Cyclones usually lead to torrential rainfall which in turn has historically meant severe flooding for Bangladesh. But while Midhili was not as severe as far as cyclones go, the fact that we witnessed one at all at the onset of the winter season means that even more drastic weather during this time of the year can be expected in the future.
This once again calls into question our nation’s measures against this regularly occurring phenomenon, a lack of preparation for which, that on many occasions, has resulted in utter calamity for Bangladesh in the past.
Nearly 60% of our population is exposed to high risk of floods, where extreme flood events submerge the majority of Bangladesh. This is not relegated only to the rural parts, as we have seen time and time again even cities like Dhaka going under water during times of heavy rain and other extreme weather conditions, leading to severe water-logging.
This matter is only exacerbated by climate change, with reports stating that river flow could increase by 36% in the next 50 years. Indeed, the recent heavy rain is a direct result of a depression that has morphed into a cyclone, a weather event that is not common towards the tail end of November.
All of this indicates that we are going to see even more floods in our urban and rural areas. This is where preparedness comes in.
The relevant authorities need to draw up a comprehensive, long-term plan to tackle flooding in a way that takes the relative urbanization of regions into account -- special care has to be taken in rural areas as those living in such places are especially vulnerable.
Our nation has lost far too much to floods every year, it is high time that visible actions were taken to calm this rising tide.
This once again calls into question our nation’s measures against this regularly occurring phenomenon, a lack of preparation for which, that on many occasions, has resulted in utter calamity for Bangladesh in the past.
Nearly 60% of our population is exposed to high risk of floods, where extreme flood events submerge the majority of Bangladesh. This is not relegated only to the rural parts, as we have seen time and time again even cities like Dhaka going under water during times of heavy rain and other extreme weather conditions, leading to severe water-logging.
This matter is only exacerbated by climate change, with reports stating that river flow could increase by 36% in the next 50 years. Indeed, the recent heavy rain is a direct result of a depression that has morphed into a cyclone, a weather event that is not common towards the tail end of November.
All of this indicates that we are going to see even more floods in our urban and rural areas. This is where preparedness comes in.
The relevant authorities need to draw up a comprehensive, long-term plan to tackle flooding in a way that takes the relative urbanization of regions into account -- special care has to be taken in rural areas as those living in such places are especially vulnerable.
Our nation has lost far too much to floods every year, it is high time that visible actions were taken to calm this rising tide.
