The government on Friday rejected a US media report holding India responsible for the flood situation in neighbouring Bangladesh as "misleading" and "factually incorrect".

"We have seen the (US media house) report on the flood situation in Bangladesh. Its narrative is misleading and suggests that India is somehow responsible for the floods. This is factually not correct and ignores the facts mentioned in the press releases issued by the Government of India clarifying the situation," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.

"They have also ignored that we have regular and timely exchange of data and critical information between the two countries through existing joint mechanisms for water resources management," he added.

WHAT DID THE REPORT SAY?

The report claimed that dozens of people in Feni -- which is only a few miles from the Indian border -- have blamed New Delhi for releasing water from the Dumbur dam in Tripura state with no warning.

"Bangladesh lives on its rivers and waterways — its people relying on the vital life source for fishing and farming rice paddies. The country is also well-acquainted with flooding and cyclones — especially in recent years, as scientists say human-caused climate change exacerbates extreme weather events. But this flood took them by surprise – and people here blame officials in India," the report claimed.

"They opened the gate, but no information was given," the report quoted an IT worker who returned to his hometown from the capital Dhaka to volunteer in rescue efforts as saying.

Bangladesh is currently facing a harsh monsoon season that has severely affected over 18 million people. According to the United Nations, more than 1.2 million families are trapped due to the widespread flooding and relentless rains.

"Over 18 million people in Bangladesh have been affected by severe monsoon conditions, with more than 1.2 million families trapped as flash floods submerge vast areas of the country's east and southeast," UN News Service said in a post on X.

Source: India Today