Fears of worsening floods

There had been prediction of floods in mid-August, but perhaps the seriousness of the situation hadn’t been perceived at the time. Northern districts including Dinajpur, Lalmonirhat and Kurigram are in dire straits.

The rivers Brahmaputra, Ganges and Teesta river basins have experienced record rainfall and India is in floods. The impact will spill over into Bangladesh and things will worsen. Flood forecasts say that Bangladesh is about to face a serious deluge.

Floods are a natural reality and the water will naturally flow down through downstream Bangladesh. There is no choice but to do the best to protect property and lives. As it is, thousands and thousands of people have become trapped by the water. Many embankments in various districts of the north have already broken. Railway and roads links have snapped in many places. Water has even entered Syedpur airport. Further floods will worsen communications. The government and all concerned my adopt due measures to tackle the situation.

Our correspondents in the flood-affected areas say that the pople are faing a crisis of food and water. Shelters have been opened up, bu the relief so far is inadequate. The situation is worse and the poor and well-to do have been affected alike. The well-to-do hesitate to go to the shelters due to their social standing, they they too are facing food and water crises. All his has to be taken into consideration when relief programmes are taken up.

Tiver water has receded in certain areas, and increased in others. There is no room for feeling relieved at the receding waters. Two international organisations have forecast that upstream water will flow down into Bangladesh within 19 August. With this possibility of danger looming large, the government, local administration and all concerned by be prepared.

We hope the government and non-government organisations take all-out preparation to tackle the onslaught of floods. Advance and appropriate preparations can save lives and keep loses to a minimum. This is the biggest challenge at present.