Comparing Bangladesh with Netherlands
Using the information we have gathered from Bangladesh and the Netherlands, we see that there are various similarities and differences regarding how they manage their floods, the causes of their floods, and the impact it has caused to their country. Below is a list of similarities and differences that have been identified based on the research we have conducted.
Urbanization
Urbanization is a factor that has played a big role on supporting the floods in both the Netherlands and Bangladesh. It is one of the human causes for flooding in both country. The factor has had the similar impacts such as reducing the lag time and increasing the peak discharge. Both country has an increase in population, which leads to the growth in urbanization and construction of buildings and roads that has destroyed mass amount of vegetations for rain water interception.
One thing that is different about urbanization between the Netherlands and the Bangladesh is the speed of urbanization as well as the scale of the changes in the environmental conditions of the country regarding natural flood controls. Bangladesh was originally full of agricultural lands and did not lack vegetations on lands or valley. However, with the rapid growth in the overall population of the country and the pursuit of country development, many citizens have moved into the cities abandoning the lands. These lands were then used to city constructions, which changed the shape of the land and the state posthaste. As urbanisation took place in short amount of time, the government was unaware of the impacts it gave on the intensity of the flooding. The flood defenses were not reinforced when urbanization accelerated. The defenses remained the same quality as it was when many regions still had the forests and agricultural lands, which makes it vulnerable to the increased intensity of the flooding after urbanization. As a conclusion, the effects of the flooding urbanisation made to the country was enormous in comparison to the impacts of the flooding made to the Netherlands due to urbanization.
However, since the Netherlands is a MEDC (More Economically Developed Country), the percentage of the urbanization in the country is greater than Bangladesh. The data in 2010 showed that 83% of the total population in the Netherlands are under urban population. On the other hand, Bangladesh has only 28% of the total population that is under the urban population. This shows that the Netherlands is more prone to damage during the flooding due to its mass impermeable flat lands in the country.
One thing that is different about urbanization between the Netherlands and the Bangladesh is the speed of urbanization as well as the scale of the changes in the environmental conditions of the country regarding natural flood controls. Bangladesh was originally full of agricultural lands and did not lack vegetations on lands or valley. However, with the rapid growth in the overall population of the country and the pursuit of country development, many citizens have moved into the cities abandoning the lands. These lands were then used to city constructions, which changed the shape of the land and the state posthaste. As urbanisation took place in short amount of time, the government was unaware of the impacts it gave on the intensity of the flooding. The flood defenses were not reinforced when urbanization accelerated. The defenses remained the same quality as it was when many regions still had the forests and agricultural lands, which makes it vulnerable to the increased intensity of the flooding after urbanization. As a conclusion, the effects of the flooding urbanisation made to the country was enormous in comparison to the impacts of the flooding made to the Netherlands due to urbanization.
However, since the Netherlands is a MEDC (More Economically Developed Country), the percentage of the urbanization in the country is greater than Bangladesh. The data in 2010 showed that 83% of the total population in the Netherlands are under urban population. On the other hand, Bangladesh has only 28% of the total population that is under the urban population. This shows that the Netherlands is more prone to damage during the flooding due to its mass impermeable flat lands in the country.
Land Use
Based on our research, we see that the land use of both countries have contributed to the various flooding issues over the past few years. One major similarity between these two countries is agriculture. Both Bangladesh and the Netherlands are strongly reliant on agriculture for exports and income. As a result, many vegetation have been destroyed to be used as plough-land. This makes the soil more prone to erosion, and reduces the interception of water. The lag time shortens simultaneously, and as a result, both countries are prone to flooding.
On the other hand, one major difference between the land use, is the fact that Bangladesh is more focused towards agriculture, while the Netherlands has a range of industries, particularly mining and quarrying. This makes the Netherlands more prone to flooding, as most of their land is quarried and lacks permeable soil. The chances for surface runoff will increase, and the country continues to go deeper below sea level. From this standpoint, the Netherlands is more prone to flooding, solely because their mining and quarrying industries are exploiting the land far more than that in Bangladesh.
On the other hand, one major difference between the land use, is the fact that Bangladesh is more focused towards agriculture, while the Netherlands has a range of industries, particularly mining and quarrying. This makes the Netherlands more prone to flooding, as most of their land is quarried and lacks permeable soil. The chances for surface runoff will increase, and the country continues to go deeper below sea level. From this standpoint, the Netherlands is more prone to flooding, solely because their mining and quarrying industries are exploiting the land far more than that in Bangladesh.
