BANGLADESH

Bangladesh is a heavily populated nation in South Asia that is bounded to the west, north, and
east by India, to the southeast by Myanmar, and to the south by the Bay of Bengal.
Approximately 147,570 square kilometers make up this country, which is among the most
densely populated in the world.
Bangladesh is a majority Muslim nation with a population of some 154 million people. This
volume accounts for the political and economic experiences of the Bangladeshi state and its
people, identifying the key players among Bangladesh's tiny military, political, and business
elite. (Zaman)
Bangladesh is the seventh most populated country in the world with a population of more than
165 million according to the most recent estimates. Agriculture is the main industry in the bulk
of the population's rural areas. Many people in the nation are under 25, making up a sizable share
of the young population.
Bangladesh's vast river network, which includes the Ganges (Padma), Brahmaputra (Jamuna),
and Meghna rivers, is what defines it geographically and is essential to the country's geography,
culture, and economics. The climate of the nation is tropical monsoon, with hot, muggy summers
and moderate winters.
Bangladesh's economy has grown rapidly, mostly due to its ready-made clothing industry and its
agricultural industries, which include fisheries, rice, and jute. Its economy is further diversified
by recent developments in medicines, information technology, and international remittances.
Bangladesh exhibits resilience and is dedicated to progress in the face of obstacles like poverty,
poor infrastructure, and environmental concerns.

Bangladesh is widely known as a land of natural disasters and is highly vulnerable to flood,
cyclone and river erosion. By the effects of these disasters the country is now permanently in
distress. These disasters have become a regular phenomenon and cause suffering to millions of
people of the country since many decades. Besides, it also focuses on policy options concerning
disaster management. (Karim)

Natural Catastrophes:
Flooding:
Dangers: Bangladesh's enormous river systems, including the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and
Meghna, with its monsoon climate cause flooding every year. Situations are made worse by Bay
of Bengal cyclones.
Risk: Flooding can occur throughout over two-thirds of the nation's territory, affecting millions
of people and seriously harming infrastructure, houses, and agriculture.
Vulnerability is increased by socioeconomic reasons, insufficient flood control methods, and the
heavily populated deltaic plains.
Cyclones:
hazards: Cyclones inflict significant damage to coastal areas due to their powerful winds, storm
surges, and heavy rainfall.
Risk: Because of their vulnerability to cyclonic activity, coastal regions—particularly the
Sundarbans mangrove forest area—are especially vulnerable.
Vulnerability is increased by inadequate infrastructure, a dearth of early warning systems, and a
scarcity of funding for cyclone shelters.
Risks Associated with Riverbank Erosion: Agricultural areas are destroyed, communities are
uprooted, and river channels are altered.
Risk: Because of erosion, many riverine populations run the risk of losing their houses and
means of subsistence.
Susceptibility: Upstream deforestation and haphazard human settlements along riverbanks
increase susceptibility.
Droughts:
Risks: Prolonged dry spells cause water scarcity, which has an impact on drinking water supplies
and agriculture.
Droughts pose a greater risk in Bangladesh's northwest and northwestern regions.
Vulnerability is increased by over-extraction of groundwater, poor irrigation systems, and
reliance on monsoon rains for agriculture.

The coastal region of Bangladesh, which is formed out of the process of sedimentation by the
gigantic river systems of the Ganges, the Brahmaputra, and the Meghna (GBM), particularly
vulnerable to cyclonic storm surge floods due to its location in the path of tropical cyclones, wide
and shallow continental shelf and the funnelling shape of the coast [12], [13], [47]. The country
has experienced 36 cyclonic storms since 1970 resulting on over 450,000 deaths and
immeasurable economic losses [59]. The country was struck by 154 cyclones (including 43
severe cyclonic storms, 43 cyclonic storms, 68 tropical depressions) during 1877–1995. Since
1995, five severe cyclones hit Bangladesh coast in May 1997, September 1997, May 1998,
November 2007 and May 2009 [12], [13], [30]. A severe cyclone strikes Bangladesh every three
years on average [14], [58]. Moreover, the frequency of natural disasters like floods, cyclones
etc. have increased significantly over the last decades particularly in the coastal line of
Bangladesh which is asserted as the impact of climate change [23], [43], [53]. The tropical
cyclones, storm surges and severe floods are likely to become more frequent and severe in the
future as a result of climate change, making Bangladesh even more vulnerable [19], [20].
According to Wisner et al. [62], hazard a dangerous phenomenon, substance, human activity or
condition that may cause loss of life, injury or other health impacts, property damage, loss of
livelihoods and services, social and economic disruption, or environmental damage. (Hossain)
MANMADE
Industrial Accidents:
Dangers: Workers and the surrounding populations are at risk from incidents such as fires,
explosions, and chemical leaks in factories.
Risk: A number of accidents have occurred in industrial areas, particularly those around Dhaka
and Chittagong, as a result of lax safety regulations.
Vulnerability: This is caused in part by fast industrialization, inadequate safety rules, and a lack
of enforcement.
City Fires:
Risks: Gas leaks, electrical problems, and combustible materials can all result in fires in urban
environments, especially in slums and crowded marketplaces.
Risk: Fire events are common in densely populated cities like Dhaka, resulting in property
damage and fatalities.
Vulnerability is increased by crowded conditions, shoddy building construction, and insufficient
fire safety precautions.

