Impacts of Flooding in Bangladesh (Essay Sample)

Impacts of Flooding in Bangladesh
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Flooding in Bangladesh
Flooding refers to the large overflow of water on dry land arising from the river bursting its banks, heavy rainfall, or rising sea levels, among other reasons. Flood is one of the frequent natural disasters facing society, leading to the loss of life and property. When one thinks of flooding, the first country that comes to mind is Bangladesh because of its regular floods that cause severe destruction. Statistics indicate that a least a third of the entire country is at risk of experiencing flooding. One of the major causes of flooding in the country is its geographical location between the Himalayas. Bangladesh is less than five meters above sea level, making it vulnerable to flooding from water from hills, heavy annual rainfall, and high water inflow levels from upstream catchment areas. The situation in the country is critical since it has to embrace floods that cause thousands of deaths and destruction of property. Statistics indicate that the intensity and scale of floods in the country have continually increased since the 1970s, causing immense human suffering. One of the most severe cases of flooding in the country occurred in 1988, causing concern globally because of the destruction and death caused. The natural disaster informed the idea of the country to establish the Bangladesh Action Plan for Flood Control, which has been vital in implementing various vital policies. While the country continues to experience severe flooding cases, it has done a lot to address the challenge. For example, various flood control projects such as drainage channels and sluice gates have been established. Apart from climate change and the country's geographical location, the other factor that makes the country vulnerable to flooding is the rapid growth of population in the flood plains. Poverty and scarce land resources in the country have forced people to build infrastructure on the flood plains. This paper analyses the problem of flooding in Bangladesh and the mitigation strategies that should be used by the country.
Causes of flooding in Bangladesh
The first major cause of flooding in Bangladesh is human activities which affect the elements of the environment such as soil conditions, land levels, and forest density. The leading human activities blamed for flooding in Bangladesh include deforestation, urbanization, and riverbed aggradation. Like many countries in Asia, Bangladesh has, over the years, registered a rapid increase in population, leading to urbanization. For example, statistics indicate the country's population stood at about 164 million in 2021, while it stood at about 80 million people in the 1980s. The rapid increase in population and subsequent urbanization affect the drainage basin due to the construction of roads and buildings. Large forest covers protected the population from flooding, but the areas where they once stood are currently covered with buildings significantly increasing the risk of flooding. Construction of buildings in flood plains disregards the fact that it increases the risk of death and property destruction. The other human activity blamed for many flooding cases in Bangladesh is deforestation, especially in the Himalayas. The increase in population in the country increased demand for fuel, land, and food encouraging people to cut down trees. Deforestation, particularly in the Himalayas, increased the amount of water that flows into the Brahmaputra and Ganges rivers. Therefore, while flooding is a natural disaster, human beings have had a role in increasing its frequency and destruction. While it is understandable that people must utilize natural resources such as trees and land to survive, they should use them responsibly. The forest cover is vital in reducing the speed of water flow into Bangladesh villages, making it irresponsible for people to destroy them for fuel. However, due to poor governance in the country, the natural forest cover acting as a defense against flooding is at risk.
Apart from human activities, climatic factors are also to blame for the severe cases of flooding experienced in Bangladesh for several years. Increased monsoon rainfall and accelerated melting of glaciers are some of the natural causes of frequent floods in the region. Climate change has led to changes in the duration of the rainfall and the intensity of the precipitation. Changes in the climatic conditions of the world have led to the rise of sea levels, significantly threatening the settlements in the country's coastal regions. When the glaciers located in the Himalayan region melt due to the rising global temperatures, flash floods occur in Bangladesh and the mountainous regions. Global warming has immensely increased the size of glacier lakes in the Himalayas, increasing the risk of flash floods. The situation of flooding in Bangladesh makes it stand out as one of the most affected countries of global warming in the world. Industrialization globally has significantly increased greenhouse emissions leading to the rise of global temperatures. High global temperatures increase the melting of glaciers, such as those in the Himalayas, increasing the volume of water flow in rivers. People living in the coastal regions of Bangladesh have had to live with the risk of sudden flash flooding, increasing the need to address climate change. Bangladesh is also vulnerable to flooding because of the tectonic activities in the Himalayas that increase the rate of erosion. When erosion occurs in the region, the sediments are deposited downstream, blocking the river channels, increasing the risks for flooding. Therefore, flooding in Bangladesh is caused by natural activities such as heavy rainfall and human activities such as rapid industrialization. There is a need to address both factors when implementing solutions to the challenge that has affected the country for years.
Impacts of Flooding in Bangladesh
Floods have adverse impacts on the well-being of human beings and animals by causing death and the destruction of property. The most vulnerable members of society are the sick, elderly, and children who require assistance to escape from sudden flooding. In Bangladesh, the biggest impact of flooding is death arising from diarrhea, waterborne illnesses, and snakebites. For example, in 2007, flooding analysis indicated that snake bites were one of the significant causes of loss of life in the country. The other leading cause of death was drowning because many people failed to seek shelter on safer grounds during the floods of 2007. Apart from death, the floods traumatized people by causing pain and suffering because of losing loved ones, losing employment, and reduced access to basic commodities. Most Bangladesh communities find it difficult to access fuel, including jute sticks, cow dung, and wood which is mostly washed away. Secondly, research indicates that extensive damage occurs to critical infrastructures such as roads, houses, and hospitals when flooding occurs in the community. Flooding also increases the risk of waterborne diseases, especially when clean water is contaminated. The increase of diseases is a serious concern in a region where health facilities such as hospitals are inaccessible. Flooding strains the finances of the country, making it difficult to reconstruct after the natural disaster.
Besides, in most rural areas, houses are constructed using mud, making them vulnerable to floods, especially during heavy rains. When the floods destroy learning institutions and hospitals, citizens find it challenging to access medical care and education. The other major impact of the floods is the destruction of plants and animals vital in maintaining food security in the country. Bangladesh is largely an agrarian economy illustrating the dangers faced by the country when agricultural produce is lost during flooding. Agriculture stands for approximately 19 percent of the country's GDP and employs approximately 45% of the total labor force. Therefore, whenever a flood hits the country, 45% of the total labor force is affected economically. For example, in 1988, a severe flood swept the country leading to the destruction of large rice plantations leading to food insecurity. Flooding leads to the disruption of industries r