Abstract

Bangladesh is a developing country in Asia. As a matter of great regret, every year this country is highly affected by the flood. Some of the reason behind this is natural but some are manmade. In my article, I have written past and current situations of the flood, cause, effect, and remedies of this natural calamity.

 

Introduction

Flood means the excessive level of water on the dry grounds. In Bangladesh, we face this calamity every year during June-October. Bangladesh is a country of rivers. But for being a land of rivers, it causes a great catastrophe for us. The biggest problem caused by this is a flood, a natural disaster in Bangladesh. Each year it takes around 5000 lives and more than 95% of crops are destroyed. The main reason behind this problem is, situated on the Brahmaputra River Delta. The flood of 1988 was the longest in the history of Bangladesh.

Floods are caused by climate variability, inappropriate planning development, and some human activities. There are different ways of categorizing and classifying floods according to geographic characteristics. In Bangladesh, floods are divided as:

1. Flash flood – It is caused by heavy rainfall in small areas. At the time of flash flood water level rises. The most affected areas are southeast in Chittagong, Cox’s Bazar, Bandarban, Netrakona, Sylhet, Habiganj, Moulvibazar, Sunamganj. 

2. Monsoon flood- At the time of the rainy season, this occurred. 80% of rainfall happens from June-October which causes floods.  

3. Normal bank floods- This type of flood occurred from the rivers of Brahmaputra, Ganges, and Meghna. The areas of northern, northwestern, northeastern, and central Bangladesh are highly affected.

4. Rainfed flood- Meghna river is the reason behind this flood. Comilla and Feni to the east are highly effected. Less affected areas of this flood are, Magura, Jessore, and Satkhira.

 

Historic Floods in Bangladesh

Bangladesh has a long history of calamitous flooding. Each year it has very detrimental impacts on lives and property. In the 19th century, there were six major floods which were 1842, 1858, 1871, 1875, 1885, and 1892 and in the 20th century, there were eighteen floods. 1987, 1988, and 1951 floods brought us catastrophic consequences.

The disastrous floods of 1987 appeared in July and August. It damaged 57,300 square kilometers of land which was around 40% of the total area of the country. It affected the areas of the western side of the Brahmaputra.  Khulna was mostly damaged.

The flood of 1988 brought of tragic consequence occurred in August and September. The water overflows 82,000 square kilometers of land which was about 60% of that area. The main reason behind this flood was the three main rivers of the country and heavy rainfall of that year. The capital city Dhaka was highly affected by 15-20 days of the flood. It took over 6,000 peoples to live, destroyed millions of dollars crop.

 

The flood of 1998 was like 1988 in terms of a catastrophic way. 75% of the total area of Bangladesh was underwater which includes half of Dhaka city. It took more than thousands of lives. 30,000 people were becoming homeless. Around 700,000 hectares of crops were destroyed. More than 400 factories were closed. Economical production was decreased to 20%. Many crops, animals, and water were contaminated.  As a result, diseases like cholera and typhoid outbreaks. As few hospitals were running because of the flood, which causes havoc for the patients. The transportation system within the country was detached.

 

There were several floods in 2017, caused by unpredicted heavy rainfall in several parts of the country in the month of late March and early April which continued to last week of August. 1.6 million people were highly affected. Around 338 500 households were damaged and over 100 000 schools, roads, bridges, and embankments were destroyed. In the agriculture sector, the floods caused severe devastation. The pre harvested 220000 hectors of rice crops were fully damaged. As a result, the price of rice was too high. The flood caused death and injuries of 8 million people. The most affected districts were Netrokona, Kishoregani, Sylhet, Sunamganj, Moulvibazar, and Habiganj.

 

The graph shows the percentage of total area and damaged crop from 1998-1954.

The graph shows that, in 1954, the percentage of total flood affected area was 25% and the damaged crop was 0.7 million tons. But in 1988 it increased to 52% flood affected and crops damaged by 3.2 million tons. Later on in the year 1998, broke all the previous record. In that year, 67% area and 4.5 million tons of crops were fully damaged. From 1954-1998 the loss of crops, lands, foods were increased.

 

2020 Flood in Bangladesh

From June 2020 Monson flood has affected Northern, North-Eastern, and South-Eastern province of Bangladesh. UN office reported that more than 167,000 families remain uprooted and 220 people have died which is twice from last year’s monsoon flood. Since 30th June 2020, 41 children have died due to drowning in the water. Approximately 170,000 hectares of agricultural land are fully destroyed.  

