Bangladesh is one of the worst victims of global climate change impacts. On the one hand, climate change is causing excess rainfall before the monsoon here, while on the other hand, most of the country’s rivers and canals are being filled up, causing decline in their navigability. All these are leading to post-flood severe waterlogging. In such a situation, the Bangladesh Water Development Board says that floods are likely in the northern part of the country in the middle of this month. Disasters like floods have a devastating effect on the lives and livelihoods of the common people of Bangladesh. Therefore, it is important to take precautionary measures to deal with floods from now on.
The flood situation in India, especially in Howrah and Hooghli, has worsened. There is a new risk of heavy rains there. At least 50 villages were swept away by floods in Assam last June, according to media reports. If new floods occur in Assam, Meghalaya, Bihar and India opens the Bangladesh-bound dams in Farakka, it will be a cause of great danger for us.
According to research on the current causes of floods in Bangladesh, the construction of about 500 barrages and hydropower plants in the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Teesta basins by China, India and Nepal is disrupting the normal flow of water. If the flood in those upstream countries lasts for 10 days, it will take more than a month in Bangladesh. Because, Bangladesh is a downstream country. Moreover, a significant number of rivers originate outside the country’s land borders. Therefore, constructive initiatives should be taken in association with the neighbouring countries, especially India and Nepal, to keep the flows of common rivers normal.
Apart from the northern part of the country, the southern region is also suffering waterlogging problems in several parts. Most of the lowlands there are now waterlogged. There is a risk of river erosion as an additional danger. Therefore, short- and long-term preparations and plans have to be taken to deal with the flood situation. Floods are creating waterlogging due to unplanned roads and installations. By protecting the navigability of the rivers, it is possible to control the level of flood and prevent erosion.
It is not possible for humans to prevent natural disasters, but it may be possible to reduce the level of damage by taking preparations in advance. The navigability of the country’s rivers has decreased. There has been a massive spread of floodplains. This is causing more floods with less water. The country has built flood control dams in the last 50 years, but the government has not been successful in maintaining them, which is the biggest problem. In this case, as there is a lack of proper management, there are also issues such as not being able to prevent irregularities and corruption. It is important to keep the rivers free from encroachment and pollution. But the question remains as to why we are not able to ensure that. If we can work together properly and without corruption for the purpose of flood management including river governance and construction of dams, it will be possible to reduce the incidence of floods.
