JICA Baseline Study for Dhaka 


Location

Grteater Dhaka, Bangladesh

 

Type of Project

Flood Control

 

Period of Study

December, 1999 to March, 2000

 

Client

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)



Description

After the devastating flood of 1988, a comprehensive study in the name of Flood Action Plan (FAP) was launched. In support of the Government’s flood action programme, both the Government of Japan and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) agreed to provide assistance for the Dhaka Town Protection component, FAP-8. This was a two part coordinated action plan, viz:

 

  • FAP 8A – Master Plan Study for Greater Dhaka, Tongi, Savar, Keraniganj and Narayanganj (carried out by JICA), and
  • FAP 8B – Dhaka Integrated Flood Protection Project (DIFPP), which has the objective of identifying drainage, flood protection and complementary environmental improvement projects, and preparing feasibility studies for the immediate investment needs in the Greater Dhaka.

Under Phase-I of the DIFPP, construction of the Dhaka Western embankment was completed in 1997. That is why the western part of the Dhaka City was flood-free during the 1998 flood. After the flood, the Government of Bangladesh decided to construct the Dhaka Eastern embankment presently. Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) prepared a TOR for construction of the Eastern embankment and a Bypass. The preferred option combined construction of the embankment by the right side of the Balu River, and a low-level Bypass through the Dhaka eastern floodplain area.

In 1999, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) intended to acquire baseline information on the status of propositions made under FAP 8 studies and the implementation made during the period 1991-2000. SWMC was entrusted to conduct a study for the baseline information survey for Dhaka City and its adjoining areas, with special reference to the Dhaka East areas. The main objective of this study was for a baseline assessment of the hydrological, morphological and demographic changes that have taken place in the project area after the assessment made in 1991 by JICA during the FAP 8A study.

The study provided the following outputs:

  • Representation of trend of water level, discharge, rainfall and groundwater level before and after 1991
  • Representation of changes in topography of the peripheral rivers around the Greater Dhaka after 1991
  • Representation of trend of urbanisation of Dhaka City after 1991
  • Assessment of change in topography of a sample area after 1991
  • Representation of 1988 and 1998 flooding in and around the Greater Dhaka using hydrodynamic model and GIS
  • Simulation of Dissolved oxygen (DO) levels in the peripheral rivers around the Greater Dhaka for the dry periods of 1990 and 1999 using water quality model
  • Assessment of groundwater levels for 1991 and 1999 in and around the Greater Dhaka.