Preparedness for floods

Although the major rivers in the Brahmaputra basin were flowing above the danger mark at the beginning of the week, the threat of a major flood has dissipated for the time being. With the shifting of the monsoon trough from the central India to the eastern parts of the Himalayas, heavy rains have been forecast in some parts of India, including Sikkim and Assam and eastern parts of Nepal, later this week. Besides India, Nepal has already experienced floods which claimed as many as 100 lives in the land-locked country where 130 more people are missing. The casualty figure was 28 in its larger neighbour. If the forecast comes true, heavy rains on the foothills of the Himalayas will precipitate onrush of waters down the common rivers. Both Nepal and India being upper riparian countries will most likely be compelled to open up gates of barrages. India reportedly has already complained against Nepal for doing this and causing rivers to flow above the danger point.
So the message is clear: if heavy rains come down in the eastern parts of the Himalayas in the next few days, large-scale inundation in all three countries cannot be ruled out. Some low-lying and char areas in Nilphamari and Lalmonirhat in the north of the country are already marooned and so are a wide swathe in the country's south where sea rise has induced river waters to swell and engulf some coastal areas of Barguna, Pirojpur and Patuakhali. People in all those areas are badly affected by floods. Before more areas get inundated, relief work should be expedited in those areas in an effort to keeping the task well under control. At the same time, the various agencies and instruments need to be kept ready in case the worst happens owing to heavy rains at the Himalayan range. The areas threatened are quite known. So preparedness for floods should be area-specific. It is therefore necessary to keep a tab on the weather pattern and rainfall on account of the shifting of the monsoon trough. The department concerned, let it be hoped, will do it as best as it can. So far, according to experts, there is nothing unusual in the movement of the monsoon trough.
Now everything depends on the level of rainfall at the foothills of the Himalayas. But the country must brace for any possible danger from its impacts on its major rivers and their tributaries. If onrushing waters sweep wide areas, most part of the country will get affected; if not, well and good. There is however no place for complacence because no major floods visited the country during the past few years. Floods usually are known for following a cycle marked by moderate to major inundation. A major one is perhaps already due. So it would be wise to get prepared for one. The authorities must not take any chances because the country's record of meeting challenges from floods has so far been commendable.