Bangladesh faced several major extreme weather events in 2024, leading to severe loss and damages to lives and livelihood. The recent floods in the Eastern parts of Bangladesh caused damage amounting to at least BDT 14,421.46 crore, which is 1.81 per cent of the National Budget for FY2024-25, 0.29 per cent of the provisional Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for FY2023-24, and 0.26 per cent of the projected GDP for FY2024-25. The agriculture and forestry sector suffered the highest damage, amounting to BDT 5,169.71 crore, which is 35.85 per cent of the total damage. The infrastructure sector stands second with damage of BDT 4,653.92 crore, accounting for 32.27 per cent of the total damage, followed by the housing sector with BDT 2,407.31 crore, accounting for 16.69 per cent of the total damage. The most affected districts in terms of monetary value were Noakhali, accounting for 29.07 per cent of the total damage, followed by Cumilla with 23.51 per cent, Feni with 18.61 per cent, and Chattogram with 11.63 per cent.
These are some of the findings that emerged at the media briefing titled ‘Recent Flood Damage and Rehabilitation Process in the Eastern Region: CPD’s Analysis’ on Sunday, 6 October 2024, organised by the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) under its flagship programme Independent Review of Bangladesh Development (IRBD).
In her introductory remarks, Dr Fahmida Khatun, Executive Director of CPD, highlighted ‘Remal made landfall near Bangladesh with strong winds and storm surges, causing severe damages’. She elaborated that the cyclone affected 4.6 million people across 8 coastal districts, including Shatkhira, Khulna, Bagerhat, Borguna, Patuakhali, Barisal, and Bhola, resulting in a loss of USD 600 million.
‘Damage was higher in the private sector, accounting for 53 per cent or 636 million dollars, compared to the public sector at 47 per cent or 524 million dollars’ underscored the Research Director of CPD, Dr Khondaker Golam Moazzem. He remarked that as private sector losses are expected to rise, disaster-related assistance structures will need to be adjusted.
In his keynote presentation, Mr Muntaseer Kamal, Research Fellow, CPD, emphasised the need for the Government to increase the budget allocation for relief distribution, particularly given the projected rise in both the frequency and intensity of floods and cyclones. Social safety net allocations, especially for vulnerable groups like elderly citizens, widows, and destitute women, should be carefully assessed and increased to mitigate the impact in flood-affected areas.
Ensuring easy access to finance and providing debt relief was also a key point of discussion. ‘The Government needs to facilitate easier access to agricultural loans for farmers who are struggling to recover from the devastation caused by floods’ urged the Research Fellow. He also highlighted that many small businesses, particularly those that have borrowed from microfinance institutions, have also been severely impacted. Mr Kamal suggested that the Government should consider a moratorium on loan repayments and an extension of repayment periods to help these businesses survive the crisis.
Ensuring an adequate supply of seeds is essential to avoid disruptions in the upcoming Aman cultivation season. Mr Kamal stressed that immediate action is required to ensure this supply is sufficient to support the recovery of the agricultural sector.
‘The damage to agriculture could have a significant impact on food security’ underscored Mr Kamal. As a result, controlling inflation will be a major challenge in the months to come. He urged the Government to take immediate steps to prepare for rice imports and to consider reducing import duties on agricultural inputs and commodities to ensure the stability of food supplies.
In terms of emergency response systems, he suggested that radio communication systems should be established between administrative offices for instances where mobile networks are disrupted during floods. Additionally, sufficient ambulatory boats must be made available in flood-affected areas.
Effective coordination among stakeholders is critical for rapid emergency response before and during flood events. Coordination between the Meteorological Department, the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre, the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief (MoDMR), and local government units such as Union Parishads should also be strengthened to enhance preparedness and response capabilities.
Mr Kamal highlighted the importance of improving data collection and sharing systems to facilitate real-time coordination between government offices. Enhancing weather data sharing with neighboring countries is also vital for effective flood management. Furthermore, maintaining electronic records that are accessible by all government offices across Bangladesh would improve the efficiency of disaster response.
Strengthening government relief offices is another crucial recommendation. Adequate personnel and proper training for relief officers are essential for effective operation. He also suggested that coordination among relevant government agencies must be improved for better service delivery during disasters.
In terms of infrastructure, Mr Kamal called for a hydromorphological study to assess the adequacy of waterways, culverts, and drainage systems. Repairs to embankments should be prioritised, and the use of higher-quality materials in their construction is necessary to ensure durability. He also noted that embankments in coastal areas, currently at a height of 15 feet, should be raised to 21 feet to better protect against future floods. Budget allocations for these purposes must be increased accordingly.
Improving flood forecasting and early warning systems was another key recommendation. Mr Kamal advocated for upgrading the flood forecasting system, particularly to enhance its ability to predict flash floods. He also recommended integrating real-time satellite data into forecasting models to improve their accuracy. Local administrative offices, such as Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNO) and local MoDMR offices, should regularly monitor forecasts and be prepared for emergencies. Additionally, the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre should be equipped with adequate human resources to ensure effective operation.
To maximise the reach of flood warnings, local government officials should simplify complex danger signals into clear, actionable messages that the public can easily understand. The Government should also provide emergency alerts via SMS in areas where floods or heavy rainfall are predicted. TV channels should regularly broadcast weather forecasts to keep citizens informed.
Mr Kamal also highlighted the importance of raising awareness among local citizens. Local Governments, in collaboration with communities, should implement initiatives to educate citizens on cost-effective measures to reduce flood damage and provide information on emergency hotline numbers. Awareness campaigns could play a crucial role in improving preparedness at the community level.
The Research Fellow called for nationwide hazard assessments to be conducted, particularly in the context of long-term development planning. Proper planning and construction of infrastructure such as roads, culverts, and bridges are necessary to ensure the natural flow of floodwaters and prevent waterlogging.
He emphasised the need for a comprehensive land-use plan that designates areas for urban development, agriculture, and other uses to mitigate flood risks. Restoring occupied canals and rivers is also crucial to prevent blockages during heavy rainfall. Moreover, future development projects should be designed with consideration for increased rainfall and more frequent flooding due to climate change. In urban areas, improving water infiltration methods by creating open spaces and reducing reliance on costly water-pumping systems would contribute to more effective flood management.
An open-floor Q&A session with journalists from both print and electronic media followed the discussion.