The biggest problem for sustainable development in Bangladesh now is climate change, Water Resources Minister Anisul Islam Mahmud said today.

"Whatever we do, unless we prepare ourselves to tackle climate change, it is not going to work," he said referring to Sylhet region's flash flood this year that damaged crops and livestock worth Tk 4.5 billion.

Besides, the flooding too caused colossal damages, he added.

This year's rainy season was very long -- from March to late October – making clear the impacts of climate change that is causing erratic rainfall, Mahmud said at a workshop organised by BRAC at its auditorium in Dhaka.

One of the solutions to such erratic rainfall is to develop new cropping pattern, Anisul Islam Mahmud said.

"These signs of climate are worrisome. We need greater cooperation within the government and non-government sectors as well as regional countries to tackle climate change." Anisul added.