Deforestation
From the research, we see that deforestation has played a huge role in both countries, mainly due to their excessive use of land for agriculture and industrial development. In the Netherlands, we see that just over 2% of their woodland was deforested for the sake of agriculture between 2010 and 2012. Similarly, Bangladesh has deforested most of the trees along the mountain range of the Himalayan Mountains, in order to undergo rapid urbanization. As a result, both countries are experiencing less interception of water during a heavy rainfall, and as a result, soil gets saturated easily and flood risks increase as well.
On the other hand, one major difference between these two countries, is that Bangladesh has slightly more vegetation than the Netherlands. This is mainly because 80% of the country lives in rural areas, while the urban population in the Netherlands already takes up 82.9% of the country. As a result, there is less deforestation in Bangladesh compared to the Netherlands, with statistics showing that 17% of the country consists of woodlands and forested areas. This might show signs that Bangladesh has greater interception compared to the Netherlands. However, due to the other causes and factors in the country, along with the fact that Bangladesh receives far more rainfall compared to the Netherlands, the vegetation may still not be enough to reduce the lag time of water flow in the country's drainage basin.
On the other hand, one major difference between these two countries, is that Bangladesh has slightly more vegetation than the Netherlands. This is mainly because 80% of the country lives in rural areas, while the urban population in the Netherlands already takes up 82.9% of the country. As a result, there is less deforestation in Bangladesh compared to the Netherlands, with statistics showing that 17% of the country consists of woodlands and forested areas. This might show signs that Bangladesh has greater interception compared to the Netherlands. However, due to the other causes and factors in the country, along with the fact that Bangladesh receives far more rainfall compared to the Netherlands, the vegetation may still not be enough to reduce the lag time of water flow in the country's drainage basin.
Flood Control (Technology)
Suffering from a range of flooding incidents, both Bangladesh and the Netherlands have learned to cope with this natural disaster by setting up various flood control infrastructures and schemes to prevent floods from occurring. Both countries, for example, have artificial infrastructures, such as dykes, levees, and embarkments, made to block off river and sea water from overflowing and flooding nearby areas. Additionally, flood warning schemes have been made to warn people of floods prior to an actual flood. Whereas Bangladesh has established a 26-step Flood Action Plan (FAP), the Netherlands have also created an evacuation system aimed at assisting civilians in protecting themselves from floods. In both cases, these infrastructures and schemes have been made to reduce the chances of flooding, as well as minimizing the impact it may cause to both countries.
Another similarity between the two countries, is the fact that these infrastructures are also a human causes of flooding. As dykes and embarkments are built near rivers and river banks to prevent water from overflowing to nearby homes, parts of these infrastructures are often weakened by erosion and some parts are deposited into the bottom of the river bed. As a result of this, the discharge of water these rivers can hold decreases, increasing the chances of flooding in nearby areas. Additionally, as artificial structures are weakened over time, it increases the likelihood of water breeching these structures and causing huge damage to surrounding areas.
On the other hand, one main difference between the flood control in these two countries, is the fact that Bangladesh's flood control technology is not as developed as that of the Netherlands. Due to its poor economic and technological advancement, Bangladesh is unable to invest as much money into flood control systems as the Netherlands. An example of this would be the sluices and dykes in the Netherlands, which is made of durable metal alloys and installed with surveillance cameras and electronic sensors that help keep track of changes in water levels. Bangladesh, on the other hand, does not have any of this, and only 'regulates' its embarkments and dykes by adding more supports to it regularly, such that it can prevent the overflowing of water in nearby areas. Compared to the Netherlands, Bangladesh is doing less to maintain the quality of its embarkments and artificial structures. As a result, Bangladesh is less protected by these structures compared to the Netherlands, making Bangladesh more prone to flooding as well.
