Course Title: Bangladesh: Socio-Economic

Perspective [Course No. BAN-201]

Course Teacher : Dr. M. Mizanur Rahman

Bangladesh: Geographical &

Environmental Settings-
Location, Climate,
River systems, and
Floods in Bangladesh

1
2
Aim
In this section we will try to make Bangladesh
familiar on several basic issues from its physical &
environmental settings.

Objectives
To understand the geographical location/settings in Bangladesh
To focus the climate of Bangladesh
To highlight the river systems of Bangladesh
To illustrate the floods in Bangladesh

3
Bangladesh: Geographical Settings
Bangladesh, on the northern coast of the Bay of Bengal,
is surrounded by India, with a small common border
with Myanmar in the southeast.

The country is low-lying riverine land traversed by the

many branches and tributaries of the Ganges and
Brahmaputra rivers.

Tropical monsoons and frequent floods and cyclones

inflict heavy damage in the delta region.
4
Bangladesh: Geographical Settings
Geographical Location:
Bangladesh is right on the Tropic of Cancer. More
Precisely it is between 20035' and 26075' North of the
Equator.
The 900 East longitude bisects the country, whose
West-East spread is from 8803' to 90015' East.

5
Bangladesh-Geographical Settings
Geography
Area: 147, 570 sq. km. (55,813 sq. mi.); about the
size of Iowa.
Cities: Capital--Dhaka (pop. 10 million). Other
cities--Chittagong (2.8 million), Khulna (1.8
million), Rajshahi (1 million).
Terrain: Mainly flat alluvial plain, with hills in the
northeast and southeast.
Climate: Semitropical, monsoonal.

6
Bangladesh-Geographical Settings

7
The World Map
Bangladesh-Geographical Settings

8
Bangladesh-Geographical Settings

9
 Bangladesh-Geographical Settings
Most parts of Bangladesh are within 10 meters
(33 ft) above the sea level, and it is believed that
about 10% of the land would be flooded if the sea
level were to rise by One (1) metre (3 ft). [29]
Because of this low elevation, much of this region is
exceptionally vulnerable to seasonal flooding due
to monsoons.
The highest point in Bangladesh is in Mowdok
range at 1,052 metres (3,451 ft) in the Southeast of
the country. 10
 Bangladesh: Physical Environment
•Major natural assets of Bangladesh are its access to the
open Ocean, the tropical climate, the abundance of good
soils, and the seasonal abundance of rainfall and river
flow.
•It is often said that Bangladesh is poor in natural
resources, but this is not true.
•By natural resources some refer only mineral and gas
resources, which are apparently scarce in the alluvial
basin, but even that superficial view has began to change
with further exploration.

11
 Bangladesh: Physical Environment
As tropical climate is another asset, which enables crops to
be grown throughout the year, unlike countries in high
latitudes.
In Bangladesh, temperatures are seldom below 7 degree
Centigrade, considered critical tropical plant growth.
Sunshine is abundant, even during the rainy season (“the
Monsoons”), enables high-yielding crops to be grown.

12
  Climate of Bangladesh
 Sub-divisions of Climate
Climate of Bangladesh  Climatic change
 Climatic zones
 Impact of climate
The Ganges Padma River System
River Systems of The Brahamaputra & jamuna River System
Bangladesh The Surma-Meghna River System
Impact of river systems
Flood
Types of flood
Floods in Bangladesh Factors of flood
Impact of flood
Historical overview
Flood mitigation Practice in Bangladesh13
Possible flood mitigation strategies
Climate of Bangladesh

14
Climate

15
16
Climate:
Climate the average condition of the atmosphere near
the earth surface over a long period of time, taking into
account temperature, precipitation, humidity, wind,
cloud, barometric pressure etc.

