It is heartening to note that the Ministry of Water Resources has proposed a project worth Tk 1,023 crore to reduce the damage caused by natural disasters in an area of 3,441 hectares in Shyamnagar Upazila of Satkhira. It is envisaged that if this project is implemented, better water management will be ensured in the area.
The coastal embankments in the south-western region of Bangladesh were constructed long ago to lessen damages from cyclonic storms and water surges. Though it acts as protection, poor maintenance often fails to give the expected level of protection against disasters.
Following the two severe cyclones, Sidr and Aila, that hit the coastal zone with devastating effect, the government integrated coastal Embankment Improvement Project, and under it various other schemes were formulated with international funding. But the problem is that the embankments could hardly stand a storm or tidal surge.
Authorities concerned should invest more to
protect and repair the coastal embankments
and increase the budget for climate-risk reduction
Considering the situation, the government should put forth immediate efforts to repair and reconstruct the embankments on an urgent basis, otherwise many areas of the country’s south and south-western region will become uninhabitable.
The government should also make a strategic plan to maintain the embankments throughout the year. Apart from regular repair and maintenance, the government needs to construct new embankments every year.
Meanwhile, we need to formulate research-backed policy, legal and institutional framework to address the problems associated with breach of coastal embankments and climate change.
Taking all into consideration, all stakeholders, including environmentalists and NGOs, should strive to minimise the adverse impacts of climate change. Authorities concerned should invest more to protect and repair the coastal embankments and increase the budget for climate-risk reduction.