Another difference between these two countries, is the fact that the warning systems in Bangladesh are poorly developed compared to the Netherlands. With 80% of Bangladesh living in rural areas, communication systems are not as efficient, and flood warnings are not as effective. As a result, many civilians are only given warnings 5 - 6 hours before a flood occurs, which does not provide them enough time to evacuate the area. The Netherlands on the other hand provides better flood warnings due to its more advanced communication technology, alerting civilians 24 hours beforehand. As a result, the impact flooding has caused to the Netherlands is minimal compared to Bangladesh, as people are more able to cope and react to such situations, due to the efficient communication signals the country provides.
Another similarity between the two countries, is the fact that these infrastructures are also a human causes of flooding. As dykes and embarkments are built near rivers and river banks to prevent water from overflowing to nearby homes, parts of these infrastructures are often weakened by erosion and some parts are deposited into the bottom of the river bed. As a result of this, the discharge of water these rivers can hold decreases, increasing the chances of flooding in nearby areas. Additionally, as artificial structures are weakened over time, it increases the likelihood of water breeching these structures and causing huge damage to surrounding areas.
On the other hand, one main difference between the flood control in these two countries, is the fact that Bangladesh's flood control technology is not as developed as that of the Netherlands. Due to its poor economic and technological advancement, Bangladesh is unable to invest as much money into flood control systems as the Netherlands. An example of this would be the sluices and dykes in the Netherlands, which is made of durable metal alloys and installed with surveillance cameras and electronic sensors that help keep track of changes in water levels. Bangladesh, on the other hand, does not have any of this, and only 'regulates' its embarkments and dykes by adding more supports to it regularly, such that it can prevent the overflowing of water in nearby areas. Compared to the Netherlands, Bangladesh is doing less to maintain the quality of its embarkments and artificial structures. As a result, Bangladesh is less protected by these structures compared to the Netherlands, making Bangladesh more prone to flooding as well.
Another difference between these two countries, is the fact that the warning systems in Bangladesh are poorly developed compared to the Netherlands. With 80% of Bangladesh living in rural areas, communication systems are not as efficient, and flood warnings are not as effective. As a result, many civilians are only given warnings 5 - 6 hours before a flood occurs, which does not provide them enough time to evacuate the area. The Netherlands on the other hand provides better flood warnings due to its more advanced communication technology, alerting civilians 24 hours beforehand. As a result, the impact flooding has caused to the Netherlands is minimal compared to Bangladesh, as people are more able to cope and react to such situations, due to the efficient communication signals the country provides.
Geography
In both cases, the geographical backgrounds of both countries are quite similar and as a result, both countries are prone to floods. One of the main similarities between these two countries, is the fact that they are situated towards the coastline. Both Bangladesh and the Netherlands are located near the shore where there is a body of water. A vast array of rivers flow through both countries, Bangladesh in particular, which deposits sediments including silt and sand into the river beds. As a result, river aggradation occurs, where the river bed gets filled up by such deposits, making the rivers less capable of holding water discharge.
Another similarity, is the fact that both countries are dangerously below sea level. The land elevation of both countries is below sea level (low lands), meaning that it is quite difficult for both countries to drain water out of their drainage basin. This would also mean that the layer of permeable soil and rock is thinner compared to many other countries, and as a result, less water is able to infiltrate the ground and flow back into the ocean, leading to great surface runoffs.
As a result of this, both countries also suffer from great surface runoffs, leading to greater soil erosion. Due to urbanization, deforestation and agriculture, many vegetation have been removed for the sake of ploughing soil and irrigating farm land. However, as a result, most of the soil is exposed to weather changes, and high levels of surface runoff, resulting in soil erosion. Not only does this muddy the water, but it also washes away all permeable soil, forcing clay and other impermeable rocks to resurface. This makes the country more prone to floods in the near future, as the chances for surface runoff will increase.
Another similarity, is the fact that both countries are dangerously below sea level. The land elevation of both countries is below sea level (low lands), meaning that it is quite difficult for both countries to drain water out of their drainage basin. This would also mean that the layer of permeable soil and rock is thinner compared to many other countries, and as a result, less water is able to infiltrate the ground and flow back into the ocean, leading to great surface runoffs.
As a result of this, both countries also suffer from great surface runoffs, leading to greater soil erosion. Due to urbanization, deforestation and agriculture, many vegetation have been removed for the sake of ploughing soil and irrigating farm land. However, as a result, most of the soil is exposed to weather changes, and high levels of surface runoff, resulting in soil erosion. Not only does this muddy the water, but it also washes away all permeable soil, forcing clay and other impermeable rocks to resurface. This makes the country more prone to floods in the near future, as the chances for surface runoff will increase.
