Monpura Island after cyclone and storm surge

Cyclone Disaster Preparedness and Response: Experiences from the Coastal

Region of Bangladesh

A Q M Mahbub

Department of Geography and EnvironmentUniversity of Dhaka, Bangladesh

Objectives

The major objectives of this paper are

• background and magnitude of cyclone disaster;

• highlights of the best practice model to deal with cyclone disaster preparedness and responses in the coastal region; and

• focus the present and future challenges to cope with this natural hazard in Bangladesh.

Methodology

The paper is mainly based on:

• Information from secondary sources; • Field observations and researches;• Lessons learned from local people; and• Experiences and interactions with a wide variety

of people and professionals.

Bangladesh: Regional setting

South Asia Relief and physical settings

Plate tectonic map

Table: 2 Major Geographical Characteristics Linked to Coastal Hazards in Bangladesh

Geographical Characteristics Cyclone Storm surge

Tsunami Earthquake

Flood Riverbank

erosion

Sea level rise

Tropical location • • • •

Hot and humid climate • • •

Monsoon climate • • • •

Riverine country • • • • •

Very flat terrain • • • • •

Deltaic location • • • • • •

Funnel shaped coast • • • • •

Long, broken and open coast • • • •

Bounded by plates border • •

Hilly regions • • • • •

Dense settlements • • • • • • •

Agrarian country • • • • •

Mangrove forest • • •

Wetlands (mainly haors) • • •

Long and wide continental shelf • • • • •

Relative Vulnerability cyclones, 1980 - 2000

Average population exposed to cyclones (millions of people)

Ave

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tails

Source : The EM-DAT OFDA/ CRED International Disaster Database and UNEP/GRED - Geneva

Major cyclone tracks

Table 3 Impact of Cyclones and Storm Surges

Type of Impact

Components Indicators

Physical Impact Inadequate physical protection; poor-quality housing and infrastructure; disruptions of communication and utility services

High death tolls; damage/loss physical properties like infrastructure, homes, industry, animal, crops etc.; disruption of normal life, migration to safe places.

Economic Impact Loss of livelihood and income opportunities; loss of assets and savings; need for recurrent aid

Low income, poverty, unemployment, landlessness, unequal land distribution, relief and rehabilitation, reduction of GDP and outbreak of migration

Agricultural Impact

Land degradation, Intrusion of salt water and shrimp cultivation, increasing seasonal fallows, decreasing yield,

Low productivity, frequent crop loss, outbreak of migration among the small farmers and farm labourers.

Social Impact Disintegration of social organization, incidence of female headed households and resource poor communities, poor education services.

Social/ethnic crisis; social marginalization; apathy attitude; identity crisis; social violence and crime, plight of people for safety and survival

Environmental Impact

Land and environmental degradation; deforestation, loss of bio-diversity and marine resources, increase salinity, intrusion of salt water, water logging, increase risk of hazard,

Deforestation; loss of soil fertility; limiting biodiversity; increase refugees, migrants, and homelessness, and rising disaster related deaths.

Health and sanitation impact

Disruptions of health care and utility services, inadequate sanitation, lack of qualified physician and clinical services.

Increase mortality and morbidity; poor health and malnutrition; disease epidemics.

CPP: A model for cyclone preparedness and response

Goal and objectives of CPPGoal to minimise loss of lives and properties

Objectives• To develop and strengthen the disaster

preparedness and response capacity of coastal communities.

• To increase the efficiency of volunteers and officials.

• To maintain and strengthen the CPP warning system and ensure effective response in the event of a cyclone.

Major Activities of CPP

• To disseminate cyclone warning signals to the community people.

• To assist people to evacuate and take safe shelter.

• To rescue distressed people affected by cyclone.

• To provide First Aid to the injured people.• To assist in relief and rehabilitation operations.

• To assist in the implementation of the BDRCS Disaster Preparedness Plan.

• To assist in participatory community capacity build-up activities.

• To assist in the co-ordination of disaster management and development activities.

CPP organogram

CPP village unit

A volunteer with a siren in the field

A volunteer with a megaphone

CPP introduced flags

Telecommunication network

Core house: protection from stormy wind

Protection of salt in the field

Life saving raft for fishermen in the sea

Concluding Remarks

• Develop and implement adequate & appropriate mitigation measures

• Improve and adopt coping mechanisms;

• Strengthening the capacity building to protect from disaster;

• Built disaster friendly and sustainable infrastructure;

• Helping the poorest and the most vulnerable people to adopt and protect;

• Facilitate international exchanges, cooperation & research activities; and

• Strengthening philanthropic attitudes and approaches.

Thank you