When water submerge any flat area, we call it flood. Almost every year flood visits our country and damages property of crores. During the summer and the rainy seasons, the water of the rivers often raises so high that it over flow the banks and the earth goes under water. Flood is mainly caused by heavy showers of rain during the rainy season. Rivers and canals cannot hold the water of rains and the water overflows the banks which causes flood. A river may overflow its banks if its bed is silted or its course is too zigzag to allow free flow of water. In hilly regions floods may occur as a result of heavy down flow of water on account of melting of snow on mountains. Besides, catastrophic flood may be caused by cyclones and tidal bores in the seas.
Flood is a regular terror to our country which caused a great havoc. It causes havoc to lives and properties. The granaries of the house holders are destroyed. Cattle and even human beings are killed, houses are destroyed. People have to stay under the open sky. All communication with the outside world is cut off. They cannot meet the bare necessities for existence. Hence, the sufferings of the people know no bounds. In addision to this misery, it leaves behind wide spread damages of crops and epidemic diseases.
There is scarcity not only of food but also of pure drinking water and medicine. Wide-spread damage of crops results in famine. A large number of men and animals die of starvation as well as diseases. To add to the sufferings the prices of all daily necessities increase by leaps and bounds. In fact, the after effects of flood are more terrible. Among the recent floods, the floods of 1984 and 1987 caused a huge loss to life and property. But the flood of 1988 has broken the previous records of losses. About ninety percent areas of our country were under water for several days and it caused a great harm. The flood of 1998 is also an example of most terrible flood in recent years.
Floods in an agricultural country like ours have often been looked upon as a blessing. Floods greatly increases the fertility of soil. Besides, it also washes away the garbage that accumulates on the surface of the earth.
During flood, people come forward to help the sufferers. They are given shelter in the houses of those people who are not affected by flood. General peopl, different organizations and the government feed them. Loans are granted to enable them to establish their life again. May other countries in the world also extend their helping hands for survival of the distressed people.
A definite step should be adopted to prevent flood permanently. Proper dams and embankments should be constructed so that the water of the rivers cannot rise above the danger level.
Due to her geographical position, Bangladesh is very much prone to floods. Unless this catastrophe is checked, our development is impossible. Therefore, we should find out a permanent solution to control floods to ensure our development.