Geography- case study-WOL- flooding- bangladesh

Question 0

What were the short term responses?

Answer 0

• local people began to rebuild homes
• within Bangladesh food supplies medicines, clothing and blankets were distributed as well as water purification tablets
• United Nations appealed $74 million but only got 20%

Question 1

When did it take place?

Answer 1

2004

Question 2

What were the long term responses?

Answer 2

• flood action plan out in place (flood warnings, provision of food and shelter)
• buildings raised above sea level
• crops that survive in floods are grown (jute crops)

Question 3

Effects of the flooding

Answer 3

• 750 deaths
• 30 million people left homeless
• 100,000 in Dhaka suffered from diarrhoea
• crops devastated
• bridges, major roads and airport destroyed

Question 4

What are the physical causes?

Answer 4

• Monsoon climate (350mm of rain in 24 hours)
• soils are leached (less interception)
• baked soil
• Bangladesh is a low lying country
• snow melted in summer from spring
• three major rivers (Megha, Ganges and Brahmaputra)

Question 5

Human causes of the flooding

Answer 5

• Deforestation (reduced evapotranspiration)
• Ganges had been diverted for irrigation purposes (removed silt)
• silt built up due to increased soil erosion