The floods caused 23.5 million people to become homeless with many losing all their belongings. Farmers were especially affected by the floods. 130 million cattle were killed during the floods and the rice crop was also severely affected with one million hectares of cropland destroyed. This affected 2.5 million farmers and due to the loss of the rice crop the food supplies were seriously affected.
Relief efforts were difficult because of the damage to communication links: the main port of Chittagong was closed for weeks, and roads and railways were cut. In total 11 000km of roads were damaged and some 6500 bridges damaged, making the distribution of aid and the rescue operation very difficult. The damage to the country’s infrastructure also had a knock on effect on the economy.
The impact on the economy was significant with over 400 clothing factories being closed. Production was down 20% in Bangladesh’s important export industries, shrimp and garments. Shipping from the main port Chittagong was impossible due to it being closed for weeks. Electricity supplies were also disrupted.
The total flood damage to crops, roads and infrastructure was estimated at US$2 billion and 30- 40 million people were affected.
Although the floods have many negative impacts on Bangladesh they do also have their benefits.
As well as providing water for crops, when flooding occurs, as there is friction between the water and the surface of the land, the water slows down and loses its energy. This loss of energy results in the deposition of rich fertile soil resulting in the providing of important nutrients enabling people to grow crops. At times of flooding farmers protect their rice crops by constructing bamboo fences to exclude water hyacinth and other aquatic weeds transported by flood water. In the post flood season boro rice is cultivated. This variety benefits from the silt deposition. The extra moisture and fertility provided by the floods prepare for vegetable production in the dry season. The floods also flush pollutants and pathogens away form domestic areas as well as provide ideal conditions for the growth of blue/green algae which reduces the need for artificial fertilizers. The abrupt rise in the price of rice after floods also helps farmers economically.
This deposition of silt also creates land on which people can live on for example the Ganges delta has been formed in this way as deposition has occurred where the river has entered the Bay of Bengal.
Fishing is a major source for the poor and the fish provide 75% of dietary protein and over 10% of annual export earnings. The relatively high level of fish production is attributed to the nutrient rich delta of the three river system. During flood water filled depressions and floodplains become inter- connected and integrated into a single biological production system. This cycle enables brood stocks and young fish and pawn species to migrate up and downstream in the rivers as well as laterally, into and out of the floodplains.
The floods also replenish groundwater reserves. Groundwater is an important resource of Bangladesh and is used for both domestic and agricultural needs. A deep aquifer at about 60- 120m in depth has been identified in many parts of the country and has been used for irrigation purposes. The aquifer recharge zone is some distance upstream from the coast, along major rivers, and any increase in salinity increases the cost of exploration and pf pumping costs. Floods play a very important role in groundwater recharge.