367 / 2024-02-29 21:48:53

How Community-Driven Anticipatory Action Can Improve Flood Response in Northeastern Bangladesh during the 2022 Extreme Event

Flood,Early Action,Anticipatory Action,Early Warning Message,Community-led

In the northeastern (NE) region of Bangladesh, flash floods are known for their unpredictable and lightning-quick nature. These floods can occur suddenly, and they tend to affect specific areas with a rapid and explosive rise in water levels, and this intensity of water causes significant damage to the affected areas. Early warnings for severe flash floods are challenging to provide because of the rapid runoff response and the necessity for localized rainfall forecasts, where community-led forecast-based early action can be an ideal option for avoiding damage.

This study examines how community-led early actions for flash floods in the northeastern (NE) region of Bangladesh can improve the accessibility, actionability, and inclusivity of even limited early warnings, especially for the last-mile communities, while also identifying policy changes and interventions that can improve their effectiveness. This research systematically evaluates the needs and priorities of communities for Early Action (EA) against flash floods by utilizing a mixed research methods (qualitative and quantitative research) approach that examines the intersection of vulnerability, gender, and Early Warning System (EWS) dependence, paving the way for more inclusive and responsive disaster preparedness. 12 Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and 14 Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were held from November to December 2023 to gain an understanding of local opinions and insights regarding improving accessibility and inclusivity within limitations of limited early warning. Key informant interviews (KIIs) were carried out with government officials, trade associations, CBOs, and non-governmental organizations. A range of groups participated in focus group discussions (FGDs), including women, the elderly, the disabled, people of different ethnic backgrounds, people of different religious beliefs, and people in different occupations.



This study identified that, despite the severity of the 2022 flash flood, proactive infrastructure measures such as raising house plinths, repairing damaged embankments by the community within a short time, and following suitable anticipatory actions (AAs) helped them reduce risks and losses during the flash flood of 2022. This indicated that community-led early actions could be a more effective solution to bolster flash flood resilience, especially when paired with improved strategies and infrastructure investments. By incorporating anticipatory action (AA), a comprehensive approach to addressing the risks of flooding can be developed, ultimately lowering the impact on lives, property, and livelihoods in the northeastern (NE) region of Bangladesh. As these calamities become more commonplace worldwide due to climate change, these methods can offer insightful information about preventing and minimizing them in the future.