Jamalpur has been affected by floods twice because of the rising water of the Jamuna river this year. 13 unions in Islampur and Dewanganj Upazilas are highly affected. According to the sources, 27 villages in Sapdhari, Chinaduli, Kulkandi, Belgachha, and Noarpara unions in Islampur Upazila are fully devastated. Around 27,500 are affected in these areas. But only 365 people can take shelter in 11 flood shelters. Project Implementation Officer (PIO) said, there are 2 boats in each union are ready to evacuate flood-affected victims. 

In Kurigram flood situation deteriorate in August. As per Daily Star August edition, in 400 villages of 56 unions in 9 Upazillas, more than 400 people are living under misery. 3 lakh flood-affected people are facing problems with a shortage of food, lack of pure water, and a safe toilet. The water level of Brahmaputra River is in 73 cm in Chilmari point, 58 cm in Nunkhawaghat point, 47 cm in Dharla River which are dangerous for Kurigram Bridge point.

The victims of Lalmonirhat have lost their home, source of income. There are around 108 villages with 27 unions in five Upazilas are living underwater. They have lost home, domestic animals, and croplands.  

In Sirajgonj, 50,000 people are living with great puberty. The reason behind this is, the level of Jamuna river water is 13.35 meters. The 5 Upazila, Sirajganj Sadar, Chowhali, Kazipur, Shahzadpur, and Belkuchi, are devastated.

There are also some other cities affected by the flood. In Rangamati 175 people are homeless. In Chattogram the low lying areas like Chawkbazar, Chandgaon Bakalia, Sholakbahar, KB Aman Ali Road, Halisahar, Agrabad Muradpur, East Nasirabad Bohaddarhat, Parbartak Intersection, Kapasgola , DC Road, Sholashahar Gate No. 2, and Dewanbazar are under deep water. In Cox bazar, 10,117 people including 34 Rohingya refugee camps in Teknaf and Ukhiya are fully damaged. In the low-lying areas of Shatkhira, 100,000 people are isolated. In Dinajpur, the rail link with Dhaka is fully disconnected.

Causes of Flood in Bangladesh

We can divide the causes of flood in Bangladesh in two-term:

1.Physical Causes

• Heavy monsoon rain in the low-lying areas. Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna drainage system the main reason behind this.

• Spring snow melts in Himalayas increase flood risks.

• 70% of the country is 1 meter above the sea and 10% is covered by lakes and rivers.

2.Human Causes

• Global warming in the Himalayas.

• Deforestation in Nepal and Himalayas.

• Urbanization is behind the frequent flood.

• Poorly maintained drainage system.

• To cope with the increased amount of population a large number of trees are cutter down for making houses.

 

How can we fight against this natural calamity?

In Bangladesh flooding is a very age-old calamity. But recently our government has taken some necessary steps to fight with this calamity.

In Honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s observation, 8,210 metric tons of rice are distributed. Around Tk2 crore 22 lakh, 50 thousand cash are given to the homeless people. For child foods 48 lakh and for dry foods 48,000 packets are allocated in 23 districts.

According to the reports of OCHA (Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs), “Humanitarian partners are working with Bangladesh authorities to assist the most vulnerable groups with food, shelter, clean water, hygiene supplies, and other requirements. A US$40 million response plan has been launched to help more than 1 million of the people most severely in need.”

Another achievement for the Bangladesh Government to flight against flood is the DND project (Dhaka-Narayanganj-Demra) under the observation of the Ershad government. It is located between Dhaka and Narayanganj. DND is bounced by Buriganga and shitalakshya river. The project started in 1964 and was completed in 1968. The main purpose of this project is to flood control drainage for 4,860 hectares. It prevents floodwater from entering Dhaka city. 

Many medical teams are working in a flood-affected area. Shelter centers are given the order to ensure healthcare by providing drinking water and safe sanitary. 500 tents are provided by the Disaster management ministry.

BRAC allocated 3.5 crores were 50 lakhs are already paid to flood-affected people. From the Rotary group, a new project has started called “Flood Relief Project” in Nilphamari, Kurigram, Dinajpur, Bogura, Jamalpur, Gaibandha, and Naogaon districts. This project aims to provide food, saline, clothes, medical help, and medicines. Bidyanondo also has started a project called “Mission North Bengal”. They have provided cooked food and water purification tablets in Kurigram, Jamalpur, Nilphamari, Tangail districts.

 

In conclusion, I can only say, our government and NGO’s are working very hard to stand with flood-affected people. They are providing sufficient relief and other necessaries regularly. All we need to do is to keep awareness to prevent flood in Bangladesh and little patience.