Climate of Bangladesh:
In Bangladesh we see tropical climate. But has
a great impact of monsoon climate. For this
reason three seasons are observed in
Bangladesh. These are ;
Summer, Winter, and Rainy season. 17
Summer Season
Time: From March to May.
Temperature: Highest temperature is about
34ºc and lowest is 21ºc.
Wind Flow: In summer moist and dry
monsoon wind is flow from south west and
other cold and dry monsoon wind is flow from
north west.
Rainfall: For these two winds Nor’wester is
happen in Summer. Average rainfall is 51cm..
18
Winter Season
Time: From November to February.
Temperature: Highest and lowest
Temperature: About 29ºand 11ºc.
Wind flow: Cold Northeast monsoon wind is
blow in this season.
It’s lowest humidity is 36%
Rainfall: It is about 5 to 15cm.

19
Rainy Season

Time: From June to October.

Temperature: Average Temperature is 27ºc.
Wind blow: Southwest monsoon wind is blow.
Rainfall: Average highest and lowest rainfall is
340cm and 119cm

20
Characteristics of climate in Bangladesh :
 Main characteristic of climate in Bangladesh is warm moist
.
Summer and cold temperate Winter.
 When season changes then the speed of wind is also change.
 June-July is the warmest and December-January is coldest
month.

21
 Climatic Map
Of
Bangladesh
( Temperature & Rainfall )

Source: Banglapedia 22
Sub-divisions of Climate :

We all ready know that Climate is a average condition of

some elements such as follows ~

Atmospheric pressure & winds

Temperature

Humidity

Clouds

Rainfall
23
Atmospheric pressure & winds :
These are characterized by seasonal reversals between
Summer & Winter in Bangladesh.
In winter, a centre of high pressure lies over the North-
Western part of India.
In summer a centre of low pressure develops over the
East-Central part of India.

Temperature :
January is the coldest month, average temperature
is about 17°C in the north-western part & north-eastern
parts to 20°C-21°C.
April is the hottest month, average temperature is about
27°C in the northeast to 30°C in the extreme west central
parts.
24
Humidity :
It has an important role upon climate. The condition of
humidity in Bangladesh given bellow ⇒

Humid Period Area %

condition
Least humidity March & April Western part +57%

January to March Eastern part +59%

Relative humidity June to September Everywhere 80%

Average relative Whole year Everywhere 70.5% -

humidity 78.1%

25
Clouds:
In Bangladesh, the cloud cover has two opposing seasonal
patterns, coinciding with the winter monsoon & the summer
monsoon.

Cloud covertness in Bangladesh given bellow ~

Period Area %
Winter Almost About 10%
monsoon everywhere

Cloud`s Pre-monsoon Almost 30-40%

everywhere
covertness
Summer north-western 75%
monsoon Southern & 90%
Eastern

26
Rainfall:
The single most
dominant element of the
climate of Bangladesh,
because its location in
the Tropical monsoon
region.
region

Source: Banglapedia
27
 28
Source:http://www.fas.org/irp/imint/docs/rst/Sect14/India_TRMM2004194.jpg
Figure :- Humidity (%)
Humid condition 90
80
70
of Bangladesh. 60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Western part Eastern part Everywhere Everywhere

(March & April) (January to March) (June to September) (Whole year)

Least humidity Relative humidity Average relative

humidity

Figure :- 100
Cloud cove rtness (%)

Cloud covertness. 90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Almost Almost North-western Southern &
e ve rywhe re ev e rywhe re Easte rn

Winter monsoon Pre-monsoon Summer monsoon 29

Climatic stations :
Bangladesh Meteorological Department is responsible
for observation, recording & archiving of climatic data
of various stations in the Country. Like – Cox's Bazar,
Bhola, Jessore, Dhaka, Dinajpur,etc.

Weather report :

Bangladesh Meteorological Department prepares the

weather reports of the country, which broadcast by
Mass-communication.

30
www.fao.org/ag/AGL/swlwpnr/reports/y_sa/z_ 31
bd/bdmp131.htm http://www.lged.org/sre/windmap.jpg
Climatic change :

Any climatic change in Bangladesh will, of course, be a part

of Worldwide climatic changes.

