 Water Resources Secretary Nazmul Ahsan said that 71 percent of the river basin of Bangladesh, the world’s largest delta, is flooded land. By using modern technology, it is possible to provide safety of life and property if the floods caused by the rise of water in various rivers during the monsoon season can be predicted. And that is why better flood forecasting and warning system has been launched in digital way to speed up the disaster management of the country. He said this at a workshop on Capacity Development of Enhanced Flood Forecasting and Warning Services, a DANIDA-funded research project in Bangladesh in collaboration with the Bangladesh Water Development Board, at the BRAC Center in the capital, Institute of Water Modeling, today. The secretary said, under the digital program, Bangladesh Water Development Board (BAPAUBO) processes the 5-day advance flood forecast data with the help of improved flood maps and it is possible to give various types of forecasts and warnings through Internet technology on an immediate basis at the local community level three days to three hours before the flood starts. being Anders Carlsen, Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of Denmark in Bangladesh was present as guest of honor on the occasion and Nurul Islam Sarkar, Director General of Bangladesh Water Development Board and Muhammad Amirul Haque Bhuiyan, Additional Director General (Planning) were present as special guests. Digital led by Ministry of Water Resources Bangladesh Water Development Board (BAPAUBO), A2I, International Technology Organization Google, Bangladesh Red Crescent Society and International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies are helping to launch the system. Note that the Flood Forecasting and Warning Center was established in 1972 under the Bangladesh Water Development Board. It is under the Ministry of Water Resources. This center has 56 water level monitoring stations across Bangladesh. The workshop provided a platform to discuss the current state of flood forecasting and warning services, identify challenges and opportunities and explore ways to improve the capabilities of the services. The workshop created scope for development of ‘Dhaka City Flood Forecasting Model’ and ‘International Flood Flow Forecasting Model’. Bangladesh Water Development Board’s existing flood forecasting system provides flood forecast and warning at several stations around Dhaka city. Through flood forecasting models, city drainage management authorities can take. This urban flood forecasting system will reduce the suffering of city people, save damage to private and public assets, reduce maintenance cost of service systems. The workshop informed that an important need for a comprehensive flood forecasting system for Dhaka city is going to be met. The workshop was attended by various public and private organizations, embassies and donor agencies, water and coastal experts and decision makers. The workshop ended with a vote of thanks by IWM Deputy Executive Director Mr. SM Mahbubur Rahman.
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