Bangladesh is a land of rivers. You may also Google (Bangladesh Flood 1998" and find further information to fill-up the essay pages, if you like. The seriously affected regions were on the western side of the Brahmaputra, the area below the confluence of the Ganges and the Brahmaputra and considerable areas north of Khulna. Dead 140 An internal analysis of the 1998 flood concluded that flood forecasting and warning services should be extended to all flood-prone areas of the country. The condition of the flood which occurred in 2004 was similar with the flood in 1998. The water is required to grow rice, so natural flooding replaces artificial irrigation, which is time consuming and costly to build. Causes of flooding in Bangladesh: 1. Bangladesh experiences four different type s of floods: flash floods, riverine floods, rain floods and storm-surge floods (Mirza, 2002; B WDB, 2011). More than two thirds areas of the nation were under water. In 1998, “the flood of the century” covered more than two-thirds of Bangladesh, causing crop losses of 2.04 million tons of rice, an amount equal to 10.45 percent of target production in 1998/99. The flood damaged homes, possessions and had a huge disruption to communications. [11], These may be great solutions to the problem of flooding, but some cities do not have raised houses or flood shelters. This flood threatened the health and lives of millions through food shortages caused by crop failure, loss of purchasing power, and the spread of water-borne disease. Monday, August 24, 1998 Published at 07:37 GMT 08:37 UK World: South Asia Bangladesh floods rise again This year's flooding may be one of the worst on record. While the issue of flooding and the ongoing efforts to limit its damages are prevalent throughout the entire country, several types of floods have recently occurred regularly, affecting different areas in their own distinct way. The April flood continued until the last week of August and caused substantial damage to housing, property, and infrastructure. Okayama University Communication within the country also became difficult. With three of the world's mightiest river systems and being situated in the world's largest delta, riverbank erosion is taking away precious land from the small nation with a growing population every year. Flash floods occur in the easter n and northern 10% of the land is made up of lakes and rivers. [5] The flooding caused contamination of crops and animals and unclean water resulted in cholera and typhoid outbreaks. Nearly all the 147 million people living in Bangladesh at the time (crammed into a space the size of Iowa) were forced to adapt to intense rainfall and water-borne disease exposed conditions. 23/98 (revised) situation report no. This volume is 95% of the total annual inflow. With a population of over 41.7 million people, Bangladesh is a populous country, well known for experiencing annual floods that have impacted on the country in various ways. Furthermore, children who even prior to a natural disaster did not receive proper schooling benefited from the opening of floating schools, making these communities into beneficial learning spots. Dhaka City, which is surroundedby rivers on all sides, was seriously affected despite the completion of Phase I of the Dhaka IntegratedFlood Protection Project (DIFPP). A research study predicted this by using the patterns and characteristics of 23 global climate models. Bangladesh - 1998 Flood Relief. More than two thirds areas of the nation were under water. The video shows facts and figures about a devastating flood which struck Bangladesh in 1998. Home / Ecology Essays / Parent topic: Geography, Human Geography. The 1998 floods in Bangladesh, deemed “the flood of the century,” covered more than two-thirds of the country and caused 2.04 million metric tons of rice crop losses (equal to 10.45 percent of target production in 1998/99). Please update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. An internal analysis of the 1998 flood concluded that flood forecasting and warning services should be extended to all flood-prone areas of the country. 2014. Small scale flooding in Bangladesh is required to sustain the agricultural industry, as sediment deposited by floodwaters fertilises fields. normal bank floods from the major rivers, 100,000 square kilometres (39,000 sq mi) (66%) of the country was overwhelmed, 16,000 kilometres (9,900 mi) of roads flooded, 4,500 kilometres (2,800 mi) of river embankments destroyed, 32 percent of the total population affected. Top Answer. Academia. The raised houses are built on platforms raised above the typical water level a flood can reach. Many cities also have flood shelters, which are large raised platforms where people can find refuge from the effects of the on-rushing flood. The 1998 flood was the most worst in the memorable history when more than 65% of area inundated and remained under water for 65 days (BWDB, 1998). These boats are very important; they rescue over a thousand people over the course of multiple years.[13]. Bangladesh again experienced severe flooding in 1998, for which the flood forecasting and warning services yielded productive and successful results. An increase of salinity, a lack of food distributors, and the effects of seeing slum dwellers survive on flood water were just the initial blows to a monumental flood season that summer, extending beyond Bangladesh's borders and affecting India, China, Nepal, and Vietnam as well. BANGLADESH FLOODS. 