The temperature has been increasing since the beginning of the

20th century. It is called GLOBAL WARMING and due to the
burning of fossil fuel.

Besides Deforestation has an important role upon climatic

change. Higher rate of population growth is responsible
for Deforestation.

32
Climatic Zones:
Bangladesh is located in the tropical MONSOON region.
On the basis of entire climatic condition Bangladesh can
be divided into seven distinct climatic zones, as follows -
Name Area Temp(°C) Rainfall
South-eastern Costal belt & 13°C-32°C +2540 mm
chittagong
North-eastern East & south sylhet 10°C-32°C 3000 mm
Upper northern Northern part 10°C-32°C +2000 mm
North-western Kushtia,Bogra,Rangp 10°C-32°C 1750 mm
ur
Western Greater Rajshahi 7°C-35°C 1500 mm
South-eastern Jessore,Rajbari,etc. 12°C-32°C +1500 mm
South-central Most of the central 15°C-31°C +1900 mm
part 33
 Temp(°C) Rainfall(mm)
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0

central
South-
eastern
eastern

Western

eastern
northern

western

South-
South-

North-

North-
Upper

Figure :- Temperature & Rainfall

according to the Climatic Sub-region. 34
Climatic sub-region are
Shown in the map ~

A- South-eastern zone
B- North-eastern zone
C- Upper northern zone
D- North-western zone
E- Western zone
F- South-eastern zone
G- South-central zone

35
Impact of Climate

Impact on Agriculture
Impact on Industries
Impact on Forest resources
Impact on fisheries
Impact on trade and commerce
Impact on transportation

36
Above figures show us Cyclone & Flood affected area of Bangladesh,
which is the extreme view of weather as well as climate.

37
RIVER SYSTEMS
OF
BANGLADESH

38
 Bangladesh is a land of river. River is an important
feature of physiographic . The pride of Bangladesh is
its rivers with one of the largest networks in the world
with a total number of about 700 rivers including
tributaries, which have a total length of about 24,140
km.

RIVER: A volume of water which flows in a channel

from high ground to low ground and ultimately to a
lake or the sea.

39
River / Length (km) :
Arial Khan160 Bangshi 238 Betna-
Kholpotua 191Bhadra 193 Bhairab
250 Bhogai-Kangsa 225 Brahmaputra-
Jamuna (Jamuna 207) 276 Buriganga
27Chitra 170 Dakatia 207 Dhaleshwari
160 Dhanu-Baulai-Ghorautra 235
Donai-Charalkata-Jamuneshwari-
Karatoya 450 Ganges-Padma (Ganges
258, Padma 120) 378 Gorai-Madhumati-
Baleshwar 371 Ghaghat 236 Karatoya-
Atrai-Gur-Gumani-Hurasagar 597
Karnafuli 180 Kobadak 260 Kumar
162 Kushiyara 228 Little Feni-Dakatia
195 Lower Meghna 160 Matamuhuri
287 Mathabhanga 156 Nabaganga 230
Old Brahmaputra 276 Punarbhaba 160
Rupsa-Pasur 141Sangu 173 Surma-
Meghna 670 Tista 115

Source BBS 1999. 40

RIVER SYSTEM OF BANGLADESH

The river system of Bangladesh is divided in three types:

1. GANGES PADMA RIVER SYSTEM

2. BRAHMAPUTRA & JAMUNA RIVER SYSTEMN

3 The SURMA-MEGHNA RIVER SYSTEMN

41
42
GANGES PADMA RIVER SYSTEM

43
GANGES/PADMA RIVER
SYSTEM:
This river being originated
Himalayas and are mainly snow-
fed.
The mighty river Ganges enters
Bangladesh through its north
western side and changes its
name to Padma.
The Kumar, Mathabhanga,
Bhairab,Garai, Madhumati,
Arialkhan are the chief branches of
the Padma & the Mahananda is
the main tributary .
The Punarbhaba,pagla,kolik,Tangan
are the tributaries of Padma
44
Greatest
Delta in
the
Ganga
Padma
basin

