Bangladesh- flooding

Question 1

what causes the flooding in Bangladesh

Answer 1

snow melt in the himalayas and monsoon rainfall leads to peak discharge in all three rivers feeding into Bangladesh

Question 2

what are benefits of flooding

Answer 2

+replenish groundwater reserves

+flush pollutants and pathogens away from domestic areas

Question 3

what contributes to the in Bangladesh

Answer 3

• much of the country is a low-lying river delta, only 1-3m above sea level
• incoming storm surges meet out-flowing river discharge from the Gnages and Brahaputra rivers, meaning river flooding and coastal flooding combine
• much of the coastline consists of unconsolidated delta sediment, which is very susceptible to erosion
• deforestation of coastal mangroves forests has removed vegetation that once stabilised coastal swaps and dissipated wave energy during tropical cyclones.
• the triangular shape of the Bay of Bengal concentrates a cyclone storm surge as it moves north, increasing its height when it makes landfall.

Question 4

what are some aims to minimize damage and maximize benefits of flooding in Bangladesh

Answer 4

embankments are fitted with sluices (a sliding gate controlling the flow of water) which reduces river bank erosion
embankments reduce inundation
-embankments may lead to some wetlands drying out which can decrease biodiversity