Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Advisor to the Ministry of Water Resources and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, stated that to minimize flood damage, we must increase our preparedness and ensure accurate early flood forecasting. She emphasized that several improvements are necessary and that delays in empowering our institutions must be avoided.
She made these remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a seminar titled “Flood Hazards in Sylhet Region: Problems and Way Forward,” organized by the Jalalabad Officers’ Association at the Probashi Kallyan Auditorium of the Probashi Kallyan Bhaban in Eskaton, Dhaka, this afternoon.
Advisor Rizwana Hasan further stated that discussions are ongoing with the UK Met Office to assist Bangladesh in obtaining site-specific flood forecasts and access to their high-resolution data. She expressed optimism that a partnership would enable Bangladesh to overcome critical gaps in flood preparedness.
She added that Sylhet faces riverbank erosion in addition to flooding. While flooding presents challenges, it also has benefits for a dynamic delta like ours, as the silt carried by rivers during floods enriches the soil. However, when flood events exceed our management capacity, they become problematic. She noted that floods have occurred throughout history and will continue to occur, and there is no way to prevent them entirely. Our delta is still geologically active, and the impacts of climate change are intensifying these issues.
She stressed that although we may not be able to stop floods, we must examine how our activities are increasing flood risks, especially in the context of climate change. We must also take action to reduce climate change by limiting the use of fossil fuels and controlling other contributing factors.
Advisor Rizwana Hasan mentioned that preliminary approval has been given for the Surma-Kushiyara Flood and Water Management Project (2025–2028), with a total estimated budget of Tk 1,042 crore. She invited feedback on this project. Additionally, a project for flood and water management in the Sunamganj Haor region is being planned for the same period, with an estimated budget of Tk 2,064 crore. She also requested opinions on this initiative.
She informed that the Haor Department has been instructed to develop guidelines for regulating tourism in the haor areas. Delineation of the boundaries of Tanguar Haor and Hakaluki Haor is underway to determine where to establish swamp forests, whether to allow land leasing, and how to prevent filling of land and industrial development on private land within the haor areas.
The advisor also mentioned that 11 rivers have been initially identified—one from each division and the Bankkhali River in Cox’s Bazar—for targeted plans to eliminate encroachment and pollution. She said that if work can begin on restoring at least one river during the current term, it would serve as an example, and preparations for cleaning up the remaining rivers will also be completed.
Special guests at the event included Professor Dr. Bidhan Ranjan Roy Podder, Advisor to the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, and Matiur Rahman Chowdhury, Editor of Manab Zamin newspaper.The keynote presentation was delivered by Dr. Md. Abdur Rob, former professor at the University of Dhaka and current Acting Vice Chancellor of Manarat International University.
The welcome address was given by Additional Secretary Zafrur Reza Chowdhury.Other speakers on flood risk in the Sylhet region included BUET IWFM Professor Dr. Mashfiqus Salehin and Professor Dr. Mohammad Faizul Islam Chowdhury, among others.
The seminar was chaired by prominent physician Professor Dr. Md. Abdullah.
At the end of the event, the Jalalabad Officers’ Association announced its new executive committee for the next two years, electing Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, Mr. Abdun Naser Khan, as President and Dhaka Divisional Commissioner Mr. Sharaf Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury as General Secretary.