45
 RIVER MILES KM

The Padma Ganges & its Total length of 700 river . 13770 22155
distribution system.
Padma 554 892
a. West region 43 70
b. At pabna
57 92
c. At Nawabgang
21 33
d. At taltala confluence
199 320
The Padma Ganges 190 305
Mathabhanga 80 128
Ichamati 56 90
Bhaira 99 590
Kumar 275 443
kubadak 174 280
Chidra 117 188
46
Garai, Madhumati 195 314
BRAHMAPUTRA & JAMUNA RIVER SYSTEM

47
 BRAHMAPUTRA & JAMUNA
RIVER SYSTEM :

The Jamuna-Brahmaputra is 292 kilometers

long and extends from northern Bangladesh to
its confluence with the Padma. Originating as
the Yarlung Zangbo Jiang in China's Xizang
Autonomous Region (Tibet) and flowing
through India's state of Arunachal Pradesh,
where it becomes known as the Brahmaputra
("Son of Brahma"), it receives waters from five
major tributaries that total some 740 kilometers
in length. At the point where the Brahmaputra
meets the Tista River in Bangladesh, it
becomes known as the Jamuna. The Jamuna is
notorious for its shifting subchannels and for
the formation of fertile silt islands (chars). No
permanent settlements can exist along its
banks.

48
Sat image on
BRAHMAPUTRA &
JAMUNA RIVER
SYSTEM

49
 RIVER MILES KM
The Jamuna &
Brahmaputra River
system Total length of 700 rivers 13770 22155

Teesta 174 280

Old Brahmatutra 217 350

Dhaleswari 139 224

Buriganga 17 27
50
THE SURMA-MEGHNA
RIVER SYSTEM:
The third network is the Surma-Meghna
system, which courses from the
northeastern border with India to
Chandpur, where it joins the Padma.
The Surma-Meghna, at 669 kilometers
by itself the longest formed by the
union of six lesser rivers river in
Bangladesh, is. Below the city of
Kalipur it is known as the Meghna.
When the Padma and Meghna join
together, they form the fourth river
system--the Padma-Meghna--which
flows 145 kilometers to the Bay of
Bengal.
51
The Meghna& Surma
distribution system.
RIVER KM
MIL
ES

Total length of 700 rivers 13770 2215

5

Surma-Meghna (Border to 375 574

chadpur)

Meghna from Chandpur to 99 160

Bay of Bengal

Surma 217 350

52
kushiyara 68 110
 RIVER & ITS COVER AREA
NAME OF THE RIVER MILES AREA COVER
Surma Meghna 416 sylhet(180),comilla(146),barisal(90)

Karatoya,atrai,hursagar 371 Dinajpur(161)rajshahi(160)pabna(50)

Donai,karatoya 280 Rangpur(120)bogra(98)pabna(62)
Ganges,padma 233 Rajshahi(90)pabna(60)dhaka(60)
Garai,Modhumati,Baleswar 231 Kushtia(36)faridpur(70),khulna(104)

Old Brahmaputra 172 Mymenshingh(172)

Brahmaputra & Jumuna 172 Rangpur (75)Pabna(75)
Bangshi 148 Mymenshingh (123 Dhaka(25)
Ghagat 247 Rangpur(247)
Dhanu,Boulai 146 Sylhet (68) Mymenshingh(78)
Nobaganga 144 Kushtia (16) Jessore (128)
Kushiyara 142 Sylhet (142)
Bhogal-kangsa 140 Mymenshingh(140)

53
Impact of River Systems

Impact on Economy
Impact on Agriculture
Impact on Flood
Impact on Environment

54
Floods in Bangladesh

55
Flood

At the present time 130 million people of Bangladesh are facing a

series of environmental problems.

Flooding is one water- related environmental problem that is directly

related to human activities.

The magnitude and intensity of flooding are very much dependent

on land-use practices in the watershed of each rivers or streams.

