IFAD-financed project to enhance flood warning system in 3 districts

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) and the Department of Disaster Management (DDM) on Monday to strengthen the existing flood forecasting and warning system in three flood-prone districts of the country. 

The MoU was signed under the project titled "Promoting Resilience of Vulnerable through Access to Infrastructure, Improved Skills and Information" (PROVATi3), which is financed by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and is being implemented by LGED, reads a press release. 

The initiative hopes to benefit around 488,370 people by disseminating information about potential flood threats to the inhabitants of 175 unions of 19 upazilas in Kurigram, Gaibandha and Jamalpur districts, it adds. 

The system will focus especially on 69 char unions, which are more vulnerable to floods triggered by heavy rains. 

The warning system is expected to reduce losses caused by floods in the flood-prone, low-lying areas of the north-western part of Bangladesh, where agricultural land is often destroyed by floods during monsoon. 

The floods occurring overnight also damage houses and other properties of the inhabitants of these districts, which are considered one of the poorest areas of the country, reads the press release.

Bangladesh Water Development Board forecasts flood through its Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre. The DDM is authorised to warn about flood throughout the year. 

Besides reviewing the current forecasting system, DDM under the PROVATi3 project will consolidate the flood information dissemination system for better results at community level.  

PROVATi3 works to improve rural infrastructure, enhance poor people's ability to generate income and increase access to flood information at the community level, adds the press statement.