Floods worsen

The victims are trying to take shelter on embankments, many of which unfortunately have developed breaches. The damage caused to the crops has already been substantial, which means the national economy will come under further pressure. People have been displaced and pauperised. And the situation becomes acute with river erosion -- a concomitant ill of flooding. The rivers Jamuna and Bangali are already eroding their banks on an alarming scale. An under-construction flood protection embankment is seriously threatened by the Padma.

The overall picture in one-fourth of the country looks grim. People have to cope with problems like non-availability of fresh water in the affected areas. They must act urgently as tubewells have gone under water in the affected areas. The situation will turn worse when the floodwater starts receding. Outbreak of waterborne diseases has already been reported from some areas. The medical supply lines have to be in place on an urgent footing. Finally, the communications channels cut off by floodwater will have to be restored through some contingency measures so that the people in utter distress can be reached quickly.

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Though there is no way to stop flooding, it is certainly possible to minimise the sufferings of people with timely and effective relief operations. And the losses can also be kept at a minimum if a well-conceived rehabilitation plan is implemented. The farmers must get the agricultural inputs as soon as the water recedes. The authorities must attach due importance to this aspect of the plan.