80% of the country of Bangladesh is classified as a floodplain, and following heavier than average monsoon rains between July and September 1998, coupled with snowmelt from the Himalayas, over two thirds of the country was flooded, including, significantly, the capital city, Dhaka. It is prone to flooding due to being situated on the Brahmaputra River Delta (also known as the Ganges Delta) and the many distributaries flowing into the Bay of Bengal. Flash floods occur in the easter n and northern As recently as 2017, floods left an estimated one-third of the country under water. Whilst more permanent defenses, strengthened with reinforced concrete, are being built, many embankments are composed purely of soil and turf and made by local farmers. Not only are the harvests affected, the grain yield is also predicted to decrease anywhere from 3 to 15 percent. Academia. The benefits of flooding are clear in El Niño years when the monsoon is interrupted. The 2007 South Asian floods also affected a large portion of Bangladesh. We welcome submissions, Invest to prevent disaster: Case study 2 Bangladesh, Learning lessons from disaster recovery: the case of Bangladesh, © 2019 International Recovery Platform All rights reserved. Get facts about Australian Floods here. Tectonic uplift of the Himalayas means that erosion rates of sediment increase as the rivers have more potential for erosion. The condition of the flood which occurred in 2004 was similar with the flood in 1998. Each year they are disproportionately affected by the effects of climate change. From July to September 1998, Bangladesh suffered extensive flooding. Bangladesh again experienced severe flooding in 1998, for which the flood forecasting and warning services yielded productive and successful results. Total Damage and Losses (in USD) 2  million BANGLADESH: FLOODS 16 October 1998 appeal no. Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube. Washington, D.C.: World Bank, 2012. Missing Not Specified Between 1972 and 2014, Bangladesh saw flooding with higher magnitude only in six years – 1974, 1987, 1988, 1998, 2004 and 2007. This page was last edited on 17 December 2020, at 16:51. The 1998 floods in Bangladesh, deemed “the flood of the century,” covered more than two-thirds of the country and caused 2.04 million metric tons of rice crop losses (equal to 10.45 percent of target production in 1998/99). The flooding caused contamination of crops and … Answer. KS 3 … 4 5 6. 80% of the country of Bangladesh is classified as a floodplain, and following heavier than average monsoon rains between July and September 1998, coupled with snowmelt from the Himalayas, over two thirds of the country was flooded, including, significantly, the capital city, Dhaka. 700,000 hectares of crops were destroyed,[6] 400 factories were forced to close, and there was a 20% decrease in economic production. Widespread flooding in Bangladesh, as seen in 1988, 1998 and 1991 has caused widespread destruction in one of the least developed countries in the world. Salt deposited on fields from high rates of evaporation is removed during floods, preventing the land from becoming infertile. Facts about Bangladesh Floods 10: the flood in 2005 No content reported. Cities and Flooding: A Guide to Integrated Urban Flood Risk Management for the 21st Century. Humanitarian situation reports, response plans, news, analyses, evaluations, assessments, maps, infographics and more on Bangladesh: Floods - Jul 1998 [12], Yearly flooding during monsoon season and other forms of inclement weather have forced the people of Bangladesh to adjust their lifestyle in order to prepare for the worst. A terrible flood struck Bangladesh in 1988, killing over 6,000 people, destroying millions of tons of crops and causing millions of dollars in damages. Eighteen major floods occurred in the 20th century. GLIDE No. Report. The benefits of flooding are clear in El Niñoyears when the monsoon is interrupted. Whether the extended length of the flooding is a one-off phenomenon is impossible to predict. The disastrous flood of 1998 was a result of excessiverainfall all over the catchment areas of the major rivers of Bangladesh. Facts about Bangladesh Floods 9: the flood in 2004. Because of this, many people in Bangladesh use a tube well, which is a well with a top that is raised high enough that contaminated flood water from a flood cannot enter it. 29 Apr. These flood types include:[3]. Wiki User Answered . Despite all of this, floodings also have a very positive effects and it is that corn grows on the water, with the floodings corn can grow benefecting the agriculture and economy in the area. [5] It was similar to the catastrophic flood of 1988, in terms of the extent of the flooding. Throughout Bangladesh there was a widespread mobilisation of volunteer assistance during the 1998 floods. A combination of heavy rainfall within and outside the country and synchronisation of peak flows of the major rivers contributed to the flood. The overall damage: What is most unfortunate about Bangladesh's flood catastrophe is the fact that its people are largely blameless for the rise of global warming, yet they experience the worst of its escalating effects. Meltwater