Floods demand robust preparedness

Widespread flooding, landslides and water-logging- continuing to batter southeastern Bangladesh over the past several days have once again lay bare the country's chronic vulnerability to monsoon disasters. More than enough lives have been lost, thousands of families have been displaced, roads and bridges have been damaged, and public services have been severely disrupted. 

While the government's rescue and relief efforts are commendable, but the recent floods should serve as a reminder that Bangladesh can no longer continue to rely primarily on post-disaster response. Need of the hour demands to update and bolster our preparedness mechanism, ensure timely assistance while introducingstate -of-the-art early warning systems.

However, situation in Chattogram and Bandarban clealry illustrates the magnitude of the challenge. Prolonged rainfall, coupled with tidal surges and overflowing rivers, has inundated vast areas - resulting in deadly landslides and cut off communication with several upazilas. 

We believe , drawing firsthand lessons from the continuing floods, bolstering preparedness must become an integral part of local governance in all disaster-prone districts. Risk mapping must be updated round the clock , identifying vulnerable settlements in remote regions must be prioritized while evacuation plans needs to be rehearsed through community-based awareness programmes. Temporary shelters should be adequately stocked with food, drinking water, medicines, sanitation facilities and emergency power supplies. Moreover, local volunteers, who often act as first front-line respondents must also receive continuous training and logistical support so they can assist official agencies more effectively during crises.

Past experiences has repeatedly shown us that people living in remote areas are often the last to receive emergency aid and relief since damaged roads and disrupted communication make access difficult. This challenge calls for a wider 

 de-centralised relief strategy , meaning essential supplies should be deposited in advance in disaster-prone districts, while boats, helicopters and other specialised transport should be incorporated into emergency response plans. Concurrently , leveraging modern technologies, including drones and satellite imagery will add an extra value , in terms of fast locating isolated communities and expedite relief distribution.

Last but not the least, as adverse effects of climate change continues to shoot-up  frequency and intensity of extreme weather events - it is time for Bangladesh to shift from a reactive to a proactive disaster management strategy. Investing in  advanced preparedness programme , modernising early warning systems and ensuring rapid delivery of aid to most vulnerable communities will not eliminate floods, but they will surelyand significantly reduce human and economic toll.  That said - lessons from this disaster should not be forgotten once the waters recede , rather this year’s monsoon floods mustinspire the government to adopt a stronger, more resilient approach, so to manage the challenges that lie ahead.