Natural Hazards
From the research, it is evident that the main causes of flooding in both countries situates from the extreme weather conditions they are facing. Whereas Bangladesh has heavy monsoons between June and August, the Netherlands experience hurricanes, and heavy/moderate rains. In both causes, since both countries are located near a large body of water, they often experience coastal floods and high tidal waves. This further poses a problem to them, as they are already below sea level. Along with the great changes in weather conditions, this poses a huge issue to both countries, as they not only have to take in account for heavy precipitation, but also waves and sudden rise in sea level. As a result, such a natural phenomenon has made both countries prone to flooding.
Another similarity, is the fact that both countries are affected by Climate Change. The change in climates causes snows from nearby mountains to melt, cause a sudden increase in water discharge to nearby rivers that run through these countries. Bangladesh, for example, has been suffering from floods caused by the melting of snow from the Himalayan mountains. The Netherlands, on the other hand, is affected by sudden changes in weather, which environmentalists suggests is caused by climate change.
One major difference between these two countries, however, is the fact that the Netherlands is slightly less affected by these changes compared to Bangladesh. This is related to the flood control technology the Netherlands have, where they have sluices that can protect the country from coastal floods when the sea level rises more than 3 meters. Bangladesh, on the other hand, does not have as much advanced technology. As a result, it lacks infrastructures that are well maintained enough to hold off rainfall and coastal floods.
Another similarity, is the fact that both countries are affected by Climate Change. The change in climates causes snows from nearby mountains to melt, cause a sudden increase in water discharge to nearby rivers that run through these countries. Bangladesh, for example, has been suffering from floods caused by the melting of snow from the Himalayan mountains. The Netherlands, on the other hand, is affected by sudden changes in weather, which environmentalists suggests is caused by climate change.
One major difference between these two countries, however, is the fact that the Netherlands is slightly less affected by these changes compared to Bangladesh. This is related to the flood control technology the Netherlands have, where they have sluices that can protect the country from coastal floods when the sea level rises more than 3 meters. Bangladesh, on the other hand, does not have as much advanced technology. As a result, it lacks infrastructures that are well maintained enough to hold off rainfall and coastal floods.
Economy (MEDC VS LEDC)
The effects of flooding is dependent on the size and the scale of the flooding but also the economy of the country. How well the country cope with the disaster as well as the quality of the flood defenses are determined by whether or not the country is LEDC or MEDC. For the two countries that are compared in this website, the Netherlands and Bangladesh, the former country is a MEDC and the latter is a LEDC. Commonly, the LEDC countries despite having more agricultural lands are more affected by the floods than the MEDC countries.
As Bangladesh is a country in debt and have a poor economy, the government cannot build a stable infrastructure and the roads and bridges are destroyed along with it. The financial problems have also affected the communications within the country. The people from in land then will have troubles receiving the warnings beforehand. Furthermore, the people in the country do not have a decent quality of housings and are prone to flood waters. Even after the floods, the country will continuously increase the number of population that is affected by the incidents. As there are so little cooperations between the neighboring countries of Bangladesh politically, the country has low chances of getting supports from foreign countries, which increases the time of recovery. During the time of recovery, Bangladesh will have people rescued and risks reduced. Unfortunately, the country has difficulties on mobilizing the rescue team either because the team lacks funding and training. Most importantly, the floods protection cannot be improved greatly in view of several aspects. As the country is reliant on the government aid and foreign supports, the government has funded the money more on the exports that there are low percentage of the funding left to develop the flood defenses. In addition, the amount of compensations required to recover the damaged areas take up the expenses ready for flood defenses development.
In contrast to Bangladesh, negative impacts given by the floods to the Netherlands are already divergent from the statistics given from the news report. The Rhine Floods in 1995 occurred in the Netherlands have only killed two people in total whereas the flooding in Bangladesh in 1998 have killed 1040 people in total. One of the main reasons for Netherlands having less serious consequences is because of the stability of the housings. Houses in Netherlands are capable to endure at least the minor flood attacks and are not severely damaged during the incidents. Moreover, the Netherlands has an alternative solutions for the lack of water supplies after the flooding from the water and sewage systems. The government has a fair prospective plans and policies set up after flooding such as prohibiting more buildings to build in around the area where flooding is most likely to give effects on. Also, as the country is with the sufficient amount of funds, various systems that prevent and decrease the risks of flooding are developed. For instance, the artificial levees, warning systems, river engineering, dam construction as well as flood defenses systems.
