boil with Hindus in the country facing major heat as the fundamental Islamic forces have a major say in power. The misleading anti-India reports are therefore causing more trouble in an already tense situation.

What CNN Report Claimed On Bangladesh Floods

Without doing any fact check, CNN has been brazenly feeding wrong information and pushing foreign agenda-based claims that the flood is caused after India opened dam gates.

A CNN journalist, while reporting on the Bangladesh flood situation, said, "India denies this… There has been no apology from India… Bangladesh has the best early warning systems, but no warning in this case.” Her claims lack credible evidence.  

But all these claims made by foreign media are wrong. India has categorically said that when the water level reaches a certain height, the dam gates automatically release the water.

A claim has been made by Sultan Mohammad Zakaria, Co-Founder, Bangladeshi Diaspora for Justice and Accountability and also an Amnesty member, on social media that the recent floods in Bangladesh have been caused by India. He also attached photos, and videos claiming them to be of Dumber Dam, however, a fact check showed these were photos of Srisailam Dam in Tripura.