Long-term plan needed to pre-empt floods

Due to its geographical location, the monsoon is an inseparable part of nature in Bangladesh. As the country lies in a monsoon climate zone, warm and moisture-laden monsoon winds flow over Bangladesh every year from June to October, carrying a vast amount of water vapor from the Bay of Bengal. When these moisture-rich air masses reach the hilly regions of the northeastern and eastern parts of the country, they rise, cool, and produce heavy rainfall. 

While rainfall is a blessing for agriculture, rivers, and biodiversity, excessive rainfall causes significant damage to different parts of the country every year. At present, the flood situation in Chattogram is becoming increasingly severe. Millions of people have been stranded by floodwaters, and the death toll continues to rise. 

As of July 14, the number of deaths has reached 54. In addition, extensive damage has been reported to crops, livestock, and fisheries, posing a serious threat to the country's economy. The crisis is not limited to Chattogram. Various parts of the capital, Dhaka, have also been submerged by rainwater. Water has accumulated on many roads and highways, creating severe waterlogging that prevents people from reaching their workplaces and causes widespread public suffering. Is nature alone responsible for this nationwide hardship? Flooding is not a new phenomenon in Bangladesh. Every year, millions of people are affected by floods. Yet no comprehensive measures have been taken to effectively address the situation.

There are several reasons why the flood situation in Chattogram has become so severe. Heavy rainfall causes flash floods from the surrounding hills to flow into low-lying areas. The combined effects of the monsoon and low-pressure systems lead to intense rainfall. Rapid urbanization has resulted in the encroachment and filling of canals, while the remaining canals have lost much of their water-carrying capacity. At the same time, weak drainage systems allow water to accumulate in many areas, leading to flooding. A similar situation can be observed in Dhaka. 

 A major challenge is the lack of long-term planning to manage floods. Due to its geographical characteristics, Bangladesh experiences floods every year, resulting in loss of lives and affecting millions of people. However, there is little evidence of sustainable long-term planning to overcome this recurring crisis. Instead, there are significant shortcomings in river dredging and maintaining navigability. Illegal sand extraction continues in many places, river pollution is increasing, and sufficient durable embankments have not been constructed. Addressing these challenges requires comprehensive long-term planning. First, the shortage of investment in disaster prevention must be eliminated, and adequate funding must be ensured. Climate-resilient infrastructure is essential. Roads, drainage systems, culverts, and bridges should be designed with future extreme rainfall and climate conditions in mind. 

Sustainable embankments should be built in coastal areas, and uncontrolled settlements in high-risk zones should be prevented. Rather than focusing mainly on post-disaster rehabilitation, greater emphasis should be placed on preventive infrastructure before disasters occur. Effective coordination among all institutions responsible for disaster management is equally important. Local government bodies, the Bangladesh Water Development Board, city corporations, the Department of Environment, and urban development authorities must work together through coordinated planning and implementation. Canal excavation and regular maintenance are necessary to preserve river navigability. 

Increasing public awareness is crucial. People must avoid indiscriminate dumping of waste and reduce the excessive use of plastic. The recurring hardships experienced every year clearly demonstrate that the problem is not caused by nature alone. Rather, it is the result of inadequate urban planning, the failure to restore rivers and canals, the lack of climate-resilient infrastructure, ineffective waste management, and poor institutional coordination. Unless these shortcomings are addressed through effective long-term planning, Bangladesh is likely to continue facing the same devastating consequences year after year.