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Monday, June 1, 2009

Editorial

Chief lesson from Cyclone Aila

There is no alternative to building strong embankments

THE most important lesson which can be drawn from Cyclone Aila, which last week hit south-western Bangladesh, is that a comprehensive programme regarding the construction and maintenance of embankments needs to be put in place. It is an issue about which the inhabitants of cyclone-prone areas are acutely aware, for they themselves have been demanding that more than anything else it is strong embankments they need. In effect, what they have been saying is that if they have embankments to protect themselves, they can take care of everything else.

That is certainly a forceful argument. Cyclone Aila has patently demonstrated the afflictions that can result from weak embankments. In this past week, survivors of the disaster have suffered badly from the salinity which has not only stopped their sources of clean drinking water but has also damaged crops, cattle and homesteads. They would have been spared such an ordeal if purposefully built embankments had been there. As it is, following Sidr in November 2007, not much of repair work was done on the embankments and indeed hardly any new ones were built as a precaution against subsequent natural disasters. Besides, the embankments that were there (most of them have been damaged or washed away by Aila) were fragile because the materials used to construct them were not expected to withstand shocks. It is regrettable but true that embankments in Bangladesh have by and large been built of mud. Small wonder then that they will collapse in the face of a strong assault by the forces of nature. Again, in many instances the heights of the embankments did not conform to accepted standards or standards that reflected the realities in Bangladesh.

In light of the collapse of the embankments caused by Cyclone Aila, it becomes important that serious, meaningful steps be taken to repair the damage caused last week, raise the existing height of the embankments and where necessary build new ones. A special task force may be set up to study the present condition of the embankments, to take stock of them as it were, and follow it up by taking measures to construct more lasting embankments to deal with future calamities. As an additional measure towards securing the embankments, an overall, well-thought out plan for a green belt along the coastline ought to be put in place. The bottom line is simple: the future, when it comes to dealing with natural calamities, should not be a repeat of the past.

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Thank you for the editorial, and for the bold and timely recommendation. We spend billions on disaster risk reduction strategy formulation but lost in emotions. Its easy in Bangladesh to be sceptical about the Dutch advices, but the Netherlands and Bangladesh share a similar fate. Both countries are flat and much of their territory is below sea level, which constantly forces them to protect themselves against flooding and tidal surge. In the Netherlands, this has long been seen as an opportunity, not a threat. But we are caught by just the opposite perception over here in Bangladesh. In fact, if seen through hydrological lens, the Netherlands is a country that shouldn't even exist. But skilful engineering has guaranteed the Dutch a successful existence. Polders, dikes and water-retaining or baring structures protect its territory against the sea. This is precisely what we could do in Bangladesh, but unfortunately we're moving forward far too slowly, or moving towards opposite direction.

: Sirajul Islam

Thanks to the daily star for such wonderful editorial stating the weakness of the embankments made by the concerned authorities at costal belt. I had an opportunity to visit some embankments which had been built early days , and probably these were well stand against the tidal surges and on rush fold water the then time and but with the changing of nature , these embankments are not able to withstand against the tidal surges and strong water follows resulted from cyclone and lost viability.

Therefore time has come to think deeply how we could go ahead with building and reconstruction of the embankments at costal belts. Only earth work or piled of earth /muds would at all not work, we need to change our construction strategy that could endure against strong winds and surges and waves, especially with hard materials including iron bars, with strategic construction planning and methods.

But in our country, all public construction are carried out in very shabby ways due to lack of commitment and honesty that must be avoided and strong sense of commitment with participatory approach should be maintained at the local level and reconstruction of these embankments should start soon to save the costal areas from erosion, and gradual depletion of human habitation. We should also take immediate steps of plantations at the costal areas to create natural forest that would also work a shield to save the coastal areas against cyclones .

: nasarullah

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The Daily Star

Editorial

Chief lesson from Cyclone Aila

There is no alternative to building strong embankments

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