Response To Flooding In Bangladesh

Response To Flooding In Bangladesh

1. Historical records show frequency and scale of flooding has increased in the last 50 years

   • Increases need for flood planning and preparation

2. Preparedness Programme

   • Cluster villages
     • Village that has been raised 2m above water level. Each village can house 25 - 30 families
   • Raised homestead
     • Individual homes raised 2m above water level on earth banks. Earth banks planted with grass to prevent erosion
   • Flood shelter
     • 2 hectares of raised land where people can bring livestock. Each shelter house 100 families, including community room an toilets
   • Rescue boats
     • Rescue boats located around areas most at risk and near to flood shelters
   • Radios
     • Radios given to 'preparedness committee'. Flood warnings can be issued and the preparedness plan put into action

3. Dhaka Integrated Flood Protection Project

   • Embankments
     • Earth embankments built to hold back rising water
   • Slope protection
     • To reduce the erosion of the embankments
   • Drains
     • Storm drains linked back to rivers
   • Sluice gates
     • Able to close channels when water rises

4. Ongoing debate about which method should be used

   • Hard engineering can control large amounts of water but it is expensive and can create environmental problems
   • Smaller-scale projects can be used across a wider area, but may have limited effect in large urban areas