Rivers

• Rivers- Bangladesh- Ganges River

  Opportunities;

  • Water supply- Cleaning, bathing, drinking Irrigation. Enough for dense population of 1101 people per km².
  • Transport and trade- Provides a large route and good communication and transport link for transporting bulky good such as coal, sand and construction materials
  • Fertile land- Agriculture of rice and jute. In Bangladesh, nearly 40% of people work in agriculture - many of them subsistence farmers.
  • Fish Supply- Trade, boosting economy. Food can feed the dense population. Provide lots of jobs for locals.
• Rivers- Bangladesh- Ganges River

  Bangladesh's Response:

  • The UK donated £21 million in aid.
  • Local people created self help schemes to help rebuild their properties and communities.
  • Homesteads were raised by 2 metres to help them survive the next floods.
  • Farmers were given assistance including free seeds from charities.
  • Flood shelters and some early warning systems including by radio have been put in place.
• Hard Management Strategies:

  • Embankments and Flood Walls: Bangladesh constructed over 3,500 kilometers of embankments along the Ganges River and its tributaries, protecting approximately 30 million people.
  • Reservoirs and Dams: The Farakka Barrage in India releases water at 40,000 to 50,000 cubic feet per second during the dry season, stabilizing water levels and lowering flood risks downstream in Bangladesh.
  • Channelization: The Bangladesh Water Development Board straightend and maintained approximately 8,000 kilometers of river channels, improving drainage and reducing flood risk.
• Soft Management Strategies:

  • Flood Forecasting and Early Warning Systems: The Bangladesh Flood Forecasting and Warning Center (FFWC) operates over 120 river gauge stations and 56 rainfall monitoring stations within the Ganges basin, providing real-time data for flood forecasts and early warnings.
  • Community-Based Flood Preparedness: Community involvement is paramount for effective flood management in Bangladesh. Organizations like the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society have trained over 10,000 volunteers in flood preparedness and response specifically within Ganges basin communities.
• Rivers Bangladesh- Causing of Flooding:

  • Monsoon Rains: Average annual rainfall during monsoon season ranges from 2,000 to 3,000 millimeters in Bangladesh, contributing to river overflow.
  • Himalayan Snow melt: Himalayan snow melt contributes approximately 10-15% of the Ganges' total annual discharge, significantly impacting flood levels.
  • Deforestation: Deforestation in the upstream catchment areas accelerates soil erosion and sedimentation, reducing the river's capacity to hold water and increasing flood susceptibility. Bangladesh loses approximately 1% of its forest cover annually.
• Rivers Bangladesh- Impacts:

  • Crop Losses and Food Insecurity: Floods affect approximately 25% of Bangladesh's agricultural land annually, resulting in substantial crop losses and food insecurity.
  • Health Risks: Floods increase the risk of waterborne diseases such as diarrhea, cholera, and vector-borne diseases like malaria and dengue fever.
  • Economic Impact: In 2020, floods caused an estimated economic loss of $5.5 billion, equivalent to approximately 2% of Bangladesh's GDP, affecting agriculture, industry, and infrastructure sectors.