Finding solutions to the flooding problem is imperative.

56
DEFINITION OF FLOOD
Flood relatively high flow of water that overtops the natural or
artificial banks in any of the reaches of a stream.

Unusual or above normal surface-water flow that inundates

otherwise high ground is called a flood.

Riverine floods occur when the amount of water flowing in a

drainage basin or watershed (the area that collects and directs the
surface water into the streams that drain it) exceeds the carrying
capacity of rivers which drain the area.

57
TYPES OF FLOOD
Monsoon flood-caused by major rivers usually in the
monsoon (during June-September).
Flash flood-caused by overflowing of hilly rivers of eastern
and northern Bangladesh (in April-May and September-
November).
Tidal flood-caused by storm surges.
Local flood.-Rain floods caused by drainage congestion and
heavy rains.

58
 Flood Types Map

Source:
www.apfm.info/pdf/case_studi
es/bangladesh.pdf
59
 CAUSES OF FLOOD
Short term causes
Long term causes

Short-term Causes
Monsoon downpour
Synchronization of Flood Peaks
Rainfall of the up stream

60
Source: Banglapedia
61
Long-term Causes
Topographical Characteristics
Subsidence and Compaction of Sediments
Riverbed Aggradations
Deforestation in the Upstream Region
Damming of Rivers
Soil Erosion due to Tilling
Excessive Development/Unplanned development
Seismic (Earthquake) and Neotectonic Activities
Greenhouse Effect/snow malting in Himalayans
Local Relative Sea Level Rise
62
 •About 50% of the country is
within 6-7 m of MSL.

Figure 1: Topography of Bangladesh

Source:
National Plan for Disaster Management
2007-2015
Ministry of Food and Disaster Management
April 2007
63
Source:http://www.geog.ucsb.edu/~jeff/115a/remote_sensing/radar/bang_seal
64

evel1.jpg
HISTORICAL OVERVIEW

Source:http://www.sdnbd.org/sdi/issues/floods_drainage/article/flooded_area
65
_1954_to_2005.htm
 Source:Roll-020300,(2003-04)Mapping of 66
the
Source: Banglapedia Flood Affected Area of Bangladesh,1955-2004.
 67
Source:Roll-020300,(2003-04)Mapping of the Flood Affected Area of Bangladesh,1955-2004.
 68
Source:Roll-020300,(2003-04)Mapping of the Flood Affected Area of Bangladesh,1955-2004.
 69
Source:Roll-020300,(2003-04)Mapping of the Flood Affected Area of Bangladesh,1955-2004.
 70
Source:Roll-020300,(2003-04)Mapping of the Flood Affected Area of Bangladesh,1955-2004.
 71
Source:Roll-020300,(2003-04)Mapping of the Flood Affected Area of Bangladesh,1955-2004.
 Source:Roll-020300,(2003-04)Mapping 72 of the
Source: Banglapedia Flood Affected Area of Bangladesh,1955-2004.
 73
Source:Roll-020300,(2003-04)Mapping of the Flood Affected Area of Bangladesh,1955-2004.
 74
Source:Roll-020300,(2003-04)Mapping of the Flood Affected Area of Bangladesh,1955-2004.
 75
Source:Roll-020300,(2003-04)Mapping of the Flood Affected Area of Bangladesh,1955-2004.
 76
Source:Roll-020300,(2003-04)Mapping of the Flood Affected Area of Bangladesh,1955-2004.
 Source:Roll-020300,(2003-04)Mapping of 77
the Flood
Source: Banglapedia Affected Area of Bangladesh,1955-2004.
 78
Source:Roll-020300,(2003-04)Mapping of the Flood Affected Area of Bangladesh,1955-2004.
 79
Source:Roll-020300,(2003-04)Mapping of the Flood Affected Area of Bangladesh,1955-2004.
 80
Source:Roll-020300,(2003-04)Mapping of the Flood Affected Area of Bangladesh,1955-2004.
Source:http://phys4.harvard.edu/~wilson/arsenic Source:Roll-020300,(2003-04)Mapping81 of the
/countries/bangladesh/bangladesh_map4.gif
Flood Affected Area of Bangladesh,1955-2004.
 82
Source:Roll-020300,(2003-04)Mapping of the Flood Affected Area of Bangladesh,1955-2004.
Source:Roll-020300,(2003-04)Mapping of the Source:http://www.searo.who.int/Image/
83
Flood Affected Area of Bangladesh,1955-2004.
map_ban2.gif
 Historical effect due to flood

