The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNTIMELY floods have taken a serious turn. Damage of the flood protection embankment has caused river Jamuna to overflow and many villages have been inundated. The Jamuna at some points is reportedly flowing two to three feet above the danger level. The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre has predicted flooding of the low-lying areas of the central region including Dhaka. The devastating floods shows the unpredictability of flood and the vulnerability of the country to such calamities.

Flood water has washed away dwelling houses and standing crops, and damaged physical infrastructures including flood protection embankments and has disrupted road transportation networks in the affected areas. Millions of people marooned or displaced by the floods are leading a sub-human life due to lack of shelter, food and safe drinking water. The local administrations have reportedly started relief operations for the victims. Bangladesh Army has been deployed for rescue operations. The authorities should equip the flood affected people with medicine to fight water-borne diseases. An overall assessment of the damages caused by the flood needs to be made as early as possible to take all preparations for post-flood rehabilitation.

River erosion has taken a serious turn at some places of Greater Rangpur district. The time of cultivation of the transplanted Aman crop in greater Rangpur and Dinajpur is almost over. Aman crops sown earlier in the affected areas are rotting under flood water. As seedbeds and seedlings of transplanted Aman have been damaged, farmers will have to be provided with seeds, seedlings and fertilisers. The poor and marginal farmers should be given micro credit supports with repayment of the outstanding loans written off or deferred. Without such measures farmers will not be able to resume cultivation and recuperate losses.