Political instability and civil upheaval:

Risks: Violent protests, strikes, and political unrest interfere with daily life and corporate
activities.
Risk: Occasionally, political upheaval can cause economic recessions and have an impact on
foreign investment.
Vulnerability is a result of a divided political environment, unsolved socio economic problems,
and inadequate governance.
Environmental Deterioration:
Risks: Pollution, soil erosion, and deforestation deteriorate the environment, posing a threat to
ecosystems and public health.
problems include decreased agricultural output, health problems, and biodiversity loss.
Vulnerability: Population pressure, unsustainable land use, and a lack of environmental
knowledge all contribute to vulnerability.

EXISTING DISASTERS RESPONSE PLANS

National Level: With the creation of the National Disaster Management Policy and the Disaster
Management Act in 2012, Bangladesh has made notable progress in disaster management at the
national level. Coordinating with many stakeholders, the Ministry of Disaster Management and
Relief (MoDMR) is in charge of managing disaster relief efforts.

State Level: The Disaster Management Committees of each state are in charge of carrying out
emergency action plans that are customized to address particular local vulnerabilities. These
committees cooperate with local governments and communities while operating under the
direction of the MoDMR.
Local Level: To guarantee readiness and response at the grassroots level, districts and
subdistricts create Local Disaster Management Committees (DMCs). These committees promote
early warning systems, hold training sessions, and interact with the community.

Steps for Forecasting and Mitigation:

Reduction Measures:
The goal of community-based disaster risk reduction, or CBDRR, is to involve local
communities in risk identification, mitigation planning, and resilience development.
Infrastructure development lowers the risk of flooding by building cyclone shelters, fortifying
river embankments, and enhancing drainage systems.
Systems of Warning and Forecasting:
Early Warning Systems: In order to prepare for cyclones, floods, and other natural disasters, the
Department of Disaster Management (DDM) and the Bangladesh Meteorological Department
(BMD) have set up early warning systems.
The government and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) support the community-based
Cyclone Preparedness Program (CPP), which aims to communicate cyclone warnings and enable
evacuations.
Motives and Possible Course of Action: Despite best efforts, there are obstacles to the successful
implementation and upkeep of disaster response and mitigation plans.

Restricted Resources: Effective disaster response is hampered by a lack of equipment, skilled

staff, and funds.
Infrastructure Shortages: Poor infrastructure makes it more difficult to deliver relief and rescue
efforts in a timely manner, especially in remote areas.
Possible Schemes:

Building capacity involves improving disaster management staff and community volunteer
training programs to increase response times.
Public-Private Partnerships: Working together with the private sector to construct infrastructure,
embrace new technologies, and mobilize resources.
Awareness and Education: To promote a culture of safety and resilience, public awareness
programs on disaster preparedness, mitigation, and response should be launched.

Bangladesh has implemented strategies at the national, state, and municipal levels, indicating
advancements in disaster management. Nonetheless, ongoing efforts are required to close current
gaps, strengthen mitigation strategies, and strengthen response capacities. Through investments
in infrastructure development, public awareness campaigns, and capacity building, Bangladesh
can enhance its ability to withstand natural disasters and safeguard the lives and livelihoods of its
citizens.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Karim, Nehal. “Disasters in Bangladesh.” Natural Hazards, vol. 11, no. 3, May 1995, pp.

247–58, doi:10.1007/bf00613409.
Hossain, Md. Nazir. “Analysis of Human Vulnerability to Cyclones and Storm Surges Based on

Influencing Physical and Socioeconomic Factors: Evidences From Coastal Bangladesh.”

International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, vol. 13, Sept. 2015, pp. 66–75,

doi:10.1016/j.ijdrr.2015.04.003.

Zaman, Muhammad. “Vulnerability, Disaster, and Survival in Bangladesh.” Routledge eBooks,

2019, pp. 162–77, doi:10.4324/9781315298917-21.