As Bangladesh is a country in debt and have a poor economy, the government cannot build a stable infrastructure and the roads and bridges are destroyed along with it. The financial problems have also affected the communications within the country. The people from in land then will have troubles receiving the warnings beforehand. Furthermore, the people in the country do not have a decent quality of housings and are prone to flood waters. Even after the floods, the country will continuously increase the number of population that is affected by the incidents. As there are so little cooperations between the neighboring countries of Bangladesh politically, the country has low chances of getting supports from foreign countries, which increases the time of recovery. During the time of recovery, Bangladesh will have people rescued and risks reduced. Unfortunately, the country has difficulties on mobilizing the rescue team either because the team lacks funding and training. Most importantly, the floods protection cannot be improved greatly in view of several aspects. As the country is reliant on the government aid and foreign supports, the government has funded the money more on the exports that there are low percentage of the funding left to develop the flood defenses. In addition, the amount of compensations required to recover the damaged areas take up the expenses ready for flood defenses development.
In contrast to Bangladesh, negative impacts given by the floods to the Netherlands are already divergent from the statistics given from the news report. The Rhine Floods in 1995 occurred in the Netherlands have only killed two people in total whereas the flooding in Bangladesh in 1998 have killed 1040 people in total. One of the main reasons for Netherlands having less serious consequences is because of the stability of the housings. Houses in Netherlands are capable to endure at least the minor flood attacks and are not severely damaged during the incidents. Moreover, the Netherlands has an alternative solutions for the lack of water supplies after the flooding from the water and sewage systems. The government has a fair prospective plans and policies set up after flooding such as prohibiting more buildings to build in around the area where flooding is most likely to give effects on. Also, as the country is with the sufficient amount of funds, various systems that prevent and decrease the risks of flooding are developed. For instance, the artificial levees, warning systems, river engineering, dam construction as well as flood defenses systems.
Impacts of Flooding
Following the information regarding MEDCs and LEDCs, we see that the economic development of both countries has also had an impact on their ability to recover from a flood disaster. From news reports of both countries, it is evident that Bangladesh's economic is growing increasingly weak, and costs for repairs are sky-rocketing following each consecutive flooding incident. This shows how the country is becoming increasingly poor, and also further exemplifies the damage floods have caused to the country. The Netherlands, however, have managed to cope with such floods, and after implementing new state-of-the-art flood control technology, they have been able to cope with the floods quite well. There have not been any major flooding incidents in the country since 2007, showing how the country has been able to recover and cope from incidents, due to its high economic and technological advancements.
From both countries, we see that the changes in flood incidents over the years have strongly reflected upon their ability to cope. While there have been minimal major flood incidents in the Netherlands towards 2010, flooding accidents have still been evident in Bangladesh in 2012. This shows that Bangladesh has not been able to do anything about such floods, and the country is constantly struggling. As a result, the great contrast in flooding incidents shows that the Netherlands is more capable of coping with floods compared to Bangladesh.
From both countries, we see that the changes in flood incidents over the years have strongly reflected upon their ability to cope. While there have been minimal major flood incidents in the Netherlands towards 2010, flooding accidents have still been evident in Bangladesh in 2012. This shows that Bangladesh has not been able to do anything about such floods, and the country is constantly struggling. As a result, the great contrast in flooding incidents shows that the Netherlands is more capable of coping with floods compared to Bangladesh.
From the information that we have been given, we see that the Netherlands seems to be more capable of coping with floods compared to Bangladesh. This is mainly due to the fact it is more economically developed (MEDC), it has better flood control technology, and it is more capable of recovering from such disasters. Bangladesh, on the other hand, is heavily affected both by human causes but also natural causes. The fact it is unable to manage its flood control infrastructures properly, and has not been able to recover from continuous flooding incidents show how great of an impact such hazards have caused to its economy and society. Through this, we have came to see the great differences between MEDCs and LEDCs, and now such countries are more (or less) able to adapt to such natural disasters compared to other countries.