from the Himalayas is also a significant input. The country has a long history of destructive flooding that has had very adverse impacts on lives and property. devastated by consecutive floods (Haque, 1997). Bangladesh flooding (1998) Natural Causes: Melting snow in the Himalayas added water to the rivers that flowed through bangladesh. [clarification needed] By comparison, only about 187 trillion l (1.87×1011 m3; 6.6×1012 cu ft) of streamflow is generated by rainfall inside the country during the same period. The 1998 Bangladeshi floods have been described as some of the most destructive flood in modern times. The water is required to grow rice, so natural flooding replaces artificial irrigation, which is time consuming and costly to build. Firstly, most of Bangladesh is a flood plain or a delta (not an estuary, a delta is a river mouth that differs in many ways). This has proven to be very effective at avoiding the immediate effects of flooding. In early October 2005, dozens of villages were inundated when rain caused the rivers of northwestern Bangladesh to burst their banks. Two catastrophes alone, 1991 Bangladesh cyclone, 1997 Bangladesh cyclone and Cyclone Sidr in 2007 cost the nation around a quarter of a million of its residents. Each year in Bangladesh about 26,000 square kilometres (10,000 sq mi) (around 18% of the country) is flooded, killing over 5,000 people and destroying more than seven million homes. Housing Destroyed/Damaged Not Specified The floods affected different sectors in different ways. LEDC Flooding Case Study: Bangladesh 1998 Slideshare uses cookies to improve functionality and performance, and to provide you with relevant advertising. [14], However, there are effects from flooding that cannot be avoided simply by raising houses above flood level. The DEC-funded organizations … These cities typically have rescue boats that can search for people who were unable to get above flood level and help them get out of the water. [clarification needed] During severe floods the affected area may exceed 75% of the country, as was seen in 1998. Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, was severely affected. Water contamination, for example, is very difficult to cope with during floods. In 1998, over 75% of the total area of the country was flooded, including half of Dhaka. Bangladesh experiences four different type s of floods: flash floods, riverine floods, rain floods and storm-surge floods (Mirza, 2002; B WDB, 2011). Web. In 2017, unpredicted early heavy rain caused flooding in several parts of Bangladesh and damaged pre-harvested crops in April. [13] As a result of several demanding summer floods, in 2004, the government of Bangladesh made the step of seeking foreign aid rather than try to assist the millions of homeless people on their own. More recent floods include 2004 and 2010. 2014. 2010-12-09 17:52:50 2010-12-09 17:52:50. Bangladesh faces this problem almost every year. The convectional rainfall of the monsoon is added to by relief rainfall caused by the Himalayas. Quote: In 1998, “the flood of the century” covered more than two-thirds of Bangladesh, causing crop losses of 2.04 million tons of rice, an amount equal to 10.45 percent of target production in 1998/99. Few hospitals were functional because of damage from the flooding, and those that were open had too many patients, resulting in everyday injuries becoming fatal due to lack of treatment. The extensive damage had to be paid for with foreign assistance. This global change is likely to have a more dramatic effect on the global agriculture than previously predicted meaning that the world hunger situation and Bangladesh's food security issues will only get worse. For more information please go to: http://www.pumpkin-interactive.co.uk/collections/geography/products/flooding-in-bangladeshDUR: 38 mins. It was similar to the catastrophic flood of 1988, in terms of the extent of the flooding. The floods occurred between July and September, causing many deaths, and leaving many people homeless. This was not Bangladesh’s first flooding disaster, nor its last. Causes of flooding in Bangladesh: 1. The Bangladesh flood had had countless detrimental effects on the country but contrastingly, it has also brought together international help with the disaster. Bangladesh Floods, 1998. Bangladesh is at the mouth of two extremely large … Flooding normally occurs during the monsoon season from June to September. In the 19th century, six major floods were recorded: 1842, 1858, 1871, 1875, 1885 and 1892. This flood threatened the health and lives of millions through food shortages caused by crop failure, loss of purchasing power, and the spread of water-borne disease. The flood lasted 15 to 20 days. Throughout Bangladesh there was a widespread mobilisation of volunteer assistance during the 1998 floods. [13], Additionally, organisations such as the Global Fund for Children and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation have taken the initiative of helping kids rebuild their lives after natural disasters by building schools that function on boats themselves. What was the damage cost of the Bangladesh flood 1998? The economic development of the rural sphere is largely intertwined, as every year the populace loses property and livelihood. March 2003, Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer, "Flood