Flooding in a Poor Part of the World - Bangladesh Flashcards Preview

GSHS Geog Physical Case Studies > Flooding in a Poor Part of the World - Bangladesh > Flashcards

Flashcards in Flooding in a Poor Part of the World - Bangladesh Deck (7)
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1
Q

What is our case study for flooding in an LEDC?

A

Bangladesh

2
Q

When was the Bangladesh flood?

A

July 2004

3
Q

Name the main rivers that flow through Bangladesh

A

The Ganges and the Brahmaputra

4
Q

Name a physical cause of the Bangladesh flood

A
  • Heavy monsoon rains from May to September.
  • 80% of Bangladesh is a floodplain and delta.
  • It is flat, low-lying and easily flooded. 75% is only 10 metres above sea level.
  • Most of it is a delta built up from the silt of three rivers.
  • All three rivers have their peak flow at the same time.
  • Rivers are blocked or their channels are shallow because of deposited silt.
5
Q

Name a human cause of the Bangladesh flood

A
  • Deforestation in Nepal and the Himalayas increases surface run off and adds to deposition and flooding downstream.
  • Urbanisation of the flood plain due to population increase has increased magnitude & frequency of floods.
  • The building of dams in India has increased the problem of sedimentation in Bangladesh.
  • Global warming is blamed for sea level rise, increased snow melt & increased rainfall in the region.
  • Poorly maintained embankments (levees) leak & collapse in times of high discharge.
6
Q

Name three effects of the Bangladesh flood

A
  • Over 60% of the land area was flooded
  • 40% Dhaka was under water
  • 1,040 people were killed
  • 7 million homes were destroyed
  • 23.5 million people were made homeless
  • There was a serious shortage of drinking water & dry food
  • Diseases spread such as bronchitis and cholera/diarrhoea, 100,000 people in Dhaka suffered from diarrhoea.
  • As the waters receded - it left fields of rotting crops, wrecked roads and bridges and destroyed villages
  • 2 million tonnes of rice was destroyed
  • 1/2 million cattle and poultry were lost
  • Overall the floods cost the country almost $1 billion
  • Airport flooded, as well as roads and rail.
7
Q

Name three response to the Bangladesh flood

A
  • Water purification tablets were given out by the World Health Organisation
  • Medicines, clothing and blankets were distributed
  • Food aid was given
  • Local people began to rebuild their homes
  • Flood protection shelters were built
  • Upstream dams were built to hold back the water when there is too much.
  • Flood embankments were built along the river
  • Deforestation was reduced in the upper course
  • Farmers were given free seeds from the government