Summarized Table of floods in Bangladesh from 1904 to 2004

# of Killed Injured Homeless Affected Total DamageU
  Event Affected S (000's)
s

Flood  62  49,680  102,020  60,853,724  278,043,273  338,999,017  9,165,100 

ave. per 
   801  1,646  981,512  4,484,569  5,467,726  147,824 
event

Created on: Aug-1-2004. - Data version: v07.04 
 Source: "EM-DAT: The OFDA/CRED International Disaster Database, 
www.em-dat.net - Université catholique de Louvain - Brussels - Belgium"

Source:http://www.sdnbd.org/sdi/issues/floods_drainage/2004/data/index.htm
84
 Top 10 Natural Disasters in Bangladesh
(sorted by numbers of people killed )
Disaster Date Killed
Famine 1943 1,900,000
Epidemic 1918 393,000
Wind Storm 12-Nov-1970 300,000
Wind Storm 30-Apr-1991 138,866
Wind Storm Oct-1942 61,000
Wind Storm 11-May-1965 36,000
Flood Jul-1974 28,700
Wind Storm Jun-1965 12,047
Wind Storm 28-May-1963 11,500
Wind Storm 9-May-1961 11,000
85
Source:http://www.sdnbd.org/sdi/issues/floods_drainage/2004/data/index.htm
 Top 10 Natural Disasters in Bangladesh
(affected sorted by numbers of
Disaster people ) Date Affected
Flood 22-Jul-1987 73,000,000
Flood Aug-1988 73,000,000
Flood Jul-1974 38,000,000
Flood May-1984 30,000,000
Drought 5-Jul-1983 20,000,000
Flood Jul-1968 15,889,616
Wind Storm 11-May-1965 15,600,000
Wind Storm 30-Apr-1991 15,438,849
Flood 8-Jul-1998 15,000,050
Flood 15-Jun-1995 12,656,006
86

Source:http://www.sdnbd.org/sdi/issues/floods_drainage/2004/data/index.htm
Flood Impact
Physical
Social
Cultural
Economical
Political
Agricultural
Infrastructural
87
Flood Mitigation Practices in
Bangladesh
Structural Mitigation
Flood Action plan

Non structural Mitigation

Flood warning System
Others

88
Flood Action Plan (FAP)
FAP :

FAP is an initiative to study the causes & nature of

flood
in Bangladesh & to prepare guidelines for controlling
It.

It included 29 different components of which 11 were

regional.

It has 11 guiding principles.

89
 Flood Forecasting
Flood warning has been in a state
of continuous development since
1972.

Source:
National Plan for Disaster
Management
2007-2015
Ministry of Food and Disaster
Management
April 2007 90
Possible Flood management and
mitigation strategies

Structural solutions and

Non structural solutions.

91
Structural Solutions
Structural solutions call for the engineering of
structures such as embankments along rivers,
dams, drains, reservoirs, and other structures
designed to control the natural flow of rivers.
Dredging and Re-excavation of
Rivers
Dams
Others 92
Non structural Solutions
 Preventing Land Degradation
 Flood Preparedness
 Interbasinal Cooperation

93
Conclusions
The climate, river systems and the flood, all are
closely related. The Climate of Bangladesh is
closely related with the monsoon which is also
closely related with the flood and river systems.
The climate of Bangladesh is changing. The
result is observed in the flood by the river
system.
The life of Bangladeshi people are closely
related with the climate, rivers and floods. 94