Water and climate experts have called for resilient urban planning, restoration of natural waterways and strengthened water management systems to reduce the impacts of floods and waterlogging in Bangladesh. The experts noted that Bangladesh has the experience and capacity to better cope with seasonal monsoon challenges through science-based planning and preparedness.
Experts' Recommendations
Professor Ainun Nishat and Professor A.K.M. Saiful Islam, both eminent water resources and climate change experts, highlighted the need for improved planning, efficient drainage infrastructure, and stronger community preparedness to enhance the country's resilience. Professor Nishat pointed out that heavy rainfall during the Bengali month of Ashar is a normal feature of Bangladesh's monsoon climate and is vital for agriculture and water resources.
The challenge, according to Professor Nishat, lies not in the rainfall itself but in ensuring that rainwater can flow naturally through canals, wetlands, and drainage systems. He noted that many natural drainage channels have disappeared due to unplanned urbanization, while roads, embankments, and other infrastructure have often been built without adequate water outlets.
Restoration and Modern Solutions
Restoring canals, protecting wetlands, and incorporating proper drainage facilities into future infrastructure projects would significantly reduce flooding and prolonged waterlogging, Professor Nishat said. He observed that Bangladesh's traditional geography and farming systems were once well adapted to seasonal flooding, with ponds, wetlands, and indigenous rice varieties helping retain and gradually release rainwater.
Preserving these natural features alongside modern engineering solutions would strengthen the country's climate resilience. Professor Nishat also stressed the importance of analyzing rainfall over long historical periods, noting that Bangladesh has experienced similar heavy monsoon rainfall in the past. Looking ahead, he warned that climate change is likely to increase the variability of rainfall patterns, making long-term water management, improved urban planning, and restoration of natural waterways increasingly important.
Disaster Management and Urban Planning
On disaster management, Professor Nishat said Bangladesh should continue strengthening community resilience through improved infrastructure, preparedness, and adaptive planning alongside emergency relief efforts. "We should prepare people to cope with disasters instead of depending primarily on relief distribution," he said.
Professor A.K.M. Saiful Islam explained that Bangladesh experiences different forms of flooding—including river floods, flash floods, and urban flooding—each requiring tailored management strategies. He noted that the current spell of heavy rainfall resulted from a monsoon depression that carried large volumes of moisture from the Bay of Bengal into the country's eastern region, where hilly terrain further intensified rainfall through orographic effects.
Government Response and Future Steps
Both experts agreed that Bangladesh's long experience in disaster management, combined with science-based planning, improved infrastructure, and active public participation, provides a strong foundation for building greater resilience against future floods and waterlogging. Their observations come as the government continues coordinated rescue, relief, and rehabilitation operations in flood-affected areas under the Prime Minister's directives, while relevant agencies remain engaged in preparedness and response efforts to protect lives and property.
State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief M Iqbal Hossain visited flood-hit areas in the Chattogram Hill Tracts and said the government would continue extending full support to victims of floods and landslides for as long as necessary. He said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is closely monitoring the overall disaster situation and has directed the authorities to continue providing food assistance and relief materials to affected people. The government has allocated Tk 4.60 crore in cash and 8,950 metric tonnes of rice for humanitarian assistance across all 64 districts since July 7 to support people affected by floods and other natural disasters.
