Editorial
Second phase of flooding
Go all out to meet the challenge
We are into the second round of flooding. This is happening barely within a fortnight of reprieve from the first bout we had endured in July-August period. Predictions are grim. Floods beginning in September are usually longer lasting. If it rains in the next few days as heavily as it did in preceding two days, we then have the beginning of a flood of greater intensity.
The effects of the first flood have been devastating. Now with the onset of the second we are catapulted on to a rescue and relief mission on a very short notice. Already, thousands have been rendered destitute, huge acreage of cropland inundated, communications disrupted and river embankments washed away. Even the rehabilitation activities we have just carried out after the first flood, especially the transplanted Aman and compensatory vegetable cultivation are most likely to go waste. What lies in store can be easily imagined.
It is a huge task we are confronted with. We have to basically make use of the lessons learned from the pitfalls committed in tackling the July floods. During that flooding reaction time taken by the disaster management authorities was too long, priorities were not gotten right from the beginning and there was lack of coordination between the government agencies. A good deal of time was lost in associating political parties, NGO communities and private civic and voluntary groups with the relief operations. There has been a fusion of activities lately on the part of both public and private sectors. This must be built up on by way of mobilising all national resources to meet the flood challenges collectively.
While rescue and evacuation efforts are made on a priority basis to move the thousands of marooned to safer places, sufficient stocks of food, IV saline and ORS, water purification tablets and bottled water must be kept handy. Mobile medical units need to dash out to different places. Let's not forget, timely distribution of succour to the needy is of pivotal importance.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments