Experts at a discussion here yesterday stated that massive siltation of the Padma river and its tributaries have triggered the flood tendency during the monsoon in the region. Terming the monsoon flood as the main natural calamity in the region they said many people become victim of the disaster every year. To overcome the problem, they suggested dredging of the river and its connected tributaries along with massive afforestation to resist the drought weather and storm in the region, particularly in its vast tract of Barind area. District Disaster Management Committee hosted the discussion at the conference hall of Deputy Commissioner in observance of the National Disaster Preparedness Day-2009. The main theme of the day was "Conscious women and proper information can enhance disaster preparedness". District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer Saiduzzaman was the keynote speaker of the discussion. With Additional De-puty Commissioner (General) Abdul Barik in the chair, the meeting was addressed, among others, by Principal of Rajshahi Court College Professor Shafiqur Rahman, Dr Habiba Khanom of Civil Surgeon Office, NGO leader Afzal Hossain, Girl Guide leader Mamtaj Jahan Begum and Derik Harsha Bishwash. Referring to various manmade and natural interventions they said people of the region have started facing different catastrophes like flood, drought and desertification and diseases due to climate change and ecological imbalance. Teachers of different schools and colleges, NGO activists and the government officials concerned attended the meeting and also put forward a set of recommendations in this regard.