On Sunday, 49mm of rain was recorded in Dhaka in nine hours that triggered widespread waterlogging in many parts of the city, causing disruptions to daily life and leaving commuters stranded.
Whenever there is flooding and waterlogging, we often see public frustration and criticism, indicating that this is a consequence of corruption, inadequate drainage networks, encroachment on wetlands and natural waterways, poor waste management, and unplanned urban expansion.
Many of these concerns are valid and should be reasonably addressed.
At the same time, we have to acknowledge that compared to the past, there have been improvements in infrastructural development -- and it is continuing.
Yet, why do we continue to face the same issues, sometimes even worse than before?
This is why our knowledge of climate change and its recent dynamics is also important to understand. Our widespread public perception is that economic development and improved infrastructure can eliminate these problems.
Investment in drainage systems, urban planning, and climate-resilient infrastructure is undoubtedly essential, but it is unrealistic to assume that development alone can completely shield cities from the forces of a rapidly changing climate.
Even the developed world is not spared
Recent floods in some of the world's most developed cities indicate that even the best cities can be flooded and illustrate how rapid climate patterns are changing and challenging conventional planning assumptions.
On September 2, Toronto was hit by severe flooding after intense rainfall that overwhelmed drainage systems, disrupted transportation networks, and affected daily life.
On the same day, several cities in China's southeastern Fujian Province were inundated by torrential rains which were powerful enough to sweep away vehicles.
Similar flooding events have also been reported this year in New York City, Philadelphia, Washington DC, and Tokyo.
It shows that no city is immune to the growing risks of extreme weather. The fact that highly advanced and well-resourced cities continue to face devastating floods does not necessarily mean that their planning systems have failed.
Rather, it highlights a new reality: Many infrastructure systems designed using historical climate data have become obsolete.
Weather projections play a critical role in floodplain mapping and resilient infrastructure design. Yet at this time of history, climate projections are becoming increasingly difficult.
Hence, future development planning such as housing, roads, and bridges require a comprehensive understanding of climate change and its dynamics.
The recent Nepal disaster is a clear sign that climate related disasters can take shape in ways we never imagined possible. There is now this warning from the United Nations that natural climate phenomena such as El Niño may cause more extreme weather patterns such as droughts, flooding, extreme heat, and wildfires.
We are both a least developed country (LDC) and one of the world's most climate-vulnerable nations. Each year, millions of people are affected by climate-induced events, particularly during the four-to-five-month long monsoon season.
This year, the flooding in southern Chittagong, especially Banshkhali was a big shock to the local people who never imagined rainwater could trigger such a devastating flood situation in a coastal area.
If we only focus on governance and infrastructure failures, it will not be sufficient. Well-designed urban systems can and are overwhelmed by unprecedented volumes of rainfall and other climate-related shocks.
Thus, we should see flooding not only as an infrastructure challenge that can always be solved by engineering, but also as a rapidly changing climate challenge.
The assumption that every challenge can be permanently solved through human engineering or planning has created a false sense of stability for us.
In a world where environmental, social, and technological conditions are constantly changing, policies and long-term plans can become outdated more quickly than expected.
This is why climate education and awareness are an essential investment in our collective future. Climate education is not merely about acquiring knowledge, it is about preparing individuals, communities, and institutions to adapt to a world where environmental change is constant but uncertain.
Adaptation should not be viewed as a sign of weakness or failure. Rather, it is a practical and forward-looking strategy for navigating an uncertain future.
The goal is not to create systems that never fail, but to build societies that can learn, evolve, and respond effectively when conditions change.
Parvez Uddin Chowdhury is a development worker.
