New Delhi: An Indian television journalist reporting on the deadly floods that have swept northern India has defended his decision to file a report while perched on a survivor's shoulders.

Narayan Pargaien, who works for the local News Express channel, told Indian media website newslaundry.com that the criticism he has faced since the video was posted online was unfair.

"People are talking about us being inhuman and wrong but we were actually helping some of the victims there," Mr Pargaien said.

The reporter claimed that the slight man who carried him, who can be seen wobbling under the strain while standing in ankle-high water, had hoisted him onto his shoulders as a sign of respect.