Wednesday | 15 January 2025 | Reg No- 06
বাংলা
   
Wednesday | 15 January 2025 | Epaper

Various diseases to affect flood-hit people  

Published : Sunday, 1 September, 2024 at 12:00 AM  Count : 496
Khandaker Apon Hossain
Water is the third most abundant molecule in the universe. Water is the most studied chemical compound in the history of the earth. Water is the only common substance that exists on Earth's surface as solid, liquid and gas. It is said that Water always flows downwards. Since the dawn of civilization, people have dug small holes in the ground to collect rainwater falling from the sky. The rain water is stored there and performed all the daily needs. 

With the change of time, it is seen that terrible natural disasters like floods start with very little rain during the monsoon season. During the monsoon season, even a normal rainfall of three to four hours results in stagnation of water in any urban area, especially in low-lying areas. If it rains for a continuous night, the water turns the entire area into a watercourse regardless of elevation. Rain water is trapped in the town where it falls. As a result, floods occur. It has been like this for years. However, there is no end to doubts whether the main cause of the August 2024 floods in Bangladesh was simply rainfall or the opening of Indian-made river dams.

Advisor to the Interim Government Nahid Islam said, "Upstream water has created this flood situation and the dam has been opened without any advance warning and preparation. By opening the dam, India has shown inhumanity and non-cooperation with Bangladesh." On the other hand, a statement from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs said that Gomti River flows between India and Bangladesh. No gate has been opened for Gomti Hydro Electric Project. The storage capacity of the reservoir is up to 94 meters. Water will automatically exit through the gate once it crosses this level. Again, when the reservoir level falls below 94 meters, the gate will automatically close. Accordingly, when the water level of Gomti reservoir rises above 94 meters, water is released through two gates. 50% water is coming out through a gate.

Bangladesh and India have 54 transboundary rivers. Water cooperation in rivers is an important part of bilateral relations between the two countries. Flooding in common rivers between two neighboring countries is a joint problem. This problem causes suffering for the people of both countries. According to Indian media, on 21st August 1993 Sabrum in Tripura recorded 247 mm rainfall in one day. After 31 years, on 20th August 2024, the highest rainfall recorded in one day was 375.8 mm. According to earlier research by meteorologists, the normal rainfall for the first 21 days of August 2024 was 214 mm. Rainfall there was 538.7 mm which is 151% more than forecast." Many meteorologists also believe that this flood was caused by heavy rains under the influence of monsoon winds.

According to the information of various national dailies, Moulvibazar, Habiganj, Brahmanbaria in the north-central region and Comilla, Feni, Chittagong, Khagrachari, Noakhali in the south-eastern region have been flooded. In all, eight districts of the country have been affected by floods. According to the official website of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, 357 unions of the eight districts of Bangladesh have been affected by the flood. 4 lakh 40 thousand 840 families have become watertight. The total number of affected people is 29 lakh 4 thousand 964. Two people have died in both Feni and Brahmanbaria districts due to the brutality of floods.

A flood is an excessive flow of water that submerges normally dry land. Floods are a regular natural disaster in Bangladesh. Every year there is a flood in some part of the country. The water caused by the flood disrupts the way of life of the people. Many cultures around the world have references to flood myths as well as great civilization-destroyers. Floods are also described in religious texts as a form of divine retribution. As such the Genesis flood narrative plays a prominent role in Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Flood researchers again describe floods in several categories. Such as regional flooding, urban flooding, riverine channel flooding, estuarine and coastal flooding etc. 
Again, if the flood waters recede, more damage may occur. Water and the landscape can be contaminated by hazardous substances, such as sharp debris, pesticides, fuels and untreated sewage. Potentially dangerous mold can quickly engulf structures soaked in water. As flood water spreads, it can also carry disease. This can lead to outbreaks of deadly diseases like typhoid, malaria, hepatitis B and cholera.

The flood of 1974 is considered as the worst flood in Bangladesh after independence. Around 28,700 people died during this flood inundating large areas of the country. The northern districts of the country were heavily affected by the 1988 floods. The flood inundated 60 percent of the country and affected about 30 million people. The 1998 floods severely damaged the country's agricultural and economic infrastructure and killed 1,100 people. In the 2007 floods, almost half of the country went under water. Millions of people were affected and about 1,000 people died. In 2017, Sylhet, Sunamganj and about 20 districts are believed to have experienced the worst floods in the past 150 years.

Bangladesh is flooded due to various reasons. As the water level of the rivers of Bangladesh rises during the monsoon season, many times the bank floods begin. Upstream water from India, Nepal, Bhutan, China raises the water level of the rivers in Bangladesh and causes floods. Floods are also caused by unplanned urbanization and inadequate drainage systems. Rising sea level with climate change is another significant cause of flooding. Floods cause loss of life. Long-standing houses, crops, livestock were destroyed. Agricultural production is disrupted. The wheels of the economy go backwards. Prolonged flooding causes starvation. Various water-borne diseases make their home in the body. Everyone should be aware of floods. Dam should be constructed by government and private initiative. Extensive development of water drainage system should be done. Flood forecasting and warning systems need to be improved. Awareness should be raised regarding the health risks posed during floods.

The writer is a Teacher, Cantonment Board High School, Shahid Salahuddin Cantonment, Ghatail, Tangail



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