The imperative
is rushing all kinds of
succour to the worst flood affected people. Disaster management
volunteers and employees of the local district
administration can be tasked with reaching
these supplies to the flood
victims at the fastest
Flood preparedness
Heavy rainfall within Bangladesh and India as well as waters of rivers in spate in India rushing into Bangladesh have already created flash floods in the Chittagong region and other places of the country. The city of Chittagong went under water recently. According to a vernacular daily, two and a half lakh people of Coxs Bazaar and Bandarban have now been marooned. On the other hand, Meghnas flow has crossed the danger level.
The imperative is rushing all kinds of succour to the worst flood affected people. The homesteads of many are so badly inundated that they cannot walk to relief centres. Others do not have boats for the purpose. Sacks of rice and other food supplies, kerosene, lanterns and other emergency essentials need to dispatched to them where they have their homesteads. Disaster management volunteers and employees of the local district administration can be tasked with reaching these supplies to the flood victims at the fastest. They need to be also engaged in transporting the flood victims safely to flood shelters, if necessary .
We are now in the middle of the rainy season. The past records say even in the month of September the country was hit by severe floods. According to weather forecasts, this year it is likely that 20 per cent more rainfall may occur. It could be even more. In that case, most parts of Bangladesh may go under water and to face such a difficult situation arising from wider floods, the relevant ministry must be well prepared from now. For facing worse conditions, engaging of the military for flood related duties need to be also on the cards in aid of the civil administration.
Another important point ought to be taken into consideration. There is a mechanism for Bangladesh to get flood related data from India. Receiving of such data promptly from India is of great importance to us to know to what extent and when flood waters will likely roll down into Bangladesh from India, their level and intensity. Even a warning of twenty-four hours ahead from India can help us to better warn people and carry out evacuation and other measures. From maintaining constant liaison with Indian authorities, it may be also possible to persuade them not to open the flood gates of their barrages suddenly. Usually, the sudden opening of these gates without warning cause havocs in Bangladesh.
