The consequences of climate change are no longer a distant possibility, and they have not been for a while: Severe flooding in Bangladesh

Abstract

Floods in Northern Bangladesh are not new. However, in recent times, these floods have increasingly become a dire humanitarian crisis. Eighteen million people have been impacted due to extensive monsoon flooding. Regions such as Cox’s Bazar, where many Rohingya refugees reside, have also been left with tremendous damage. Alongside the Bangladeshi government, the UN reports severe damage to infrastructure and agriculture. As a result of these damages, over a million families have been stranded with low-quality essential medical supplies. Furthermore, the collapse of sanitation systems has heightened the risk of waterborne diseases. Health issues have also risen as diarrhoea, skin diseases, and snake bites have surged. This has incentivised the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) to deploy over 1,200 mobile medical teams. Unfortunately, ongoing flooding and road blockages restrict relief efforts, with fatalities reaching 71. Critical responders include the Bangladesh government, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), UNICEF, and the World Food Programme (WFP). The DGHS provides critical healthcare, while UNICEF and the UNHCR distribute hygiene kits, water purification tablets, and other supplies. Appeals for foreign help stress the crucial need for immediate relief and long-term development support to avert future climate consequences.

Context

Heavy monsoon rains have exacerbated floods in Bangladesh. Millions have been affected, resulting in widespread food shortages, with farmlands buried in sand, devastating local farmers. According to experts, these floods result from unusual weather patterns caused by climate change. Furthermore, weak flood control and complex ties with Bangladesh’s neighbour India, especially disagreements over the Dumbur Dam, have hampered flood forecasts, exacerbating the severity of the effect. However, India states that Bangladesh has no flood concerns related to the Farakka water release.

Key Insights

Flooding has wrecked key infrastructure, agriculture, and homes, causing serious food insecurity and service interruptions. Over 7,000 schools have shut down, affecting 1.7 million children, and damaged cropland has resulted in $282 million in agricultural losses. Access to medical treatment is limited owing to blocked roads, and reports of increased waterborne illnesses such as diarrhoea and skin infections have been reported. To deal with the growing frequency and severity of such occurrences, better cross-border collaboration and upgraded infrastructure are required.

Purpose

Relief efforts aim to address immediate needs while building resilience for future crises. In partnership with international organisations, the Bangladesh government is deploying mobile medical teams, distributing essential supplies, and restoring access to clean water. Long-term goals focus on enhancing climate resilience through infrastructure improvements and sustainable planning to manage recurring floods more effectively.

What Now?

Bangladesh requires international assistance to manage the health crisis and provide stranded populations with essential resources. UNICEF has requested $35 million for ongoing relief operations, and efforts to reach vulnerable groups, such as children and older people, are underway. Long-term climate adaptation strategies, such as enhanced urban design, drainage systems, and infrastructure strengthening, are crucial for mitigating the effects of periodic floods on Bangladesh's climate-vulnerable inhabitants.

Implications for Climate Change

This, along with many other catastrophic climate disasters in Bangladesh, underscores the pressing global imperative to address climate change. Unpredictable rainfall, urban mismanagement, and compromised natural drainage systems have worsened the crisis, spotlighting Bangladesh’s position on the front lines of climate-induced disasters. Research calls for the importance of multi-hazard assessments for policy-making. This strategy promotes informed decision-making for disaster risk reduction, community resilience, and long-term management of sensitive coastal resources by alerting local authorities about the interlinked threats.

Biblography

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