Can India release water into Bangladesh without permission?

Various areas of Cumilla, Feni, Khagrachari and Chattogram districts are experiencing severe flooding, unprecedented in the past 41 years. The region is submerged, communication systems are down, and there have been reports of both casualties and property damage.
Normal rainfall should not cause such catastrophic conditions. The current disaster is largely attributed to water being released from India's Dambur Dam in Tripura, which was done in the dead of night. This action mirrors a similar incident of 1984. Questions arise about India's adherence to international laws and whether it was ever held accountable for such actions.
The floods inflict extensive damage on agriculture, fisheries, and infrastructure, costing the region thousands of crores of taka. The government representatives, instead of providing aid, have merely offered token relief such as puffed rice, with grand promises that remain unfulfilled. The lack of permanent solutions is glaring.
Repeated promises by local government officials and MPs to build a durable dam on the Muhuri River-a significant source of regional suffering-have yet to be realised. The delay in constructing these necessary dams raises concerns among people.
The flood situation in Feni worsens by the minute as water levels rise due to unannounced releases from India. Roads are impassable, communication is cut off, and many areas are without electricity. Public life is in chaos, and forecasts predict worsening conditions.
Millions are stranded, cut off from rest of the district. Despite the efforts of voluntary organisations, the response has been inadequate. These groups lack the essential equipment and resources needed for effective disaster management, unlike state agencies.
Residents are enduring extreme conditions, with homes submerged and water levels reaching neck-high in some places. The immediate priority must be saving lives rather than focusing solely on relief distribution. High-rise buildings and public institutions should be opened to the affected people in this crisis.
The deployment of skilled forces like the Army, Fire Service, and Coast Guard is urgently needed to manage the disaster. Without prompt and decisive action, the region faces a catastrophe.

Emran Emon
A researcher
[email protected]