Dynamic flood warning system: An integrated approach to disaster mitigation in Bangladesh
Farah Aziz project researcher Asian Center for Research on Remote Sensing (ACRoRS) School of Advanced Technologies Email address: faziz_ait@yahoo.com Phone no.: 66-2-524-8126 Dr.Nitin Kumar Tripathi, Dr. Ole Mark, Dr. Michiro Kusanagi
Introduction
Floods are the major disaster affecting many countries in the world year after year. It is an inevitable natural phenomenon occurring from time to time in all rivers and natural drainage systems (Figure 1). It causes damage to lives, natural resources and environment as well as the loss of economy and health. The impact of floods has been increased due to a number of factors, with rising sea levels and increased development on flood plain.  Figure.1: Flood-a disaster of catastrophic dimension in Bangladesh Problem Overview Mitigation is the cornerstone of emergency management. It's the ongoing effort to lessen the impact; disasters have on people and property. The non-structural methods of mitigation of flood hazards are less expensive as compared to structural ones (dams and dikes). Among non-structural methods, modern flood forecasting and real-time data collection systems have grown favor in countries prone to flood hazards. Development of Decision Support System for flood risk assessment is vital in flood forecasting and warning for administrative machinery involved in rescue and evacuation work. The importance of the flood forecasting and warning is widely recognized as a vital non-structural measures to aid the mitigating- the loss of life, crops and property caused by the annual flood occurrence. Preparedness provides leadership, training, readiness and exercise support, and technical and financial assistance to strengthen citizens, communities, State, local and Tribal governments, and professional emergency workers as they prepare for disasters, mitigate the effects of disasters, respond to community needs after a disaster, and launch effective recovery efforts.
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