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We must learn lessons from current floods to forestall recurrences

Published : Monday, 26 August, 2024 at 12:00 AM  Count : 309
Dr Matiur Rahman
 
Bangladesh is once again grappling with the devastating consequences of severe flooding, exacerbated by relentless heavy rainfall and the release of water from upstream in India. As of the latest reports from the Chief Adviser's office, around 9,44,548 people have been stranded across 11 districts due to the ongoing flash floods. The affected regions include Feni, Cumilla, Chattogram, Khagrachhari, Noakhali, Moulvibazar, Habiganj, Brahmanbaria, Sylhet, Lakshmipur, and Cox's Bazar. This natural disaster has not only stranded hundreds of thousands but has also severely impacted the livelihoods and well-being of millions.

The scope of this disaster is immense. According to a press release from the Chief Adviser's office, a staggering 49,38,159 people from 587 unions under 77 upazilas across the aforementioned districts have been directly affected by the floods. These individuals are facing significant challenges as they contend with the loss of homes, livelihoods, and access to necessities. The floods have inundated vast swathes of land, rendering them uninhabitable and cutting off communities from essential services.
Tragically, the floods have claimed 18 lives so far. The death toll includes five people in Chattogram, four in Cumilla, three each in Noakhali and Cox's Bazar, and one each in Feni, Brahmanbaria, and Lakshmipur. These losses underscore the deadly nature of the flooding and highlight the urgent need for effective disaster response measures. The affected communities are in mourning, grappling with the sudden loss of loved ones while also facing the daunting task of rebuilding their lives in the aftermath of the disaster.

In response to the crisis, the government has opened 3,527 shelter centres across the affected districts to provide refuge for those displaced by the floods. These shelters are currently housing 2,84,888 people, along with 21,695 cattle, which are crucial to the livelihoods of many families. However, the sheer number of displaced individuals has strained the capacity of these shelters, leading to overcrowding and a lack of adequate resources. Many of the shelters are facing shortages of food, clean water, and medical supplies, further exacerbating the suffering of those affected.

Despite these efforts, the scale of the disaster has overwhelmed local resources, and the situation remains dire. The floods have caused widespread destruction, submerging homes, roads, and infrastructure, and leaving many areas inaccessible. The loss of crops and livestock has also dealt a severe blow to the agricultural sector, which is a critical source of income for many families in the affected regions. As a result, food insecurity is becoming an increasingly pressing concern.

The ongoing floods have also severely disrupted communication networks, with approximately 11% of mobile towers in the affected districts becoming inoperative. In Feni district alone, 92% of mobile towers are out of service due to power outages and submerged areas, according to the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC). This disruption has made it difficult for people to stay in touch with loved ones or access vital information and services, further isolating those stranded by the floods.

The military has been playing a crucial role in the relief efforts, conducting rescue operations and distributing food and other essential supplies in the worst-affected areas, including Comilla, Feni, and Khagrachhari districts. Their involvement has provided some much-needed relief to those in desperate need, but the scale of the disaster continues to pose significant challenges.

The recent floods in Bangladesh have once again highlighted the country's vulnerability to natural disasters. Bangladesh, a low-lying country crisscrossed by numerous rivers, is particularly susceptible to flooding, especially during the monsoon season. While efforts have been made in recent years to improve flood management and disaster preparedness, the scale of this disaster has revealed significant gaps in these systems. The lack of early warning systems, inadequate infrastructure, and limited resources for disaster response have all contributed to the severity of the crisis.

As Bangladesh grapples with the aftermath of the floods, there is an urgent need for coordinated and sustained relief efforts to address the immediate needs of those affected. This includes providing food, clean water, medical care, and shelter to those displaced by the floods. There is also a need for long-term recovery and rehabilitation efforts to rebuild damaged infrastructure, restore livelihoods, and support communities in recovering from the disaster.

In addition to immediate relief efforts, there must be a renewed focus on strengthening disaster preparedness and resilience in Bangladesh. This includes investing in early warning systems, improving infrastructure to withstand extreme weather events, and ensuring that communities are better prepared to respond to disasters. It also requires addressing the underlying causes of Bangladesh's vulnerability to flooding, including the impacts of climate change, deforestation, and poor land management practices.

The devastating floods of August 2024 serve as a stark reminder of the challenges that Bangladesh faces in managing the risks associated with natural disasters. As the country continues to recover from this crisis, there is an opportunity to build a more resilient and prepared society, capable of withstanding the impacts of future disasters. However, this will require sustained commitment and investment from the government, civil society, and the international community. Only through collective action can Bangladesh hope to mitigate the impacts of future floods and protect the lives and livelihoods of its people.

The floods have not only exposed the vulnerabilities of Bangladesh but also underscored the resilience of its people. Despite the immense challenges they face, communities across the affected regions have come together to support one another, sharing whatever resources they have and working together to rebuild. This spirit of solidarity and cooperation will be crucial in the coming months as Bangladesh continues to recover from one of the worst floods in its recent history.

The writer is a researcher and development worker



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