Flood is a regular natural
disaster occurring in Bangladesh and thus entailing huge damage to the economy.
On average, approximately one quarter of the country is inundated. Once in
every 4-5 years, however there is a severe flood that may cover over 60% of the
country and cause loss of life and substantial damage to infrastructure,
housing, agriculture and livelihoods. In the last 25 years, Bangladesh has
experienced five severe floods (Table 2.1), the most damaging one being in 1998
covering more than two-thirds area of the country.