Floods
Munem Wasif/ driknews
All our rivers are flowing from upstream India, Nepal and China and passing through various places, farmlands, villages, cities and towns to fall into the Bay of Bengal. Bangladesh experiences floods almost every year and the sufferings of our people, loss of life and property, know no bounds. Whenever we are affected by floodwater, we become vocal, raise many questions and complaints and come forward with various suggestions, plans and programmes. But as soon as the floodwater recedes, we fall asleep till such time we are attacked by waves of floods again. Decades of our sufferings and practical experiences teach and remind us as to when and in which month of Bangla or English calendar floods make our people homeless and cause miseries. We may divide flood into three periods (A) Pre-floods period (B) On-going flood period and (C) Post-floods period and make the following arrangements and precautionary measures in all districts and upazilas to minimise and mitigate the endless sufferings of our flood affected people. (A) Pre-floods 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 medicines. (B) On-going flood period: Ensure regular supply of food, pure drinking water and medicines to the flood affected people. (C) Post-floods period: Provide relief materials, cash money, bank loans and all help and assistance for rehabilitation of the affected people. Flood control is a matter of life and death for the 14 crore people of Bangladesh. We cannot sit idle with our hands crossed for an indefinite period. It is imperative that we raise the issue of flood control at the UNO, World Bank and SAARC and other international organisations and seek their help and assistance for the solution of this great and grave economic, financial and humanitarian problem of Bangladesh without further delay.
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