River - Case Study Flashcards
1
Q
What is the river case study?
A
Ganges River and Delta, India and Bangladesh
2
Q
What are some opportunities presented by the river Ganges and its delta?
A
- Fertile land
- Two crop seasons a year
- Sand and gravel for construction
- Habitat for many species
- Protection against hurricanes
- Tourism
3
Q
In which year did major flooding in Bangladesh happen?
A
1998
4
Q
What were the causes of flooding in Bangladesh?
A
- Low-lying with many flood plains below sea-level
- Monsoon climate (80% of rainfall in 4 months)
- Rain coincides with high temperatures so snow melts
- Global warming
- Tropical storms stop water flowing into the sea
- Deposited silt raises river bed height
- Deforestation
- Building on flood plains increased effects
5
Q
What were the effects of flooding in Bangladesh?
A
- 70% of country underwater at times
- Most of the crops were destroyed
- Infrastructure damaged (bridges, railways, roads)
- Lack of water and electricity
- Diseases - cholera, dysentery, diarrhoea
- Dhaka partially underwater
- Dhaka airport flooded
- 1000 deaths
- 7 million homes destroyed
- 25 million people homeless
6
Q
What was the response to flooding in Bangladesh?
A
REDUCING RISK • Levees • Dams • Lakes + Reservoirs • Vegetation • Drainage systems REDUCING IMPACTS • Town planning • Education • Warning system
Flood Action Plan