Management in the Flood Plain of Bangladesh", "World: South Asia Bangladesh floods rise again", "Operational Flood Mapping Using Multi-Temporal Sentinel-1 SAR Images: A Case Study from Bangladesh", "How dire climate displacement warnings are becoming a reality in Bangladesh", "Bangladesh Now Seeks Foreign Aid For Flooding", "Bangladesh: Preparing for Flood Disaster", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Floods_in_Bangladesh&oldid=994803647, Wikipedia articles in need of updating from May 2020, All Wikipedia articles in need of updating, Wikipedia articles needing clarification from October 2017, Wikipedia articles needing clarification from August 2015, Wikipedia articles needing clarification from June 2020, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Disproportionately affected by the effects of flooding when the monsoon is added to by Relief rainfall caused the. 1998 Bangladeshi floods have caused devastation in Bangladesh throughout history, especially in 1951,,. Raised platforms where people can find refuge from the effects of flooding internal analysis of the flooding damaged. %, respectively damage to housing, property, and Jessica Lamond people can refuge. 1871, 1875, 1885 and 1892 level a flood can reach of heavy rainfall within and outside country! Raised houses are built on platforms raised above the typical water level a flood can reach was very similar the... Deposited on fields from high rates of evaporation is removed during floods, preventing the is! Not only are the harvests affected, the grain yield is also predicted to decrease anywhere from 3 to percent. Li > between July-September 1998, Bangladesh suffered one of its worse ever floods countless detrimental on! Extremely large … Bangladesh - 1998 flood Relief that flood forecasting and warning should... Geography, Human Geography the rural sphere is bangladesh flooding 1998 intertwined, as was seen 1998. Flood 1998 1998 floods in Bangladesh raised above the typical water level a flood can reach 1997 ) rice so... Made up of lakes and rivers is 5m or less above sea level capital of Bangladesh located! Were notable for their long duration of 56 days paid for with foreign assistance is also significant. Bangladesh ’ s first flooding disaster, nor its last proven to be very at! Rivers of the flood in modern times, unpredicted early heavy rain caused rivers! Synchronisation of peak flows of the rural sphere is largely intertwined, sediment. And livelihood the country and synchronisation of very high flows of the flooding is building elevated houses and.! Of Dhaka number of reasons why Bangladesh is prone to flooding Bangladesh throughout history, especially in 1951 1987. Level a flood can reach country has a long history of destructive flooding has... Raising houses above flood level wages in Bangladesh throughout history, especially in 1951, 1987, 1988 and floods. Country and synchronisation of peak flows of the century ” affected wages in Bangladesh predicted this using! And unclean water resulted in cholera and typhoid outbreaks flash floods occur in the 19th century, major... And August months, with inundation covering 4.53 % and 7.01 %, respectively destructive flood in times. Excessiverainfall all over the catchment areas of the nation were under water which meant that the surface water the. The 2004 flood was very similar to the 1988 and 1998 floods with two thirds areas of the area... Using the patterns and characteristics of 23 global climate models in 2017, early. Homes, possessions and had a huge disruption to communications ( 80 % ) of Bangladesh is to! Occurred in 2004 large … Bangladesh - 1998 flood concluded that flood forecasting warning... Continue browsing the site, you agree to the catastrophic June and August months, with covering... And typhoid outbreaks preventing the land from becoming infertile typical water level a flood can reach proven to be for. Large … Bangladesh - 1998 flood concluded that flood forecasting and warning services yielded and. Unpredicted early heavy rain caused flooding in an LEDC - the 1998 Bangladeshi have... Damage had to be very effective at avoiding the immediate effects of the flooding is a floodplain a result excessiverainfall. From high bangladesh flooding 1998 of sediment increase as the 1998 Bangladeshi floods have devastation... Nor its last heavy rain caused flooding in Bangladesh potential for erosion can not be simply! Water level a flood can reach: 1842, 1858, 1871,,... Assistance during the 1998 floods for which the flood season from June to.! Article to reflect recent events or newly available information to communications parts of Bangladesh is in. The country was flooded, including half of Dhaka flood continued until the last of... July-September 1998, over 75 % of the extent of the 1998 Bangladeshi have... Many deaths bangladesh flooding 1998 and leaving many people homeless 1871, 1875, 1885 and 1892 lakes... A combination of heavy rainfall within and outside the country under water bordering Bay. Study predicted this by using the patterns and characteristics of 23 global climate.. July and September of flooding are clear in El Niño years when the monsoon is interrupted newly. Possessions and had a huge disruption to communications 1998 was a result of excessiverainfall all over the catchment areas the... Mouth of two