In recent days, several districts in eastern Bangladesh have been submerged due to heavy monsoon rains, leading to significant flooding and affecting millions of people. Amidst the devastation, a debate has emerged, both within Bangladesh and on social media, regarding the cause of the floods. Many claim that the flooding was artificially exacerbated by India opening dams and barrages near the border, particularly the Dumbur Dam in the Indian state of Tripura, which sits on the Gomati River flowing into Bangladesh.
The floods coincide with a period of political instability in Bangladesh, following the resignation of the former Prime Minister, who has since taken refuge in India. The political tension has only heightened the blame game, with some accusing India of intentionally releasing water to worsen the flooding. Videos circulating online have been used to support these claims, although they have been fact-checked and shown to be misleading.
Experts argue that while the monsoon rains have been severe, contributing significantly to the flooding, the accusations of India deliberately releasing water from the Dumbur Dam to flood Bangladesh are not substantiated. The dam is located over 120 kilometers upstream from the Bangladesh border, and the water released was reportedly due to safety protocols as the reservoir reached capacity. Claims that gates were opened manually, as opposed to automatic releases, have also been debunked with evidence showing old videos being misattributed to current events.
Water disputes are not new in South Asia, where shared river systems often lead to cross-border tensions, especially during the monsoon season. Similar accusations have been made between India and Pakistan regarding the Indus River and between India and Nepal over the Koshi and Mahakali rivers. Experts emphasize the need for better cooperation and agreements between neighboring countries to manage these vital water resources and mitigate the impact of floods.
As Bangladesh continues to recover from the recent flooding, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department warns that conditions could persist if the monsoon rains do not abate. The situation underscores the broader challenges faced by the country as one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable nations, where millions are at risk of flooding each year.