LEDC Flooding Case Study - South Asia 2007 Flashcards
When did the flooding occur?
July and August 2007
Which countries were affected?
Bangladesh and India
Which rivers flooded?
The Ganges and Brahmaputra
How much rain fell?
900mm in July, causing saturated soil, increasing runoff
How was the discharge of the Brahmaputra river increased?
By melting snow from glaciers in the Himalayas
How many people lost their lives?
2000
How many were left homeless?
25 million
How many schools were totally destroyed?
44
What was the primary impact on industry?
Many factories closed and livestock were killed
How many houses were destroyed in India?
112,000
How many km of roads were destroyed?
10,000km
What effect did the flooding have on rivers?
They were left polluted with rubbish and sewage
What was the secondary effect on education?
Many children lost out, around 4000 schools were affected
What was the effect on health?
around 100,000 people caught water borne diseases such as diarrhoea and dysentery
What was the effect on world basmati rice prices?
They rose by 10% because many flooded fields reduced the yield.
What was the effect on the country’s work force?
Many farmers and factory workers were left unemployed.
What did governments and international charities provide?
Food, water and medical aid. Technical equipment like rescue boats were also sent to people who were stranded.
What effect did blocked transport links have on the evacuation process?
They slowed down any attempts to evacuate, after many people hadn’t been evacuated form the flooded areas in the first place
Why have some homes been rebuilt on stilts?
To protect them from future floods
What did international charities fund?
The rebuilding of homes and agriculture + fishing industries
