Fact Check Shows Fake Photos, Videos Used To Blame India For Bangladesh Floods

New Delhi: Several fact check agencies have countered reports in foreign media claiming the flood situation in certain parts of Bangladesh has been caused by the opening of dam on the Gumti river in Tripura. On fact checking it has been found that the certain sections in 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 remain on boil with Hindus in the country facing major heat as the fundamental Islamic forces having a major say in power. The misleading anti-India reports are therefore causing more trouble in an already tense situation. 

Bangladesh flood situation: What CNN report claimed

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 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 releases the water. 

FACT: Telangana’s Srisailam Dam shown as Dumber Dam in Tripura 

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, videos claiming them to be of Dumber Dam, however, a fact check showed these were photos of Srisailam Dam in Tripura. 

Amnesty makes false claims

Mohammad Asadullah Al Galib, International Member, Amnesty International and Legal Graduate, from London University, has written to various world organisations including other members of the Amnesty, falsely claiming that India has caused floods in Bangladesh. 

In his letter, he wrote, “…I am writing to urgently bring to your attention a critical issue concerning India's transboundary water management practices and their severe impact on Bangladesh. The mismanagement and illegal operation of water resources by India, including the Farakka Barrage and other related projects, have caused significant harm to the environment and the lives of millions of people in Bangladesh…”

Amnesty International claims lack credible evidence: The Hague

Linda van der Zwaan, Legal Head GHRD, The Hague and EU Advisor Fake News, has said that the claims made by Amnesty International lacks credible evidence and could be considered as spreading misinformation regarding the water problems in Bangladesh. 

“I am writing to express my deep concern regarding your organization's recent claims about the water management practices of India and their alleged impact on Bangladesh. Your statements seem to lack credible evidence and could be considered as spreading misinformation regarding the water problems in Bangladesh.”

“Such unfounded claims have the potential to incite hatred and violence against minorities in Bangladesh, particularly against Hindus and Buddhists. This is especially alarming given the current situation, where there have been increased incidents targeting these groups as a reaction to the misinformation being circulated.”

“We urge you to either provide concrete evidence from experts that supports your claims that India is responsible for these water management issues or to publicly retract these statements. Failure to do so may compel us to consider legal action against Amnesty International for spreading false information and contributing to hate against minorities.”

“We hope for a prompt response to this urgent matter.”

MEA debunks false claims on India causing Bangladesh floods  

In an official response, the MEA said, “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. This is factually not correct.”

“We would like to point out that the catchment areas of Gumti river that flows through India and Bangladesh have witnessed heaviest rains of this year over the last few days.”

“The flood in Bangladesh is primarily due to waters from these large catchments downstream of the dam. The Dumbur dam is located quite far from the border - over 120 Km 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.”

“Along the about 120 Km river course we have three water level observation sites at Amarpur, Sonamura and Sonamura 2.  Heavy rainfall has been continuing since 21 August in the whole of Tripura and adjoining districts of Bangladesh. In the event of heavy inflow, automatic releases have been observed.”

“Amarpur station is in part of a bilateral protocol under which we are transmitting realtime flood data to Bangladesh.”

“Data showing rising trend has been supplied to Bangladesh upto 1500 hrs on 21 August 2024. At 1800 hrs, due to flooding, there was power outage leading to problems of communication. Still, we have tried to maintain communication through other means created for urgent transmission of data.”

“Floods on the common rivers between India and Bangladesh are a shared problem inflicting sufferings to people on both sides, and requires close mutual cooperation towards resolving them.”

“As two countries sharing 54 common cross-border rivers, river water cooperation is an important part of our bilateral engagement. We remain committed to resolving issues and mutual concerns in water resources and river water management through bilateral consultations and technical discussions.”

In response to media queries regarding Farakka barrage, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “We have seen media reports of the opening of Farakka barrage gates that will allow the flow of over 11 lakh cusecs of water downstream of the river in its natural course into the Ganga/Padma river.”

“This is a normal seasonal development that takes place due to increased inflow from heavy rainfall in the Ganga river basin catchment areas upstream.”

“It is to be understood that Farakka is only a barrage and not a dam. Whenever, water level reaches the pond level, whatever inflow comes that passes. It is merely a structure to divert 40,000 cusecs of water into the Farakka canal that is carefully done using a system of gates on the main Ganga/Padma river, while the balance water flows into the main river to Bangladesh.”

“Data, as per protocol, is shared with the concerned Joint River Commission officials in Bangladesh on a regular and timely basis. It has been done this time as well.”

“We have seen fake videos, rumours and fear mongering to create misunderstanding. This should be firmly countered with facts.”