(R) Consequences of flooding in a LIC

Question 1

Physical causes of the flooding?

Answer 1

• 70% of Bangladesh is less than 1m above sea level
• monsoon climate, seasonal floods
• global warming increases snow melt from the Himalayas
• silting of rivers reduces carrying capacity

Question 2

Social effects of the flooding?

Answer 2

• 30 million homeless
• 100,000 people in Dhaka suffering from diarrhoea
• death toll 750 in September
• jobs, farmland lost

Question 3

When/where did the floods happen?

Answer 3

Bangladesh

July-September 2004

Question 4

Human causes of the flooding?

Answer 4

• deforestation in Nepal increases surface run off
• 80% of Bangladesh is built on a floodplain
• built on the delta of the river Ganges

Question 5

Economic effects of the flooding?

Answer 5

• damage to hospitals and schools worth $7 billion
• appeal for $74 million, 20% reached
• damaged transport stopped aid reaching areas
• rice and food washed away

Question 6

Environmental effects of the flooding?

Answer 6

• 60% of the country submerged in July
• disease spread
• no food/contaminated water
• rivers full of mud (made it worse)

Question 7

Short term responses to the flooding?

Answer 7

• food supplies, medicine, clothes, blankets distributed
• communties began to rebuild homes
• appeal launched for $74 million
• posters highlighting hygiene risks in flood water

Question 8

Long term responses to flooding?

Answer 8

• embankments built along the river (unsuccessful)
• flood warnings
• flood shelters:

areas of raised land, people can move with cattle

access to items such as dried food, clean water