Each year, as the rainy season begins, millions in Bangladesh's coastal and southern regions brace for floods, tidal surges, and cyclones. Cyclone Shakhti once again exposed how poorly prepared remote and impoverished areas are. In places without electricity, internet, or even radio signals, many residents-especially fishermen at sea-remain unaware of approaching disasters.
When traditional communication fails, community radio can be a vital lifeline. Speaking in local dialects, it provides early warnings, shelter information, and relief updates-especially in flood-prone areas where mainstream media often fails to reach. To maximise its potential, more community radio stations should be established, with stronger broadcasting capacity.
But information is just one part. Local shelters-mosques, schools, or well-built homes-must be kept ready with clean water, solar lights, safety kits, dry food, and proper sanitation, especially for women and children. Quick evacuation saves lives, but it requires calm, clarity, and confidence-achievable only through advance preparation.
During floods, electricity poses serious risks. People must avoid wet wires, and drinking water should be boiled or purified. Children, the elderly, and people with disabilities require special care. Mutual aid-helping one another-is often the most powerful force during such times.
Post-disaster, hygiene becomes critical. Cleaning homes with gloves and masks, and ensuring access to safe food and water, can prevent outbreaks of diseases like typhoid and skin infections.
The tragedy is that Bangladesh still handles disasters reactively. Warnings are issued, but shelters aren't opened in time. Relief isn't pre-stocked. Public awareness remains low. This must change.
Disaster preparedness needs to start at the local level. Union councils, local administrations, volunteers, and media must work together-community radio can be the hub of this network.
Floods are inevitable in Bangladesh, but suffering doesn't have to be. With the combined efforts of media, schools, community leaders, and the public, awareness and preparation can save lives and protect livelihoods. A culture of readiness is not a luxury-it's a necessity.
Fiad Nowshad Yeamin
Student
Department of Media, Communication and Journalism,
Canadian University of Bangladesh
nowshadyeamin415@gmail.com