UNB, Dhaka :
Water Resources Minister Barrister Anisul Islam Mahmud on Thursday said redesigning the embankments can protect the country’s coastal lands, which are feared to go under seawater in the future due to sea-level rise caused by global warming.
“Scientists predict that 30 percent of the country’s lands will go under seawater if the sea-level rises by one metre. But I don’t believe that our coastal land could be protected through redesigning our embankments,” he told a workshop in the capital in the morning.
“Bangladesh is, of course, a vulnerable country to climate change,” the minister said adding that the Netherlands is located below the sea level and if the country can protect its land building polders why Bangladesh cannot do so.
Institute of Water Modelling (IWM) in association with UNESCO IHE, the Netherlands, arranged the workshop on Bangla-Dutch Research Initiative on Flood Risk Management and Morphological Assessment at Spectra Convention Centre.
Chaired by IWM executive director Prof Dr Monowar Hossain, the workshop was addressed, among others, by State Minister for Water Resources Nazrul Islam Bir Protik, Water resources secretary Dr Zafar Ahmed Khan, Dutch Ambassador in Dhaka Gerben de Jong and IWM deputy executive director Dr AFM Afzal Hossain.
Speaking as the chief guest, Anisul Islam Mahmud said water management is a thing which is not isolated, so integrated basin management is needed to manage water problems in Bangladesh.
About the trans-boundary rivers, he said about 93 percent catchments of three mighty rivers – Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna (GBM) is located outside the country while only 7 percent catchments inside Bangladesh, but water of the three rivers flow through the 7 percent catchments. “This is the magnitude of problem.”
The Water Resources Minister said water of three rivers falls at the Bay of Bengal carrying a huge amount of silt every year, which accelerates erosion in the rivers of Bangladesh. “Over one billion tonnes of silt is coming through the GBM river system each year. This is a big problem.”
About the consequences of flooding, Anisul Islam said flood is acceptable in every five years as it help regenerate fertility of soil. “People’s attitude about flood is now changing. Land within embankment will be protected, but outside the embankment will be flooding.”
Professor of UNESCO-IHE Dr Dano Roelvink and Dr Biswa Bhattacharya of Bangladesh delivered separate power-point presentation at the workshop.
Dr Bhattacharya presented the flood management issues of the Haor region of Bangladesh and pointed out the importance of computer based modelling using the latest techniques.
He also mentioned about the recent developments in the field, particularly in using data gathered through satellite-borne instruments.
The workshop was attended by high officials and experts from ministries, donor agencies, and representatives from relevant government organisations.
Water Resources Minister Barrister Anisul Islam Mahmud on Thursday said redesigning the embankments can protect the country’s coastal lands, which are feared to go under seawater in the future due to sea-level rise caused by global warming.
“Scientists predict that 30 percent of the country’s lands will go under seawater if the sea-level rises by one metre. But I don’t believe that our coastal land could be protected through redesigning our embankments,” he told a workshop in the capital in the morning.
“Bangladesh is, of course, a vulnerable country to climate change,” the minister said adding that the Netherlands is located below the sea level and if the country can protect its land building polders why Bangladesh cannot do so.
Institute of Water Modelling (IWM) in association with UNESCO IHE, the Netherlands, arranged the workshop on Bangla-Dutch Research Initiative on Flood Risk Management and Morphological Assessment at Spectra Convention Centre.
Chaired by IWM executive director Prof Dr Monowar Hossain, the workshop was addressed, among others, by State Minister for Water Resources Nazrul Islam Bir Protik, Water resources secretary Dr Zafar Ahmed Khan, Dutch Ambassador in Dhaka Gerben de Jong and IWM deputy executive director Dr AFM Afzal Hossain.
Speaking as the chief guest, Anisul Islam Mahmud said water management is a thing which is not isolated, so integrated basin management is needed to manage water problems in Bangladesh.
About the trans-boundary rivers, he said about 93 percent catchments of three mighty rivers – Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna (GBM) is located outside the country while only 7 percent catchments inside Bangladesh, but water of the three rivers flow through the 7 percent catchments. “This is the magnitude of problem.”
The Water Resources Minister said water of three rivers falls at the Bay of Bengal carrying a huge amount of silt every year, which accelerates erosion in the rivers of Bangladesh. “Over one billion tonnes of silt is coming through the GBM river system each year. This is a big problem.”
About the consequences of flooding, Anisul Islam said flood is acceptable in every five years as it help regenerate fertility of soil. “People’s attitude about flood is now changing. Land within embankment will be protected, but outside the embankment will be flooding.”
Professor of UNESCO-IHE Dr Dano Roelvink and Dr Biswa Bhattacharya of Bangladesh delivered separate power-point presentation at the workshop.
Dr Bhattacharya presented the flood management issues of the Haor region of Bangladesh and pointed out the importance of computer based modelling using the latest techniques.
He also mentioned about the recent developments in the field, particularly in using data gathered through satellite-borne instruments.
The workshop was attended by high officials and experts from ministries, donor agencies, and representatives from relevant government organisations.
