Villages faded in harsh weather: A harsh test of life and livelihood
Sadia Sultana Rimi
The ravages of nature are gradually becoming an integral part of rural life. Unexpected storms, untimely rains, severe droughts or floods – these hostile weather conditions are constantly attacking the hearts of peaceful villages, taking away the normal life and livelihood of the people there. In the context of Bangladesh, where the majority of the economy is still dependent on agriculture, these natural disasters pose a severe test to the rural population. These adverse conditions not only disrupt daily life, but also have a far-reaching impact on the structure, culture and mentality of rural society.
The village's narrow roads become muddy in the monsoon, communication systems collapse. It becomes difficult to go to the city or market in case of emergency, and access to education and healthcare is limited. The golden crops in the fields are submerged in the flood water in the blink of an eye, and the farmer's year-long dreams are shattered. In the storm, mud houses are destroyed, trees are uprooted, electricity is cut off and villages are plunged into darkness. In severe drought, the land becomes barren, crop seedlings dry up due to lack of water, and cattle lose their source of food and drink. As ponds and water bodies dry up, there is also a shortage of water for daily use, which brings extreme suffering to rural women, because the responsibility of collecting water usually falls on them.
The biggest victim of this adverse weather is the rural economy. Families dependent on agriculture are in dire straits. On the one hand, due to crop failure, food shortages arise, and on the other hand, income sources are also cut off. Small and marginal farmers are caught in a debt trap, and exploitation by moneylenders increases. Daily wage earners who earn their living by working on other people's land also lose their jobs and become disoriented. Construction workers and people engaged in other informal professions also become unemployed due to adverse weather. There are fewer buyers in rural markets, and trade and commerce stagnate. Local small traders are at risk of losing their capital. Driven by poverty, many families struggle to meet their daily needs, and even stop sending their children to school.
Not only the economy, but adverse weather conditions also have a serious impact on rural public health. Floods and rains lead to a lack of clean water, which increases the incidence of water-borne diseases. Diseases such as diarrhea, cholera, and typhoid can spread in epidemics. Damaged houses create unsanitary conditions, which spread various infectious diseases. Increased mosquito infestation increases the risk of malaria and dengue. Severe cold in winter and unbearable heat in summer cause hardship for the elderly and children, leading to problems such as respiratory problems and heatstroke. Inadequate health care adds to the suffering of rural people, as many villages lack access to advanced medical care and travel becomes more difficult during disasters.
However, even in these difficult circumstances of hostile weather, the lives of rural people do not stop. They fight against adversity, stand by each other. During floods, neighbors come together to shelter the victims, provide food and clothing. They travel from one village to another by making bamboo rafts on their own initiative. After crop failure, they try to turn around anew, looking for alternative livelihoods - some may start raising poultry, some take up cottage industry. Their resilience and unity have sustained rural life to this day. The tradition of mutual help and compassion in rural culture becomes even more evident during this disaster.
But the collective efforts of rural people alone are not enough. A coordinated and long-term plan is needed to address this growing challenge of adverse weather conditions. Effective steps must be taken at the national and international levels to reduce the impact of climate change. It is essential to formulate and implement strict policies to reduce carbon emissions and protect the environment. Rural infrastructure development, such as building sustainable roads, building flood control dams, improving sewage systems and ensuring electricity supply, is necessary. Provision of improved seeds, training on modern farming methods, agricultural insurance and easy-to-use loans for farmers must be provided. Disaster forecasting systems must be improved and relief and rehabilitation activities during disasters must be further strengthened. It is essential to quickly provide food, water, medicine and temporary shelter to the affected.
In addition, education and training should be provided to increase awareness among rural people and enhance their adaptive capacity. They should be informed about the impacts of climate change and given knowledge on how to adapt to it. Technical training and support for small businesses can be provided to achieve alternative livelihoods. Emphasis should also be placed on finding sustainable disaster-resilient solutions by utilizing local traditions and knowledge.
To stabilize and enrich rural life while coping with the shock of adverse weather conditions, it is essential to emphasize nature-friendly development and environmental protection. Steps such as tree plantation, water conservation, and reducing the use of chemical fertilizers can bring long-term benefits. Only if the lives and livelihoods of rural people can be ensured can a strong and prosperous Bangladesh be built. The greatest hope of the time is that rural life should return to its normal rhythm by overcoming the vagaries of nature. May this disaster identify the weaknesses of rural society and inspire a collective effort to build a better and disaster-tolerant rural life. May the pulse of rural life not be silenced by the monstrous nature, but rather become stronger and move forward towards the future – this is desirable.
The writer is a student at Mathematics Department ,Jagannath University
