Thursday, 26 April 2012

Bangladesh : Flood Defence Scheme [Case Study]

Bangladesh : Flood Defence Scheme [Case Study]


Causes:

Natural

  1. Monsoon Climate - Long periods of heavy rainfall. Up to 100mm/Day.
  2. Snow Melt - Rapid increase in river discharge.
  3. Low lying land - River Delta
  4. Cyclones - Regularly hit Bangladesh at speeds of 200 kph.

Human

  1. Deforestation
  2. Living on flood plains
  3. Global Warming

Effects

The floods in Bangladesh hugely affect and shape the country, some of the effects they cause are:
  • Disease
  • Building Damage
  • High Death toll. (140,000 die a year from floods)
  • Mass Movement
  • Crops Destroyed
  • Psychological Damage
  • Famine
  • Poverty

Protection Measures

Many warning systems are being setup in order to combat the floods and try to defend the inhabitants against them. For example:

- Satellite Tracking
- Officers in each village.
- Radio Warnings
- Warning Flag System.

In addition to simple warning systems, they also take action against it such as,
  • Strengthen embankments along the shore.
  • Plant mangrove trees along the shore to halt waves.
  • Build storm shelters on stilts. Each of these cost £80,000.
  • Educate the people to use the shelters. 
Furthermore, emergency aid is donated and used, things like food, water, blankets, medicine and shelters for the future.

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