Despite fall in water levels of some rivers, weathermen and researchers have expressed apprehensions of massive flooding across the country in view of this year’s weather pattern.
They have observed that the nature and characteristics of this year’s monsoon wind bear similarity with those of 1987, 1988 and 1998, when the country had suffered devastating floods.
“A special feature of this year’s monsoon is that wind is coming from two ends (Bangladesh’s southeast region and from the Arab sea and this is called cross equitorial flow) and is causing massive rains in the Himalayas region,” said Samarendra Karmakar, a former director of Bangladesh Meteorological Department.
As a result, he pointed out, Nepal, India and Bangladesh are being affected by floodwaters. Bangladesh’s two major river systems — Brahmaputra and Ganges (Padma) have originated from the Himalayan region.
Meanwhile, the current flooding has affected Dhaka’s adjoining districts such as Manikganj and Tangail. Rivers near the capital city are still flowing below the danger levels but their rising trends continue, accorrding to official records.
Water expert Ainun Nishat has warned that the situation in the east and south would also deteriorate if the region around Dhaka is affected by floodwaters.
So far 26 districts out of 64 have been affected by floods but the ministries concerned have not yet finished their preparations. They have serious lack of coordination among themselves, suggest information available with the ministries.
The relief materials are yet to reach remote flood-hit areas, the affected people alleged. There is scarcity of foods, pure drinking water and water purification tablets at the shelter centres.
Out 1,599 shelter centres opened till date, only seven have water treatment plants.
The magnitude of this year’s flood may exceed the ones of earlier floods, officials of disaster management, agriculture, food, health and water resources ministries acknowledge.
Officials concerned have been directed to monitor and ensure proper distribution of relief materials, said principal secretary to the prime minister, Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury.
“I asked them to take measures so that safe water is available in the flood affected areas,” he told Prothom Alo, referring to an emergency meeting he chaired on Wednesday to review the situation.
According to the disaster management ministry update on Wednesday, 3.3 million people have been affected by the current flooding.
Ainun Nishat said it was well anticipated that Bangladesh would experience massive flooding in August and September.
“It’s unfortunate that there is a lack of preparation to face the floods,” he regretted.
According to Flood Information Centre, water levels of two major rivers Jamuna and Padma are in rising trend, while the Brahmaputra is in falling trend.
The Surma-Kushiyara river may continue to fall in the next 24 hours since 9am Thursday, the centre said.
However, the Ganges-Padma river is likely to continue to rise in the next 72 hours.
Source: Prothom Alo