Bangladesh Flood Management

The Flood Action Plan

The underlying principle is that it is quite impossible to stop Bangladesh flooding.  The aim, then, is to minimise the damage and maximise the benefits of the floodwaters and to ensure that the discharges of the three great rivers reach the Bay of Bengal with minimum harmful effect.

Flood management and mitigation strategies

Flood management strategies adopted in the country have continuously evolved over the last 50 years, in three distinct phases of their development, and with mixed experiences. Initially, the emphasis was on structural measures through the implementation of some large-scale flood control, drainage and irrigation (FCDI) projects. However, it was soon recognized that their implementation involved large investments, as well as longer duration for their completion. It was then opted for the construction of small and medium scale FCD projects so as to provide early benefits. Thereafter, it was realized that water resources development should not be focused only on agriculture but take also into account other sectors related to water resources utilization and development. Environmental protection also came to the fore. 

As a result, since the 1960’s about 628 large, medium and small-scale FCDI projects have been implemented; they comprise levees and embankments, drainage channel improvements, drainage structures, dams and barrages, pumping systems, etc. They have provided flood protection to about 5.37 million ha of land, which is about 35% of the total area.

Non-structural measures such as flood forecasting and warning were later incorporated, as it was felt that structural measures alone could not mitigate flood problems. The Flood Forecasting and

Warning System (FFWS), established in the 1970s, was modernized in 1996 and then again as of 2000. It now covers all the flood-prone areas of the country with 85 flood-monitoring stations, and provides real-time flood information and early warning with lead-times of 24 and 48 hours. The FFWS is currently assisting Government, disaster managers and the communities living in the flood prone areas in matters of flood preparedness, preparation of emergency mitigation plans, agricultural planning and rehabilitation, etc.  

In addition, more emphasis is now put on other non-structural means for flood mitigation, in particular by adopting a policy of involving communities in flood management, the stopping of encroachments on the flood plains through legislation controlling the developments in the flood plains and wetlands. In addition, a new concept is being introduced of controlled flooding as per desire of the stakeholders, instead of protecting some areas to make them completely flood-free. A pilot project was established in which flooding is allowed in each unit as decided by the stakeholders through consultation among themselves. 

Bangladesh 2004 flood responses

These are responses to a recent flood in Bangladesh showing how quickly they respond and how prepared they are when flooding occurs

Immediate Response (up to 2 weeks)

Rescue and evacuation, Water purification tablets; Oral saline; Food (rice, high-protein biscuits, grains, salt, pulses and vegetables);Medical supplies (for diarrhea, pneumonia, snake bites, sanitary towels);Non-food items (saris and lungis, cooking sets, candles and matches)Fodder; Tube well extensions.

Short Term Response (2 to 6 weeks)

Dry Food; Medical services; Tube well repair and rehabilitation.

Medium Term Response (6 weeks to 3 months)

Corrugated iron roof sheeting; Cash and other capital support; Seedlings (vegetables, pulses, paddy);

Fertilizer.

Long Term Response (3 to 6 months)

House building materials; Micro-credit; Awareness building; Embankment (re) construction; Flood Shelters;

Repair and rehabilitation of bridges and culverts; Road (re) construction; Rehabilitation of schools.

sources

http://www.apfm.info/pdf/case_studies/bangladesh.pdf

http://reliefweb.int/node/410666