Bangladesh faces a significant risk of flooding due to its geographical location.
The geographical location of the country and the features of the land primarily influence the occurrence of floods.
Although Bangladesh is a riverine country, the rivers have limited capacity.
During the rainy season, the water levels rise, causing the river banks to break and the water to spread to the surrounding areas.
However, it is worth noting that most of Bangladesh consists of flat plains. As the rivers flow through these plains, the flood water spreads rapidly and gathers in the low-lying areas.
The weather in Bangladesh is characterized by heavy rainfall during the monsoon season.
Heavy rain is most common between June and September, leading to frequent flooding. The flow of melted water from the Himalayas into Bangladesh’s rivers has led to an increase in floods.
Human activities have contributed to recent floods in addition to natural causes.
Engaging in activities such as unauthorized forest clearing and illegally constructing structures on the river can have detrimental effects on the river’s natural course and significantly raise the risk of flooding.
The impact of floods in Bangladesh is significant when considering the environmental, social, and economic aspects.
Devastating floods tragically affect a significant number of people every year, causing them to lose their homes, properties, and even their lives.
Floods can have a devastating impact on crops, leading to a significant reduction in agricultural production. The floods had a significant effect on the local economy. Knowing that flood water can carry various diseases and pose substantial health risks is essential.
Many people are asking: Are the neighboring countries somehow responsible for the floods in Bangladesh?
However, this question is intricate and has no straightforward solution. India and Bangladesh have had an ongoing disagreement regarding the shared river.
Bangladesh shares 54 rivers with India and has built several dams and barrages on them. There are a variety of dams, including significant dams and barrages.
Various factors contribute to the floods in Bangladesh, and neighbouring countries also have a part to play in this situation.
Several rivers in Bangladesh originate in India’s highlands. Activities such as dam construction, reservoir construction, or upstream deforestation can have a negative impact on the flood situation in lower Bangladesh.
The Farakka Dam is situated on the Ganges River in the Indian state of West Bengal, impacting the Padma River in Bangladesh.
The Teesta Barrage is located on the Teesta River, which runs through the Indian states of Sikkim, West Bengal, and northern Bangladesh.
Another significant barrage on the Teesta River is the Ghazaldoba Barrage on the Indian side. In addition, various dams and barrages of different sizes are located on the same rivers in both countries.
It can be difficult to determine the exact number of dams due to their distribution across the Indian side, the Bangladeshi side, and the international border.
The two countries have signed numerous agreements, but they still need to complete a comprehensive solution for using the river.
In 1996, we signed the Ganga River Water Sharing Agreement. We reached an agreement regarding the distribution of Ganges water during the dry season.
Unfortunately, this agreement could not address all of the issues at hand. The two countries are also discussing other rivers, such as the Teesta, in addition to the Ganges. However, the two countries have yet to reach a lasting agreement regarding these rivers.
An issue arose from India’s construction of the Farakka Barrage on the Ganges River, which decreased Bangladesh’s water supply.
For many years, the ongoing dispute between the two countries over this barrage has persisted. Despite numerous discussions between the two countries regarding the distribution of Teesta River water, they have yet to make a decision.
In addition to the Ganga and Teesta, several other rivers have ongoing water-sharing disputes between the two countries.
Given the current situation, it is worth noting that climate change is affecting river flows and water levels, adding to the complexity of water distribution issues.
In addition, water demand has also risen due to the growing populations of both countries, leading to heightened competition for water distribution.
Once again, the river agreements significantly shape the political relations between the two countries.
During monsoons, the drainage from dams located upstream in India poses a risk of flooding in Bangladesh’s low-lying areas. However, this flood poses a challenge for both countries.
The activities taking place upstream in India are likely to have an impact on Bangladesh. However, it is critical to consider that Bangladesh’s own geography and other factors contribute to the occurrence of floods.
Bangladesh and India have multiple agreements regarding river sharing, which is why they are addressing this issue constructively.
However, timely and proper implementation of these agreements can also add complexity to the flood situation.
Collaboration and transparency are essential to addressing this situation. Cooperation between Bangladesh and India is critical in addressing the flooding problem.
It would benefit both countries to share information regarding river water levels and the condition of dams. Both countries should consider implementing a comprehensive water management plan. Both countries need to collaborate to address the impacts of climate change.
Bangladesh needs to take some important and strategic steps to deal with the current flood situation.
These measures can be both short- and long-term. Short-term measures are primarily used to prepare for, during, and immediately after a flood.
These steps include raising public awareness by improving weather forecasting and warning systems; ensuring the supply of food, water, and medicine by establishing temporary shelters in flood-affected areas; preventing the outbreak of water-borne diseases by ensuring the supply of clean water; and ensuring healthcare by opening mobile hospitals in flood-affected areas.
To achieve this, we should arrange for the rehabilitation of affected families after the flood, provide compensation for affected farmers, and assist in restoring agricultural production by supplying new seeds, among other measures.
Implementing effective strategies to prevent river erosion, enhancing river management through dredging and conservation efforts, mitigating the impact of floods by constructing and maintaining dams in flood-prone regions, creating reservoirs to store excess water during monsoons, preserving forests to prevent deforestation, utilising advanced technology for flood forecasting and warning systems, raising public awareness about floods, training local volunteers in flood control measures, and fostering international cooperation with neighbouring countries for river management and flood control are all crucial long-term measures.
Furthermore, we can implement additional measures to tackle the flood situation. For instance, it would be beneficial to enforce strict regulations on building construction in flood-prone areas, provide farmers with crop and housing insurance, and invest in research and development to foster innovative technologies and flood management strategies.
Collaborative efforts and sustainable initiatives are crucial in addressing the flood issue in Bangladesh.
When implementing effective measures, it is critical to take into account both natural and man-made factors.
Implementing river management strategies, constructing dams and reservoirs, conserving forests, improving drainage systems, developing weather forecasting and warning systems, promoting education and awareness, and fostering international cooperation are crucial steps to address this issue. Local community participation and international cooperation are essential for success.
Addressing the flood problem necessitates the government taking an active role and the public becoming more aware of the issue.
The goal of tackling this disaster and making the country flood-free is within reach. We can make a significant difference with the combined efforts of public and private organisations, experts, and, most importantly, people.
Overall, it is clear that there is a significant collective effort to address the issue of flooding.