Even though India has vehemently denied any responsibility for the recent Bangladesh floods, American news outlets like CNN continue an outright fake news campaign against the Narendra Modi-led government, reiterating the groundless charges. New Delhi cautions against such fake news, saying both countries should address the flood issue through cooperative efforts.
Leftist news outlets like CNN also persist in promoting the false narrative that Bangladeshis are blaming India. This smear campaign has continued even after India provided contradicting evidence on August 26, 2024.
India EAM Cautions Against Fake News
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal addressed the issue at a press conference: “We have observed the spread of false videos, rumours, and fear-mongering designed to create misunderstandings. Such misinformation should be countered with factual information.”
Jaiswal further explained that documents related to the Farakka Barrage have been regularly shared with Bangladesh’s Joint River Commission officials.
He noted, “We’ve seen media reports claiming that the gates of the Farakka Barrage have been opened, allowing over 1.1 million cusecs of water to flow downstream into the Ganga/Padma river.”
In response to media inquiries about the floods in Bangladesh, Jaiswal elaborated on the Barrage’s function: “It is important to understand that the Farakka is a barrage, not a dam. It only diverts up to 40,000 cusecs of water into the Farakka Canal through a system of gates, while the remaining water continues to flow into the main river, reaching Bangladesh.”
Last week, India similarly rejected claims that floods in parts of Bangladesh were caused by opening a dam on the Gumti River in Tripura. New Delhi called those reports factually incorrect, reiterating that floods affecting shared rivers are a common issue for both countries and should be addressed through cooperative efforts.
However, CNN has been promoting the fake narrative that “India did not issue any warnings about these developments” since the floods began.
Nearly 5 million people are impacted by floods in Bangladesh, triggering a nationwide volunteering effort with people arriving from Dhaka and other parts of the country to lend a hand with rescues and delivering aid.
CNN's @amcoren reports from Feni pic.twitter.com/uRdsM8Akb1
— CNN International PR (@cnnipr) August 26, 2024
Despite the External Affairs Ministry of India’s refutation on 27 August 2024, CNN continued to circulate sorrowful videos under the title “Millions in this country are stranded by flooding. Many blame their neighbour.” This approach appears to be a deliberate attempt to undermine India’s international reputation. Flooding in Bangladesh generally starts around June and can last through October, coinciding with the monsoon season, bringing heavy rains and increasing river water levels annually. Yet, this time, American media seems intent on shifting the blame for these natural events onto India, seemingly with ulterior motives.
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