The government is expecting floods to hit most regions of Bangladesh this year. Last year, around 22 districts were affected by floods, but there are concerns that this year’s floods will surpass even the serious flooding of last year, when the affected districts went underwater for months.
The Meteorological Office has warned that there is a possibility of flooding in 37 of the 64 districts, caused by incessant heavy rainfall during the monsoon season.
As part of the preparation, Relief and Disaster Management Minister Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya and Secretary of the ministry Shah Kamal, held a series of meetings with various organizations and officials concerned, in the past few days.
Representatives from Bangladesh Army and Navy were also present in those discussions.
On Tuesday, in one such meeting organized by the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, the army and the navy were directed to be prepared for tackling any possible natural disasters, including floods.
Confirming the matter to the correspondent, Secretary of the ministry concerned revealed that emergency messages were also sent to the deputy commissioners of the 64 districts.
Speaking to the correspondent, Mofazzal Hossain said: “The government has distributed 200,000 tons of rice, Tk5 lakh in cash, blankets and two bundles of corrugated tin sheets in district relief funds across the country.”
“A control centre has also been established at the Department of Disaster Management.”
The minister added that officials concerned have been instructed to keep school, college and madrasa buildings across the country in top shape, so that people can use them as shelter during natural disasters.
When it rains, it pours
Bangladesh is witnessing incessant heavy rainfall even as the monsoon season is yet to come. The Met Office forecasts torrential rainfall in some parts of Bangladesh from May 4 to 7.
Landslides are also a serious threat to public safety during the monsoon season. A series of landslides claimed 166 lives in the hill tract regions of Bangladesh last year.
Meetings were held from April 22 to 26 in Cox’s Bazar, Chattogram, Rangamati, Bandarban and Khagrachhari to chalk up emergency response during the times of crisis.
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Terming the amount of recently recorded rainfall alarming, the ministry concerned has warned the deputy commissioners across the country.
Farmers of flood-prone regions have been instructed to harvest their crops on an emergency basis, to save them from possible flood.
Local deputy commissioners have arranged for public service announcements to raise awareness on this issue.
Sources from the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, quoting DC offices from wetland districts, confirmed that 88% crops have already been harvested from these regions. The farmers also witnessed a bumper harvest this year.
Hail and thunderstorms
The people are also at serious risk of death and injury caused by hailstorms and lightning strikes.
Sources from the ministry concerned stated that frequency of hailstorms and the average size of hailstones are getting larger. There are also reported incidents of hail penetrating tin roofs of homes and injuring the residents inside.
In 2015, the Bangladesh government declared lightning strikes a natural disaster. The ministry believes that a significant reduction of tall trees, such as palm and coconut trees, are contributing to increasing deaths by lightning strikes.
According to ministry sources, lightning strikes killed 307 people across the country in 2017, and 380 in 2016.
In May 2016, 81 people died of lightning strikes in a span of four days, and on March and April, another 70 people died of the natural disaster.
The Disaster Management Ministry advised the public to keep their distance from tall trees, electric poles, transmission wires, and mobile towers during thunderstorms.
The officials concerned also instructed people, especially children to avoid playing outside during storms, and advised fishermen to refrain from venturing out into rivers and the sea.
The disaster management minister, while addressing the May 1 meeting, said: “Bangladesh is witnessing more and more lightning strikes. We have installed lightning detection machines in eight districts of the country, including in Dhaka, Sylhet, Mymensingh, Satkhira and Naogaon.”
Rohingya refugees at risk
Relief and Disaster Management Ministry Secretary Shah Kamal told the correspondent: “A total of 1,100,000 Rohingya are currently staying in Bangladesh, and landslides pose a serious risk to around 200,000 among them.
“The refugees are being shifted to an area between Kutupalong and Balukhali for their own safety. Among the 50,000 families at risk, 25,000 have already been shifted to abovementioned safe area, and the rest are to be shifted soon.”
Pointing out the army and navy’s significant contributions during past events of disaster in the country, Shah Kamal said: “Bangladesh Army and Navy personnel has a history of risking their lives for the people affected by disasters. So, this year we have asked them to be prepared to tackle any emergency situation.”
This article was first published on banglatribune.com