Expeditious mobilisation of relief for the flood-hit imperative

Millions across many districts have been severely affected by the devastating floods. The response to help those in need this time around has a different dimension. First, there is overwhelming anger and general perception that a neighbouring country intentionally opened the gates of its dam in the upstream without giving proper advance warning to Bangladesh. Second, water level was allowed to build up to a maximum level when the sluice gates were opened. In consequence, it allowed for a massive body of water to travel downstream and create havoc in Bangladesh. With little or no warning, the devastation caused in Bangladesh has swept away the livelihoods of millions of people and there is much public anger at this unfriendly behaviour by a neighbouring country.

Regardless of what excuse policymakers in that country makes, the end result of this flood, the first of this magnitude in nearly four decades, will leave a bitter taste in the collective memory of this country. What is heartening to see is that while government machinery and response was still taking stock of the situation, general people have responded overwhelmingly to mobilize own resources and head out to affected districts. Media reports over the last few days have shown that thousands of privately requisitioned trucks and other modes of transports loaded with speed boats, food and medical supplies and operated by ordinary citizens heading towards those districts that are inundated.

Nearly 4.40 million people are marooned in various districts. Roads have been washed away, as have livestock, homes and infrastructure. The scenes of young and old wading through endless waist-deep water in the hope of reaching higher ground has struck a chord in people's minds. And this year, it is not just the government and military who are moving, people, too, are. That there is a need to respond as a nation to help people in distress is something new. Students who have shown the rest of the country that it is possible to change can be seen raising funds and helping organise not merely collection of funds but getting things done. It gives hope to people in dire straits that other people from different parts of the country are responding in various ways to reach essential supplies like dry food, medicine etc. to them. This brings us to the State's responsibility and it is good to see that apart from fund raising (both domestic and foreign), the civilian and military arms work together towards a common goal. Going by official information, at least 900,000 people remain stranded as of Friday due to flash floods and indirect impact on people has crossed 4.5 million across 11 districts. The army has also donated one day's salary of all its members to the government coffers and are using its logistics to help victims of flash floods in the districts of Feni, Chattogram, Cumilla, Noakhali, Sunamganj and Habiganj districts.

Lastly, protocol dictates that India notifies Bangladesh before opening the gates of Dumboor Hydroelectric Plant in Tripura and this was not followed. Whether this was a deliberate act or a mistake does not absolve neighbour of this massive failure and the anger in Bangladesh cannot be understated. The advisor concerned for environment has stated that the government has already taken this matter up with that country's highest diplomat. But one thing is certain, it would be a terrible mistake to try strong-arm tactics with Bangladesh as that would demonstrate that neighbour is trying to destabilise the government here and undermine people's welfare. There has to be a working relationship in the region and open hostility serves no one and does not advance peace.