Dr. Muhammad Mahtab Hossain Mazed :
Bangladesh is a disaster prone country.
In this country, every year there is a huge loss of life and property due to one or the other disaster.
Disaster early warning and risk reduction should be the main strategies of disaster management as evidenced by the prevalence of disasters worldwide.
In this context, the Bangladesh government’s policies and plans have included disaster prevention and disaster risk reduction strategies for the people.
And there is no way to prevent natural disasters, but it goes without saying that it is possible to reduce the damage by taking proper preparations and initiatives.
It is important to take into account that Bangladesh is a country prone to natural disasters.
On the other hand, needless to say, almost every year, Kalboishakhi begins from the month of Baisakh.
And people suffer from it.
A disorienting situation also arises. Life is disrupted.
For good reason it appears imperative to take into account the overall situation and continue effective initiatives in that context.
Types of Disasters: Natural disasters are of different types – earthquake, flood, storm, fire etc. These are so sudden and inevitable that it is impossible to control them. However, measures can be taken for immediate rescue and permanent rehabilitation.
Voluntary organizations can play a positive role with the government and administration in this regard.
Rehabilitation of the victims and taking necessary initiatives in this regard is essential.
The issue of damage caused by the storm should be taken into consideration and effective action should be taken as soon as possible by the concerned parties.
At the same time, it is also necessary to remember that appropriate preparations should be made keeping in mind the danger of storms.
Because the damage will be less if proper preparation is ensured.
Apart from this, the victims should be assisted.
It is also worth remembering that since Bangladesh is a naturally disaster-prone country, there is no substitute for long-term measures and proper preparedness to deal with disasters for good reason. In this context, we want to say that people are affected by various types of natural disasters including storms and floods.
Apart from this, due to the disaster, the dam broke and flooded with tidal water.
Various types of irregularities including dam construction due to various reasons including floods and tidal waves are also discussed.
As a result, these must also be taken into account. Any increase in suffering due to substandard construction or negligence of any kind cannot be acceptable.
As a result, proper planning should be taken keeping these issues in mind and its implementation should be ensured.
It is necessary to say that taking into consideration the damage caused by the storm, it is necessary to take initiative of the concerned parties in accordance with the determination to be made.
Apart from crop damage, the loss of life due to lightning cannot be avoided.
In this case, it should be said that lightning has increased at an unusual rate in recent years.
At the same time, the death rate due to lightning has also increased.
Experts believe that the unusual lightning is due to the increase in the temperature of the earth, which is naturally worrisome.
Incidentally, we also want to say that farmers are more affected by natural disasters.
Farmers are killed by lightning while working in the field.
And controlling natural disasters, such as floods, requires short and long-term effective measures and proper implementation.
In order to clean the river course, it is necessary to increase the navigability and water capacity of the river by removing the sediment accumulated in the river course by dredging with advanced technology.
Where and how to increase the navigability of the river should be done on the basis of proper assessment.
In this regard, synergy between thematic research and technology is essential.
Experts said the “natural power” of the river must be harnessed to increase the depth.
Government action is needed to address the man-made causes of floods and waterlogging.
There is no alternative to flood control other than de-encroachment of rivers, canals, bils, hoards, and other wetlands.
It is impossible to control the flood in many district cities including Dhaka and Chittagong metropolises by filling up swamps around the city and blocking the normal course of water flow.
In order to reduce waterlogging in the city, it is necessary to plan, properly design and implement it for the entire city and its surrounding areas, rather than looking for local solutions. The point is not to control the flood, but to find a solution in the management.
There are more than 50 common rivers between Bangladesh and India.
It is essential to take measures on priority basis for water distribution of joint rivers including Teesta-Ganga for flood control.
Due to the Farakka Dam, Bangladesh suffers from droughts in the dry season and floods in the monsoons.
Not only the Farakka dam on the Indian border, but also the infrastructure development of almost all the rivers including the Teesta need to be monitored. In this case it is recommended to strengthen water diplomacy.
It is true that there is no way to prevent natural disasters, but if preparedness and necessary steps are ensured, it is possible to reduce the damage to a great extent – which should be taken into account and all efforts of the concerned parties should be continued in adopting and implementing long-term plans.
This time, in view of the impact of the storm, the concerned should take into account the damage and ensure the assistance to the victims.
At the same time, all-out preparations should be made to deal with any type of disaster subject to monitoring the overall situation and overall efforts should be continued in its proper implementation.
(The writer is columnist and researcher Founder and Chairman, Jatiya Rogi Kallyan Society Email, [email protected])