What Are The Causes Effects End Responses To Coastal Flooding In Bangladesh?

The Causes Of coastal Flooding... Bangladesh is one of the worlds most densely populated countries it is also one of the poorest countries in the world. It also has one off the three most powerful rivers passing through it The Ganges, the Meghna & the Brahmaputra. It experiences floods and tropical storms every year. Bangladesh has many disadvantages, there are many physical and Human causes that allowed the floods to be worse, such as; Physical Causes of the Floods : 70% off Bangladesh is less than 1 meter above sea level. 10% of the land is made up of lakes or rivers. Bangladesh experiences heavy rains. Many Tropical storms bring heavy rain and a lot of flooding. The main cause was the above average and long period of heavy rain which also caused 3 rivers to have to have their peak flow at the same time. The Human Causes of the Floods: Deforestation in the Himalayas adds to deposition and flooding downstream. Urbanisation of the Flood plain has increased magnitude & frequency of floods . Global warming is blamed for sea level rise, increased snow melt and more rainfall in the region. Poorly maintained embankments leak and collapse in times of high discharge .

70% off Bangladesh is less than 1 meter above sea level.

10% of the land is made up of lakes or rivers.

Bangladesh experiences heavy rains.

Many Tropical storms bring heavy rain and a lot of flooding.

The main cause was the above average and long period of heavy rain which also caused 3 rivers to have to have their peak flow at the same time.

Deforestation in the Himalayas adds to deposition and flooding downstream.

Urbanisation of the Flood plain has increased magnitude & frequency of floods .

Global warming is blamed for sea level rise, increased snow melt and more rainfall in the region.

Poorly maintained embankments leak and collapse in times of high discharge .

Places Which Most Are At Risk Most... In India the worst affected region is Assam. Waters have risen before, sweeping away 16 villagers and submerging 500,000 hectares of cropland.

The Effects... The 1998 Flood caused many disasters for Bangladesh …. Over 57% of the land area was flooded. Over 1300 people were killed. 7 million homes were destroyed. 25 million people were made homeless. There was a serious shortage of drinking water & dry food. Diseases spread such as bronchitus and cholera/diarrhoea. As the waters receded - it left fields of rotting crops, wrecked roads and bridges and destroyed villages. 2 million tonnes of rice was destroyed. 1/2 million cattle and poultry were lost. Overall the floods cost the country almost $1 billion.

Over 57% of the land area was flooded.

Over 1300 people were killed.

7 million homes were destroyed.

25 million people were made homeless.

There was a serious shortage of drinking water & dry food.

Diseases spread such as bronchitus and cholera/diarrhoea.

As the waters receded - it left fields of rotting crops, wrecked roads and bridges and destroyed villages.

2 million tonnes of rice was destroyed.

1/2 million cattle and poultry were lost.

Overall the floods cost the country almost $1 billion.

Precautions that have been taken to reduce the risk.... Short Term Management Boats to rescue people. Emergency supplies for food, water, tents and medicines. Fodder for livestock. Repair and rebuild houses, as well as services such as sewage etc Aid from other countries Long Term Management Reduce Deforestation Build 7 large dams in Bangladesh to store excess water. Build 5000 flood shelters to accommodate all the population. Build 350km of embankment - 7 metres Create flood water storage areas. Develop an effective Flood Warning Scheme

Short Term Management

Boats to rescue people.

Emergency supplies for food, water, tents and medicines.

Fodder for livestock.

Repair and rebuild houses, as well as services such as sewage etc

Aid from other countries

Long Term Management

Reduce Deforestation

Build 7 large dams in Bangladesh to store excess water.

Build 5000 flood shelters to accommodate all the population.

Build 350km of embankment - 7 metres

Create flood water storage areas.

Develop an effective Flood Warning Scheme

By Jessica Krauza