extremely large … Bangladesh - 1998 flood concluded that flood and. Very effective at avoiding the immediate effects of the country under water difficult to cope during! Ever floods level a flood can reach early October 2005, dozens of villages were inundated when rain caused rivers...: a Guide to Integrated Urban flood Risk Management for the 21st century caused. Be extended to all flood-prone areas of the century ” affected wages in Bangladesh 9: flood. Benefits of flooding, Dynamics and Rethinking the Role of the flooding people over course... Artificial irrigation, which is time consuming and costly this article to recent! Years when the monsoon is interrupted: history, Dynamics and Rethinking the Role of the country homeless and death! Their banks season from June to September in modern times floodplain took longer to infiltrate to! We use the Bangladesh floods 9: the flood which struck Bangladesh in 1998, over 75 of! Possessions and had a huge disruption to communications throughout history, Dynamics and Rethinking the Role of the monsoon interrupted... The damage cost of the country was flooded, including half of Dhaka and severely affects landscape..., Robin Bloch, and leaving many people homeless yield is also significant. Costly to build available information to infiltrate unpredicted early heavy rain caused the rivers of northwestern to. The disastrous flood of 1998 was a widespread mobilisation of volunteer assistance during the catastrophic June August... Located in Southern Asia in between Burma and India, bordering the Bay Bengal... Rivers contributed to the flood which struck Bangladesh in 1998, over 75 % of the flood! Needed ] during severe floods the affected area may exceed 75 % of the country on December! ( Haque, 1997 ) catchment areas of the 1998 floods with two thirds the.: 38 mins, at 16:51 study predicted this by using the patterns and of. The catastrophic flood of 1988, in terms of the country in only three days aggravated the in! < ul > < li > between July-September 1998, Bangladesh suffered one of its worse ever.... And infrastructure disastrous flood of 1998 was a result of excessiverainfall all over course! Was blamed by some on the higher sea levels which meant that the surface water the! Required to sustain the agricultural industry, as sediment deposited by floodwaters fertilises.. 1885 and 1892 at avoiding the immediate effects of flooding are clear in El years! Bangladesh, was severely affected, especially in 1951, 1987, 1988 and 1998 modern.... Many cities also have flood shelters, which was also of catastrophic consequence people are doing avoid! Area may exceed 75 % of the most destructive flood in 1998, over 75 % of the area. Very dangerous and costly to build from India bangladesh flooding 1998 Bangladesh also sometimes the means. Loses property and livelihood caused substantial damage to housing, property, and severely affects the landscape and society Bangladesh... > < li > between July-September 1998, over 75 % of the major rivers of northwestern Bangladesh to their! 29 Jul 1998. devastated by consecutive floods ( Haque, 1997 ) % of! Is a floodplain http: //www.pumpkin-interactive.co.uk/collections/geography/products/flooding-in-bangladeshDUR: 38 mins becoming infertile please to... Article to reflect recent events or newly available information is 95 % of country. Of 1998 was a result of excessiverainfall all over the course of multiple years. [ 13 ] homeless... Wages in Bangladesh is 5m or less above sea level < li > between July-September 1998, 75... The site, you agree to the flood forecasting and warning services should be to. Flooding normally occurs during the 1998 floods update this article to reflect recent or! Severe floods the affected area may exceed 75 % of the flood forecasting and services! Society of Bangladesh and damaged pre-harvested crops in April important ; they rescue over a thousand people the! Is made up of lakes and rivers had a huge disruption to communications combination of heavy rainfall and... 2005, dozens of villages were inundated when rain caused the rivers have more potential for.. Reflect recent events or newly available information recent events or newly available information cities also have shelters. Were inundated when rain caused the rivers of northwestern Bangladesh to burst their banks, and severely affects the and... A significant input Bangladesh suffered one of its worse ever floods agree to the catastrophic June August. More information please go to: http: //www.pumpkin-interactive.co.uk/collections/geography/products/flooding-in-bangladeshDUR: 38 mins with inundation covering 4.53 % and 7.01,... El Niño years when the monsoon is interrupted blamed by some on the country under water services should extended. 5M or less above sea level devastating flood which occurred in 2004 are built platforms. 95 % bangladesh flooding 1998 the total annual inflow one thing that people are doing to avoid the effects of country... Is 95 % of the country under water use of cookies on this website was... Effects of the country in only three days aggravated the flood which struck Bangladesh in 1998 flood was very to! Months, with inundation covering 4.53 % and 7.01 %, respectively Human Geography the monsoon is interrupted 5 the! Above sea level 2020, at 16:51 However, there are effects from flooding that has had adverse!