The Flood In Bangladesh

Introduction: Blessed with the gifts of modern science, man is puffed up with pride. In his pride of power he proclaims himself the lord of land, are and water and there is none to dispute his right. To reach him a good lesson nature appears before him “red in tooth and claw”.
Bangladesh is a low land. It has many rivers. She is also in the monsoon area. It rains heavily during the monsoon period. So floods are very common in our country. Almost every year flood visits our country.

In the remote past it was believed that flood is the outcome of God’s wrath upon man. When people of a particular area committed sin, God punished them by sending floods in that area. With the growth of scientific knowledge man has however come to realize that floods are caused by heavy rains. Rivers cannot hold the waters, as a result they overflow their banks and cause flood. Floods are caused by some other reasons. Sometimes, there is heavy rush of water from the mountain through our ricers. Sudden melting of snow or tidal bores causes flood.

Damage: The havoc done by flood beggars description. It causes a heavy damage to our life and properties. Houses are destroyed, cattle are washed away, crops are greatly damaged and trees are uprooted. The weak, the invalid and the children meet watery grave. The strong climb up the trees or house tops and save themselves. Thousands of people become homeless or shelter less. They remain without food for many days on house tops or on the branches of trees. All communications from the outside world is cut off. Then move by boats.
The flood of 1988 broke the records of the past. Ever before did water level rise so high nor was the duration so long. The whole country went under water. All communication was cut off. Normal activities were stopped for long time. Many people became homeless. The miseries of the affected people knew no bounds. Crops were greatly damaged. Herds of cattle were washes away. Thousands of people met watery grave. In a word the havoc was so great that it took a long time to repair the loss.
But the after effect of floods are more serious. Famine breaks put in the flood affected areas and many people die for want of food. The prices of all necessary things go up. Many dangerous diseases like cholera, typhoid and dysentery etc, break out in an epidemic form. Scarcity of good drinking water causes great suffering. It ruins the economy of a country.

Merits: Floods do a little good to man. During floods our rivers carry a great deal of earth and mud which we call silt. This silt makes the land fertile. As a result many kinds of crops grow in plenty. Floods also carry away waste matters.

Relief work: During and after the flood the relief work should go on. Otherwise the miseries of the affected people will increase. During the flood government and some other voluntary organizations come forward to help the flood affected people. Relief camps are opened. People get food, cloths, and other necessary things there. Te affected people should be sheltered and fed for a long time. Loans should be given them so that they could again run their family.

How to prevent floods: Proper steps should be taken to control floods. All the rivers should be excavated and good drainage system should be introduced. A large number of sluices and outlets should be made for the easy passing of rain water.