New Delhi: In the midst of a natural disaster exacerbating the ongoing political crisis in Bangladesh, the country’s interim government has accused India of contributing to severe flooding by opening the Farakka Barrage in West Bengal. The floods have left large parts of Bangladesh in dire straits, with the government struggling to manage the worsening situation. However, India has categorically denied these allegations, calling them baseless and fuelled by misinformation.
Speaking at a media briefing, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal dismissed reports from Bangladesh that claimed the Farakka Barrage was responsible for the floods. “We have seen fake videos, rumours, and panic-mongering aimed at creating misunderstandings,” Jaiswal stated. He emphasised that India had informed Bangladesh in advance about the rise in water levels, a standard practice followed in previous years as well.
Jaiswal clarified the function of the Farakka Barrage, explaining that it is a barrage and not a dam, thereby limiting its capacity to influence water levels significantly. “When the water level reaches the pond level, any excess water is carefully diverted into the Farakka canal, which can handle up to 40,000 cusecs. The remaining water flows naturally into the Ganga/Padma river system and subsequently into Bangladesh,” he elaborated.
The Ministry of External Affairs also highlighted that flooding in shared river systems is a mutual issue between India and Bangladesh, one that requires cooperative efforts to manage effectively. The Indian government’s response comes after numerous claims on social media from verified accounts in Bangladesh, suggesting that India was to blame for the flooding.
In a statement, India’s Foreign Ministry urged both nations to focus on collaboration rather than blame, reiterating that flood management is a shared responsibility. The ministry underscored the importance of tackling this common problem through joint efforts rather than allowing misinformation to create further divisions.
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