The New Nation - Internet Edition

It is neither strange nor untrue that on account of geography and weather of our country, our all rivers flowing from upstream India, Nepal and China and passing through our various areas, farmlands, villages, cities and towns fall into the Bay of Bengal. Bangladesh is prone to flood almost every year and the sufferings of our people, our loss of life and properties; economic and financial losses know no bounds. Anywhere and whenever we are affected by flood waters we always make hue and cry,' raise many questions and complaints and come forward with various suggestions, plans and programmes. But as soon as flood waters recede we fall asleep till such time we are atacked by waves of flood waters again.

Decades of our sufferings and practical experiences teach and remind us as to when and in which month of Bangla or English calender flood waters make our people homeless, cause miseries, ruins and destructions.

We may divide flood into three periods (A) Pre-flood period (B) on going flood period and (C) Post-flood period and make the following arrangements and precautionary measures in our districts and upazila administrations to minimise and mintigate the endless sufferings of our flood affected people.

(A) Pre-flood period: i) Make arrangement for transports, boats and speed boats for transfer of flood affected people to safer places and relief camps. ii) Store sufficient food pure drinking water and medicine.

(B) On going flood period: Ensure regular supply of food, pure drinking water and medicine to the flood affected people. (C) Post flood period: Provide relief materials, cash money, bank loans and all help and assistance for rehabilitation of flood affected people.

Flood control is a mater of life and death for fourteen crore people of Bangladesh. We can not sit idle with our hands crossed for indefinite period. It is imperative that we may raise the issue of Bangladesh flood control at the UNO, World Bank, Islamic Bank, SAARC and other international organisations and seek their help and assistance for solution of this great and grave economic, financial and humanitarian problem of Bangladesh without further delay.

O.H. Kabir

Dhaka