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Floods in Bangladesh: To be controlled or managed?

19 July 2004, 18:00 PM
OPINION
By Mahbuba Nasreen
19 July 2004, 18:00 PM
A scene from the flood affected Shimulia village, in Dhunat upazila of northern Bogura district. PHOTO: STAR
Natural disasters, espe-cially floods in Bangla-desh have been identified as one of the main obstacles in the way of achieving sustainable development. The occurrence of floods in this part of the world is as old as its history but over the past half century the problem has aggravated and become one of the main concerns for most people. For the past few days the media have been occupied with headlines presenting the threat of floods and significant rise of water in the three major rivers. Vast areas of greater Sylhet district and most districts in the northern region have already been inundated. The sources of flood water in these areas are identified as heavy rainfall within and outside the country and the onrush of water from hill sides. The immeasurable sufferings of the people of the flood affected regions are attracting the attention of the policy makers, researchers and other concerned people and instigating them to extend their hands in supporting these people. However, it is evident that the attempts made to help flood affected people survive better were insufficient and inadequate. The already observed realities are the failure in rescuing marooned people, providing them food, drinking water, health care facilities, security. Lack of flood management capacity of the policy makers and other bodies often make us think as if this is the first time that a flood has occurred in Bangladesh.

The Water Development Board forecasted that water levels of three major rivers had already crossed the danger level swamping new areas in the northeastern districts. The low lying areas of Dhaka and Narayanganj would be inundated by July 15, 2004. It is easily imaginable that some more thousands of people may suffer from flood related crises this time. It is evident in Sylhet and northern flood affected districts that the flood shelters and refuges do not have sufficient space to accommodate all affected people. For a large number of people food, water, medicine, toilet, and other essentials are far from needed. Flood is a constant threat to rural livelihoods and it brings great hardships for the poor, especially for women whose access to resources is extremely limited and vulnerable.

One should not see recent (this year's) flood in isolation from the past floods. National and international experts conducted extensive research on floods in Bangladesh after the 1987, 1988 and 1998 floods and several theories have been developed about their causes. However, the exact causes are still unknown. Several explanations have been given: confluence of the major rivers, high monsoon rainfall, low mean sea level, rise of sea level, siltation of river beds, flood protection measures/building embankments, deforestation, upstream construction of Farakka barrage and others. Environment is a significant factor for flooding but in part environment is shaped by human activities such as causing deforestation and global warming. Environment also clearly affects human societies, but its ability to do so is in part helped by existing social arrangements such as poor people in Bangladesh live close to main rivers in poorly constructed houses.

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What we have done to manage floods? In fact, on most occasions we try to control flood rather than manage it. In Bangladesh embankments have been used as a traditional flood control measure since 1956. However, a number of studies and reports have pointed out the negative consequences of flood control measure. Many embankments have had a negative impact on the river regimes, land formation, agriculture, fisheries and on the overall environment. The flood control measures were not planned and not based on the nature of flood and as a result did not sustain. Until recently, very little has been done to mitigate flood and to support people's coping mechanisms. Moreover, relief has become concomitant to flood. It is also observed that relief does not reach those people who need them most. A woman heading a household do not have enough time to queue for relief goods leaving her children, elderly and other belongings. Some even reported that they do not want to use their muscles in pushing men in the queue.

It has been learnt that as people do not have other choice than living in flood prone areas, they adopt some of the coping mechanisms to survive. Most of these activities are done by women. Such as saving fistful of rice every day, dry foods, storing fuel, and other essential items. Without almost no medical facilities women nurse the sick child or other family members. In the flood shelters they have to bear the brunt of suffering while collecting drinking water and using toilets. However, these types of (gender) dimensions of flood related crises and people's coping mechanisms have been ignored.

The flood related sufferings increase more when flood water starts to recede. In many affected areas water-borne diseases are already spreading which may take severe shape just after the flood water starts receding. The affected people suffer more from lack of health care facilities, and for not having resources to reconstruct their houses. The policy makers and other bodies should come forward to support the flood survivors to restart their normal lives. Seeds for crop cultivation, tree saplings, vegetables and also cash money could be distributed to the poor flood affected people. We should remember that the recent floods have already affected the overall economy of the country. We should all stand by the side of the marooned people and extend support to rebuild the economy of the country.

Mahbuba Nasreen is Associate Professor, Department of Sociology, Dhaka University