Floods in Bangladesh
Introduction:
Flood
is a natural calamity that visits Bangladesh every year. During the summer and
rainy seasons, the water of the rivers rises so high that it overflows the bank
and the surrounding areas go under water. This sudden rise of water is called a flood.
Causes:
Flood is mainly caused by heavy showers of
rain during the rainy seasons. Rivers and canals cannot hold the water of rain
and the water overflows the banks which causes the flood. A river may overflow its
banks if its bed is silted and its course is too zigzag to allow the free flow of water.
In hilly regions, floods may occur as a result of the heavy downflow of water on
account of the making of snow on mountains. Again, the catastrophic floods may be caused
by cyclones and tidal bores in the seas.
The terrible aspect of flood in Bangladesh: Flood is a regular terror to our
country which leaves behind a trail of ruins. It causes havoc to lives and
properties. The granaries of the householders are destroyed. The crop fields
look like vast sheets of water. Cattle and even human beings are killed, and houses
are destroyed. People have to stay under the open sky. All communication with
the outside world is cut off. They cannot meet the bare necessities for
existence. Hence, the sufferings of the people know no bounds. To add to the
misery, it leaves behind widespread damage to crops and epidemic diseases.
Conditions
after the flood: After subsiding flood leaves behind devastated land and crop fields, epidemic diseases, and scarcity not only of food but also of pure
drinking water. Wide-spread damage to crops results in famine. A large number
of men and animals die of starvation as well as diseases. To add to the
suffering, the prices of all daily necessities increase by leaps and bounds.
In fact, the after-effects of a flood are more terrible. Among the recent floods,
the floods of 1984 and 1987 caused a huge loss to life and property. But the
flood of 1988 has broken the previous records of losses. About ninety percent of areas were under water for several days and it caused great harm. The flood
of 1998 is also an example of the most terrible floods in recent years.
Blessings
of the flood: Floods in an agricultural country like ours have often been looked
upon as a blessing in disguise. Floods leave on the submerged areas a rich
alluvial deposit that greatly increases the fertility of the soil. Besides, it also
washes away the garbage that accumulates on the surface of the earth.
Relief
and controlling measures: During
floods, people come forward to help the sufferers. They are given shelter in the
houses of their fortunate fellow men or in public places. They are clothed and fed
by charitable people, different organizations, and the government. Loans are
granted to enable them to take up their work of life again. Many other
countries in the world also extend their helping hands for the survival of distressed people.
Means
to control: A definite scheme should be adopted to prevent floods
permanently. Proper dams and embankments should be constructed so that the
water of the rivers cannot rise above the danger level. Obstacles to the natural
flow of water should be removed. The silted-up beds of the rivers have to be
excavated for carrying more water.
Conclusion:
Due
to its geographical position, Bangladesh is very much prone to floods. Unless
this catastrophe is checked, our development is impossible. Therefore, we
should find out a permanent solution to control floods to ensure our
development.
