Bangladesh to seek timely forecasts from upstream countries for sudden and severe floods: Rizwana
She said all obstacles to ensuring the natural flow of rivers must be removed
All necessary information would be sought from upstream countries, including China, India, Nepal, and Bhutan, to provide timely forecasts for sudden and severe floods, said Syeda Rizwana Hasan, adviser to the Ministry of Water Resources.
"Discussions and communications with these countries will be strengthened to ensure this. Efforts will also be made to provide timely flood forecasts to the public in simple language," she said while presiding over a review meeting of the activities of departments under the Ministry of Water Resources at the conference room of Pani Bhaban today (31 August).
The adviser mentioned that public hearings would be conducted in Feni and Cumilla areas over recent floods and future actions will be taken based on public feedback.
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All obstacles to ensuring the natural flow of rivers must be removed, she said instructing the relevant authorities to take action against all illegal encroachments, including fish enclosures in the Feni River.
Syeda Rizwana further emphasised the need to prevent crop damage in the Haor regions due to dam breaks.
She instructed that approval from the Department of Environment and the Department of Haor and Wetlands Development must be obtained before constructing any infrastructure in the Haor areas.
Additionally, all pumps under the Ganges-Kobadak Irrigation Project must be activated, and the extraction of groundwater in the project area must be halted.
The meeting was attended by Nazmul Ahsan, Secretary of the Ministry of Water Resources, heads of departments under the ministry, and relevant officials.
The meeting included detailed discussions on the activities of the Joint River Commission, the flood control forecasting system of the Bangladesh Water Development Board, the progress of activities in Haor areas, and the rehabilitation project under the Ganges-Kobadak Irrigation Project.
The adviser stressed the importance of proper implementation of these projects.
