Huge areas of Sylhet and Sunamganj have been inundated by a sudden flood. Many individuals are saying that reported quantities of rain in Meghalaya, India have triggered this flood. What different causes are there do you suppose?
By analyzing the info supplied by the India Meteorological Division (IMD), we see that the quantity of rainfall in Cherrapunji, Meghalaya yesterday (Friday) was the third-highest in recorded historical past. Beforehand, on 16 June 1995, the highest 1,563.3 millimeters of rainfall was recorded there. Earlier than that, on 5 June, 1956, 973.8 mm of rain occurred there. The downpour on Friday in that area was 972 mm. Simply days earlier than that, on 15 June, 811.6 mm of rainfall was recorded there, which is the eighth highest in the recorded historical past. Within the Mawsynram space, which is adjoining to Cherrapunji, 1,003.5 mm of rain was recorded on Friday. If we have a look at the three-day mixed report, we see on 14-16 June, 1995 2,798 mm of rain was recorded. On 12-14 September 1997, some 2,760 mm of rainfall occurred within the area. On 15-17 June this yr, 2,457.2 mm of rainfall occurred in Cherrapunji. That is the third-highest when it comes to three-day mixed rainfall. Whether or not it’s the primary or third highest, it’s nonetheless a report quantity of rainfall.
If we glance final week’s report in Cherrapunji, we see that on 12 June 354 mm, 14 June 62.6 mm, 15 June 811.6 mm, 16 June 674 mm and 17 June 972 mm of rainfall was recorded. Right now (Saturday), it rained one other 120 mm. From 12 June until right this moment, 3,300 mm rain has been recorded. The place will a lot water go? If there’s a three-day break after 200 mm of rainfall, the water will go down. As per my calculations, this is likely one of the largest rainfalls in historical past. As per your query, I can say that the rainfall in Cherrapunji in latest days was near the best ever in recorded historical past. This rainfall is likely one of the principal causes behind the flood in Sylhet. Together with that, it has additionally rained incessantly in Sunamganj and Sylhet within the final two days.
Why is it raining a lot?
International local weather change is a giant cause behind it. Greenhouse gasoline is rising and the worldwide temperature can also be on the rise. Extra water vapour is being created. Then again, the Pacific Ocean is in ‘La Nina’ state, which causes incessant rain. The ‘La Nina’ state has been there for the final two years. This area is way from the Pacific Ocean. However, there’s a teleconnection between this particular state of the Pacific Ocean and occurrences occurring in numerous areas of the world. Furthermore, ‘El Nino’ causes droughts within the Indo-Pacific area. However another excuse for this flood is the change in the way in which we use the land. New institutions are being constructed, deforestation is going on. These items are additionally enjoying an element in it. The quantity of sediment can also be rising, which does not go away simply. There are a lot of different causes behind floods. Earlier, the flood water would come down simply, however, now that’s not occurring. The floods are persevering with for longer intervals.
Sylhet area has confronted floods a number of instances lately. What’s the rationale behind repeated floods? Is setting up infrastructure in Haor area a cause behind it?
Flood is recurrent in Bangladesh on account of its geographical traits. Clearly, heavy rain additionally causes floods. Sylhet has been hit by flood twice this yr and each are extreme. Such an extreme flood is uncommon within the month of Might. Nevertheless, it simply occurred this time. One of many principal causes for the flood this time is the rains as a result of cyclone Asani. The cyclone moved by way of the Odisha area of India. The circulation of the cyclone created extreme humidity over the Meghalaya area. There was heavy rain as an impression of this, which triggered the flood in Sylhet in Might. And now the monsoon has grow to be lively. Rains within the hills are widespread at the moment. Water vapour will get obstructed by the hills and goes upward and will get condensed. And later the vapour turns into raindrops.
The water in Meghalaya involves the haor areas. Haors are like bowls the place water accumulates. Later, it falls into the Bay of Bengal through the Meghna river.
The infrastructures being constructed within the haor areas should not inflicting this flood. Nevertheless, it can stretch the length of the flood. The infrastructure needs to be submersible. Some roads have been constructed within the haor areas, particularly the street in Mithamoin has drawn quite a lot of consideration. However, this isn’t the one cause behind the flood this time. The federal government now could be speaking about setting up flyovers, which is a premature choice I imagine. It might have been higher if it was completed earlier than. Nevertheless, in case of communication between two Upazilas within the haor area, there isn’t a different method than the development of roads on many events. Nevertheless, the infrastructure needs to be constructed as per the wants of the realm. In some locations, infrastructures needs to be submersible and whereas somewhere else flyovers can be extra applicable.
In the beginning of the month, the Met Workplace predicted a flood by the center of month. Did we’ve got sufficient preparation to deal with such sorts of floods?
I’d say the preparation was not full. Most likely, we couldn’t even think about such a extreme flood. The meals storages have been broken by the flood this time. Due to this fact, it’s clear that these infrastructures should not flood-resistant.
Then again, though it was forecasted, we in all probability didn’t even consider such a heavy rain. We now have some repute in catastrophe administration. Nevertheless, our catastrophe administration system is more practical in saving lives than saving properties.
For the flood forecast, we could lengthen our collaboration with worldwide companies, particularly with companies in India. This should be completed as the 2 international locations are in the identical basin. There are questions as to how a lot of that is completed.
