Bangladesh encountered a significant dual challenge in August. A historic uprising led to the removal of a long-standing prime minister, and just as the new interim government assumed control, devastating floods struck the nation, leaving millions in despair. These events are not just of national importance — they offer lessons that resonate globally.
The floods in August were unparalleled in their magnitude and impact. They were the outcome of a complex interaction of various climatic factors, such as intensified monsoon rains, the Madden-Julian Oscillation, and an unusual jet stream pattern, resulting in record-breaking levels of rainfall across South Asia. For example, the city of Feni received 312 mm of rain in a single day.
Unlike previous major floods caused by the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna rivers, this year’s flood was driven by smaller rivers in the southeast and northeast regions, exhibiting immense force. The floods began early and escalated rapidly, catching many off guard.
Tropical Storm Remal impacted southern Bangladesh and eastern India in late May, triggering widespread floods. Subsequently, in mid-June, relentless rains submerged large areas, leading to severe flooding in Sylhet, Feni, and Cumilla.
On August 17 and 18, a monsoon low-pressure system formed over the Bay of Bengal and nearby coastal areas. This system lingered there for two days, causing substantial rainfall along the coast and hilly regions of southeastern Bangladesh, resulting in rising river levels.
By August 19, this low-pressure system intensified into a depression. Initially predicted to head towards Bihar through West Bengal, India, it unexpectedly moved towards Bangladesh and stayed over the central part of the country until August 20.
The situation exacerbated as Feni experienced an unprecedented 312mm of rain within a day on August 21. Additionally, a considerable amount of rain fell over river basins spanning India and Bangladesh, causing multiple rivers to exceed danger levels due to two to three times the usual rainfall, overwhelming the river systems and leading to extensive inundation.
While extreme rainfall was the primary driver of these floods, there are speculations that the excessive release of water from dams and barrages in India may have contributed to the situation. Furthermore, the low-pressure system caused a higher-than-usual tidal surge, exacerbated by a full moon on August 19, obstructing natural river water drainage and causing severe flooding.
A significant amount of this information was available in the Flood Forecasting and Warning Center maintained by the Bangladesh Water Development Board. However, due to the chaos following the change in government earlier in August, this information might not have been effectively communicated to local agencies.
During a disaster, emotions often cloud rational thinking. In Bangladesh, public anger quickly shifted towards India, with allegations of worsening flooding due to upstream dam releases. While these claims were challenging to validate, the underlying message was clear — lack of trust between neighboring countries can exacerbate the impact of natural disasters.
This underlying mistrust is not new, dating back to Bangladesh’s independence in 1971 and rooted in perceived economic and political dominance by New Delhi. The floods in August brought these issues to the surface, emphasizing long-standing grievances over water sharing, trade imbalances, and employment dynamics.
Beneath the blame game lies a critical truth: addressing global challenges like climate change and natural disasters necessitates cooperation. This is where the concept of engineering diplomacy — blending technical expertise with diplomatic efforts — becomes essential.
Engineering diplomacy goes beyond infrastructure development to build trust and encourage collaboration. It is a principled, pragmatic approach that combines engineering problem-solving with diplomatic negotiations.
The floods in Bangladesh in 2024 offer valuable lessons for the global community. They underscore the urgent need for robust collaborative mechanisms to combat the increasingly severe impacts of climate change. International cooperation rooted in mutual trust and shared responsibility is crucial.
Furthermore, the floods emphasize the importance of integrating local knowledge and grassroots initiatives into disaster management strategies.
Finally, the experience in Bangladesh highlights the necessity for a new narrative in global diplomacy — one that transcends blame and focuses on joint problem-solving. Engineering diplomacy provides a framework for navigating complex issues and turning potential conflicts into opportunities for cooperation.
As the world grapples with escalating climate threats, the lessons from the 2024 floods in Bangladesh are clear. A new approach is imperative, blending technical expertise and diplomatic finesse to create a more resilient, collaborative global community. Engineering diplomacy offers a path forward not only for managing disasters but also for shaping a future where nations collaborate on shared challenges.
This content was originally published under Creative Commons by 360info™.