Bandarban flood needs urgent response

We are extremely concerned with the situation in Bandarban hill district. Following six days of heavy rains and mountain runoff from upstream, the two roads connecting Bandarban to Chattogram and Rangamati have been completely flooded. As a result, the district has been totally cut off from the rest of the country. And due to its only power substation also getting flooded, people there have been without power since Sunday. On top of that, the mobile network in the district has gone down in most places, effectively cutting off all communications.

Rescuers are literally having to go from place to place in search of people stranded by the flood. It is unclear how many people are stuck and in danger. As of writing this editorial, 90 percent of Bandarban city is said to be under water. In most places, the water has not receded for days, while chances of further rain mean that the suffering of residents will continue unabated. One doesn't need a reminder of what catastrophe may unfold in the remote reaches of this border district in the prolonged absence of basic facilities like electricity, food, shelter or any security guarantee. Therefore, the government must launch an all-out effort to rescue and rehabilitate those in danger. All necessary resources and administrative personnel need to be deployed immediately to that end, and to prevent any loss of lives and mitigate the damage.

On the other hand, it needs to be understood why the district, which did not go under water during heavier rainfalls 15 or so years ago, has been so heavily affected this time around. And the main reason for that has been the environmental damage that has been done in the district. The continuous cutting of hills and removal of stones to pave the way for development have caused the soil to soften and break down. The removal of trees is another massive factor. These have created a situation where flooding has become inevitable. Meanwhile, the lack of dredging and elevation of riverbanks allow river water to easily overflow. And since influential quarters have occupied different canals that are part of the district's drainage system, the overflown water cannot easily escape.

All of these did not happen overnight. The authorities have, for years, overlooked these facts, which makes them culpable for what is presently happening. Therefore, after tackling this emergency, the authorities need to make substantial changes in Bandarban so that such a disastrous situation does not occur again.