Water-logging hazards in southwest districts

Water-logging is a curse for the people of south-west part of Bangladesh. Tala, Satkhira Sadar and some parts of Jessore are severely affected since cyclones Sidr and Aila.
Other than these natural events, a few man-made factors are most pronounced in areas where lands are divided by raised earthen embankments. These embankments often result in increased river sedimentation - silt and dirt build up in riverbeds instead of being deposited on flat land during floods. As a result, water spills over the edge during high tide or heavy rain; trapped water cannot recede, leading to water-logging.
The local NGO Shushilan reports that 21,000 families were adversely affected by water-logging in Satkhira district alone this year. It affects the livelihood of the poor people who become unemployed. Men are mostly sitting idle, getting frustrated and often involving themselves with varied anti-social and criminal offences. Access to food, shelter, safe water, sanitation and medical facilities of the people are affected. The situation compels many to opt for forced migration.
All people are victims of water-logging, but the most vulnerable segment of population is women and children.  Women are facing socio-economic and physiological problems and suffer from various reproductive tract infection and skin diseases. Income generations by women are also hampered since rearing cattle, goats, and poultry are in a mess due to lack of grassy patches; and poultry die due to excessive salinity in water.
The most serious blow is interruption of children's education in the water-logged areas. It inundates schools for months and school authorities are forced to close schools for months. UNICEF reports that a quarter of schools in Tala has been severely affected including the increased dropout rates and decreasing the chances of children completing the full primary school cycle in the water-logged areas.
Considering the severity of the problems caused by water-logging, there should be an integrated and comprehensive effort to get rid of this hazard. Short-, medium- and long-term inclusive planning is urgently needed from the government, NGOs, and donor organisations to create alternative livelihood opportunities for the affected population. Despite all controversies, shrimp cultivation and shrimp labour are the most visible livelihood and income-generating options of the people of the affected areas. To reduce the dropout rate and continuation of schooling for vulnerable students, locally adoptive approaches like rooftop schooling, home visit by teachers, and holding classes at a raised plinth could be a few adaptation measures.
For a durable and sustainable solution of water-logging problem, comprehensive effort should be made to manage the rivers rather than trying to control them. Scientists and researchers consider Tidal River Management (TRM) to be one of the long-term solutions for this particular problem. TRM can reopen river flows by cutting through embankments at some strategic locations and can remove other impediments to ensure the natural flow of water. They also consider TRM environment friendly and it can make land cultivable again in 1-2 years time. All approaches should involve the local community since they have the indigenous ideas and practices which can make the initiative sustainable.
The writer is a development                          communication professional.                      [email protected]