Case study 22: Flooding in the Ganges, Bangladesh.

Question 1

What are the causes of flooding in Bangladesh?

Answer 1

Melting snow from Himalayas
70% of Bangladesh is below 1m above sea level.
Monsoon seasons: heavy rainfall.
Global warming: stronger cyclones, like those in the Bay of Bengal, which make their way up the river’s mouth.
Poorly managed embankments.
The Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna converge in Bangladesh.

Question 2

What are the effects of flooding in Bangladesh?

Answer 2

2 million acres of land submerged every year (ruins land)
Transport, electricity, sewage+ water supply damaged.
Water pollution.
2004 flood:
20 million families needed emergency relief.
1/2 million cattle+poultry killed.