Water experts urged that the increasing frequency and intensity of floods have led to widespread displacement, economic loss, and significant challenges to sustainable development, reports Dhaka Tribune.
They placed their urge before the government in a round table conference titled “Water and Bangladesh: Challenges and opportunities” in Hague.
In the conference, organized by the Embassy of Bangladesh to the Netherlands, Bangladeshi water experts working in the Netherlands, the Dutch ambassador to Bangladesh, Dutch Foreign Ministry officials, university professors, and water experts were present.
As climate change continues to intensify, flood management and water governance have become paramount concerns. Innovative and collaborative approaches are necessary to address these issues and turn water management into a vehicle for resilience, economic growth, and sustainable development.
The experts explore innovative solutions to harness opportunities and address the challenges posed by water and flooding in Bangladesh.
Water and Environmental Expert, Dr Ruknul Ferdous said that to mitigate flood risks, flood forecasting and early warning systems are extremely important.
Bangladesh Water Development Board’s Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) provides daily forecasts during the flood season, there are critical gaps in the dissemination of this information, especially at the local level. Flood forecasting has to be made more effective through enhanced dissemination strategies, community engagement, and clearer communication of risks, he added.
Kifayath Chowdhury, a PhD candidate at Delft University of Technology stressed that mitigation requires interdisciplinary collaboration across various sectors, including government agencies, scientists, engineers, urban planners, and community leaders. Better coordination among stakeholders can lead to the design and implementation of more resilient flood protection measures.
Mohammad Saidee Hasan, PhD candidate at TU Delft said that flood risks can be turned into economic opportunities. Instead of viewing floods as purely destructive, sustainable flood management techniques can enhance local economies and promote long-term growth.
He emphasized the use of natural infrastructure, such as wetlands and green spaces, to improve water retention and flood control while simultaneously supporting sectors like agriculture, tourism, and fisheries.
Md Feroz Islam, a researcher at Wageningen University and Research (WUR) urged that the climatic shifts will have far-reaching effects on water security, food security, and overall socio-economic stability.
Bangladesh Ambassador Tareque Muhammad mentioned that Bangladesh and the Netherlands are trusted partners in water management collaboration. He hopes to continue this partnership in the second phase of Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100 and beyond.
The experts also underlined that people cannot fight with the river, but can manage the rivers. Here, integrating local knowledge and community people in formulating water management plans is crucial.
Professor Chris Zevenbergen of the Water Engineering Department of IHE Delft said that Bangladesh is a very dynamic delta; it needs dynamic plans as well. However, most of the bigger projects on water management in Bangladesh are not working well. “We need to rethink new solutions from time to time. There are many water experts in Bangladesh who can contribute to making sustainable water management plans.”
Bd-Pratidin English/ Afsar Munna
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