Climate resilience must become central to our economic planning

Bangladesh is once again confronting one of its most devastating monsoon seasons, reminding the nation that floods and waterlogging are no longer seasonal disasters but an increasingly serious threat to lives, livelihoods and economic development. Dhaka recorded 175 millimeters of rainfall in the 24 hours ending at 6:00am on 13 July-the highest in the country during the period-submerging roads, disrupting transport and leaving many parts of the capital under water. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has forecast further rainfall, with monsoon activity expected to strengthen from 16 July, raising fears that the worst may still be ahead.

The humanitarian toll is already alarming. At least 51 people have died and dozens more have been injured, hundreds of thousands of homes have been inundated, disrupting education, healthcare, transportation and livelihoods while leaving thousands dependent on emergency assistance. These figures represent far more than another difficult monsoon. They expose structural weaknesses in Bangladesh's development model. Floods and waterlogging are undermining economic productivity, damaging infrastructure and exposing inadequate climate resilience. Unless Bangladesh fundamentally changes the way it manages water, urbanization and climate risks, such disasters will become even more frequent and costly.

Bangladesh's geographical position makes flooding unavoidable. Situated at the downstream end of the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna (GBM) basin, it receives water from a catchment nearly twelve times its own size. Almost 90 percent of river flow originates outside its borders, mainly from India, Nepal, Bhutan and the Tibetan Plateau. Heavy rainfall or rapid snowmelt upstream eventually converges on Bangladesh's low-lying delta before flowing into the Bay of Bengal.

Alike other years, this year's flooding may also reflect that hydrological reality. Intense rainfall across upstream catchments, combined with heavy precipitation inside Bangladesh, has created simultaneous pressure on multiple river systems. As river levels rise together, drainage slows, floodwaters remain trapped longer and low-lying districts experience both river flooding and prolonged waterlogging.

In Dhaka alone, an estimated 60 to 70 percent of wetlands, flood retention areas and natural canals have disappeared because of unplanned urban expansion, illegal encroachment and indiscriminate land filling.

As a result, even a few hours of intense rainfall now paralyze major cities. Roads become impassable, public transport collapses, hospitals struggle to operate and emergency services face enormous difficulties. Similar scenes are increasingly common in Chattogram, Sylhet, Khulna and numerous district towns, exposing the inadequacy of existing drainage systems.

The economic consequences are equally alarming. Floods are no longer affecting only agriculture; they are disrupting every major sector of Bangladesh's economy. Chattogram illustrates the magnitude of the challenge. As the country's principal seaport, it handles nearly 90 percent of Bangladesh's international trade. When roads leading to the port become submerged, imported raw materials fail to reach factories, export containers are delayed, shipping schedules are disrupted and logistics costs rise sharply. These disruptions quickly spread through supply chains, affecting industrial zones in Gazipur, Savar, Narayanganj and Ashulia.

The ready-made garment sector, Bangladesh's largest export earner, is particularly vulnerable. Every day of disruption increases freight costs, delays shipments and weakens the country's competitiveness. Domestic losses are equally severe. 

Repeated flooding is also beginning to affect Bangladesh's long-term investment prospects. International investors increasingly assess climate resilience, infrastructure reliability and disaster preparedness alongside labor costs. Industrial zones experiencing frequent flooding and unreliable transport inevitably become less attractive for export-oriented manufacturing.

Despite substantial public investment, Bangladesh continues to struggle with flood management. Chattogram's ongoing waterlogging mitigation projects, costing approximately Tk14,257 crore, have improved certain areas. Yet roads, hospitals, commercial centers and residential neighborhoods continue to flood after only a few hours of heavy rain, raising legitimate questions about planning, coordination, implementation and long-term maintenance.

Engineering structures alone cannot solve the problem. For decades, flood management has relied heavily on embankments. While they provide temporary protection, they cannot eliminate flood risk. Over time, embankments encourage silt deposition, disconnect rivers from natural floodplains and increase dependence on artificial barriers. 

Bangladesh therefore needs a broader water-management strategy that works with nature rather than against it. Restoring wetlands, reconnecting floodplains, re-excavating canals, protecting retention ponds and creating controlled water-storage areas can reduce flood peaks while recharging groundwater and supporting fisheries during the dry season.

Neglected sluice gates and drainage canals also demand urgent attention. In many flood-prone districts, sluice gates remain blocked by sediment, weeds and debris, preventing efficient drainage after river levels begin to fall. Routine dredging, regular maintenance and better operational management could substantially shorten the duration of waterlogging in both rural and urban areas.

Flood forecasting and early warning systems require further improvement. Forecasts must become more localized and actionable, informing communities which roads may be submerged, when evacuation may become necessary and how long flooding is likely to persist. 

Community participation is equally essential. Bangladesh's internationally recognized success in cyclone preparedness demonstrates the effectiveness of community-based disaster management. Similar approaches should be expanded for floods through volunteer networks, local monitoring committees, awareness campaigns and school-based preparedness programmes.

Finally, climate resilience must become central to Bangladesh's development strategy. A proper Delta plan must be adopted concerning all relevant stakeholders to take steps for long term protection against the impact of climate change. Every road, bridge, industrial zone, housing project and urban expansion plan should undergo climate-risk assessment. 

The lesson from the recent monsoons including 2026 is obvious. Floods can no longer be managed solely through emergency relief after disasters occur. They must be anticipated, planned for and integrated into national development. As climate change accelerates and urbanization continues, the cost of inaction will only rise. Bangladesh cannot prevent monsoon rains or control every upstream river. But it can choose how prepared it is when those waters arrive.