BNUS ANNUAL REPORT-2008

BANGLADESH
NETWORK OFFICE FORURBANSAFETY

BUET, DHAKA, BANGLADESH
Prepared by:Mehedi Ahmed Ansary
Afifa Imtiaz

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CONTENTS
PART-I:

POST DISASTER SURVEY SIDR (NOV 15, 2007) ··························

1

PART-II: RAIN INDUCED HILL-SLOPE EROSION/ LANDSLIDE AND
PROBABLE CONTROL MEASURE IN CHITTAGONG HILLY
AREAS································································································ 55
PART-III: MACROSEISMIC SURVEY OF TWO RECENT EARTHQUAKES(RAJSHAHI & MYMENSINGH) ······················································· 79
PART-IV: TRAINING PROGRAM FOR MASONS:HOW TO BUILD EARTHQUAKE RESISTANT BUILDINGS ········ 103
PART-V: STRONG MOTION MONITORING SYSTEM IN BANGLADESH(MAR 2008 - FEB 2009)····································································· 111
PART-VI: RETHINKING THE PUBLIC BUILDING AS POST DISASTERSHELTER: IN THE CONTEXT OF OLD DHAKA···························· 139
PART-VII:EARTHQUAKE VULNERABILITY REDUCTION STRATEGIESFOR UNPLANNED URBAN AREAS ················································ 1553

PART-I
POST DISASTER SURVEY SIDR(NOV 15, 2007)

BANGLADESH NETWORK OFFICE FORURBAN SAFETY (BNUS), BUET, DHAKA

Prepared by: Afifa Imtiaz
Mehedi Ahmed Ansary5ICUS Report 33

ABSTRACT

Bangladesh is prone to several natural disasters such as floods, cyclone, landslide,earthquake etc. while the Southern coasts are prone to severe cyclones. One of therecent major events is the super cyclone SIDR. This was a category 4 storm thatreached the coast on the night of 15 November 2007 causing a severe damage over
several south western coastal districts and central areas of Bangladesh. The
accompanying storm surge reached maximum heights of about 10 meters in certain
areas, breaching the coastal and river embankments, flooding low lying lands andcausing extensive physical destruction. The cyclone’s winds of up to 220 kilometers
per hour caused further destruction to buildings and uprooting of trees that in turndestroyed housing and other infrastructure inland. According to the Government
reports Bagerhat, Barguna, Patuakhali and Pirojpur have been classified as ‘worst’affected and eight Khulna, Madaripur, Sariatpur, Barisal, Bhola, Satkhira, Jhalakathi
and Gopalganj have been classified as ‘badly’ affected out of the total 30 affecteddistricts (Figure 1). Total damage has been estimated to be 1.6 billion US dollars. To
perform a survey on the post disaster situation and activities and to collect the
finalized damage assessment information a team from Bangladesh Network Office for
Urban Safety (BNUS), Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology(BUET) visited two worst affected Districts Patuakhali and Barguna (Figure 1) fromMay 5 to May 12, 2008. Afterwards BNUS Continues Interview Survey to selectedauthorities and policy makers in Dhaka regarding Cyclone SIDR Management andStanding Order of Disasters (SoD) for Bangladesh. This report provides the detailed
description of the survey.

INTRODUCTION

An ideal Disaster Management System needs to support the activities related to thevarious phases of disaster management including the pre-disaster planning, warningand emergency relief and post-disaster recovery. Having been accustomed to a long
history of fighting with cyclones, Bangladesh still suffers from the deadly affect ofsuch events like SIDR. The improved Early Warning as well as the Warning
Dissemination System along with cyclone preparedness programs could save loss of
lives significantly. But the death toll over 3406 and massive destruction due to SIDR
indicates that there needs improvements or modifications in the coping mechanism.
Thus the principle objective of this work is to address the entire cyclone management
system and to elaborate the damage and vulnerability assessment of the affected
communities based on two particular case studies, Barguna and Patuakhali. Since, theStanding Order of Disasters (SOD) is the basic tool that is supposed to be followed for
guiding the disaster management activities for the concerned authorities, now it ishigh time to analyze on the role of SOD. It should be assessed that in present times
how functional the SOD is and what kind of modifications are needed in the existing
SOD for better guidance in disaster action plans. BNUS performed interview survey
from November 26 to December 07, 2008, in Dhaka on the role of Standing Orders ofDisaster (SoD) of Bangladesh and the Cyclone SIDR Management Operations. Theinterviews were conducted to the policy makers and personnel associated withcyclone management activities in some organizations such as Disaster Management
Bureau (DMB), Directorate of Relief and Rehabilitation (DRR), Bangladesh Red
Crecent Society (BDRCS), Cyclone Preparedness Programme (CPP), Comprehensive
Disaster Management Programme (CDMP). The interview surveys in Dhaka were
performed jointly with Taiki KOU, an undergraduate student of Meguro Lab, doing a
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study on "Disaster Management Operation by the governments in case of Cyclone
SIDR in Bangladesh”, from the Department of Urban Earthquake Disaster Mitigation
Engineering, International Center for Urban Safety Engineering (ICUS), The
University of Tokyo. Through the interviews discussions were held on various issues
such as Historical Changes of Disaster Management Plan and SoD in Bangladesh,
Cyclone Management Operations’ Flow of Ministry of Food and Disaster
Management, Information Flow and Sharing, Maintenance of Logistics, Efficiency ofCluster approach during the disaster stage, Current Action Plans, CPP and BDRCS
Activities, Relief Works, Plans and Activities regarding Cyclone Shelters and so on.

OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

The principle objectives of this Case Study Survey are as follows: To visit Two Worst Affected Areas by SIDR : Patuakhali & Barguna
 To collect Damage Data of the areas
 To share experience of the Local Responsible Authorities in Cyclone
Management
 To have a look on the Key-Roles played by the Local Authorities and comparewith the Standing Order on Disaster, Bangladesh
 To collect information on Roles played by the Non Govt. Organizations
 To perform survey on Local People on Overall Disaster Situation
 To visit Cyclone Shelters and Killas
 To share the experience of authorities involved in SIDR management in Dhaka,to link up the information sharing and work flow network and to analyze therole of SoD in overall Disaster Management.

VISITED AUTHORITIESThe survey in the affected areas was conducted by interviewing the following key
personnel and also by visiting their respective offices for which they are considered tobe the responsible representatives: Deputy Commissioner (DC) Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) District Relief & Rehabilitation Officer (DRRO) Executive Engineer, Water Development Board (WDB) Executive Engineer, Local Govt. Engineering Department (LGED) Assistant Engineer (WDB) Assistant Engineer (LGED) Upazila Engineer
 Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS)
 Cyclone Preparedness Program (CPP)The interview surveys conducted in Dhaka incorporated the following personnel
 Professor Jamilur R. Choudhury, Vice Chancellor, BRAC University
 Director (Admin), Disaster Management Bureau (DMB) Director, Directorate of Relief and Rehabilitation (DRR)
 Communication Media Specialist, Disaster Management Bureau (DMB) Deputy Director, Cyclone Preparedness Program (CPP) Deputy Chief Coordinator, Cyclone SIDR, Bangladesh red Crescent Society(BDRCS) Shelter Coordinator, Cyclone SIDR Operation, BDRCS
 Relief Coordinator, Cyclone SIDR Operation, BDRCS
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 Monitoring & Evaluation Expert, Comprehensive Disaster Management
Programme (CDMP)

Figure 1: Visited Most Affected Districts(Source: Ministry of Food and Disaster Management (MoFDM) Relief Control Cell (RCC); Date: November 29,
2007)

Figure 1: Damage by Cyclone SIDR

THE CYCLONE SIDRThe Super Cyclone ‘SIDR’ was first observed on 9 November 2007 near the southeastof the Andaman Islands with a weak low-level circulation near the Nicobar Islands. It
showed indication of the formation of a tropical cyclone on 11 November while
located a short distance south of the Andaman Islands. On 13 November, thedepression turned into a cyclonic storm with a core of hurricane force winds. It moved
northwards and was centred at 9 p.m. on 14 November 2007 about 670 km South ofMongla port. Cyclone SIDR hit Bangladesh’s offshore islands at approximately 18:30
hours on the evening of 15 November and made landfall across the Barisal coast at
21:00 hours local time during ebb tide. Wind speeds reached up to 240 km per hour
(JTWC) affecting 15 districts with 15 others partly affected. Figure 2 shows the trackof Cyclone.

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Figure 2: Track of Cyclone SIDRWARNING ISSUED & PREPAREDNESSThe cyclone SIDR was monitored from its generation time to progress towards
Bangladesh. Technology for monitoring tropical cyclones has significantly improvedin the country over the last decade. Nowadays it is possible to observe cyclones andforecast about their strength and destined landfall. The authorities in Bangladesh first
got news of the impending crisis 72 hours before the category four tropical cyclone,which was then still forming over the Bay of Bengal, made landfall. The World
Meteorological Organization, WMO's global cyclone observatory started feeding data
to its regional outpost at the Indian Meteorological Office in New Delhi, which in turntriggered Bangaldesh's government to sound the alarm [5]. Tropical Cyclone
Formation Alert was issued on November 11 while located a short distance south of
the Andaman Islands. The warning was disseminated by emergency response
authorities in Bangladesh, prompting massive evacuations of the low-lying coastal
areas. When the message was relayed to the local administrations of probable affecteddistricts, a network of 40,000 CPP trained volunteers, were mobilised. They cycledaround the country, using megaphones to order residents into the 1,800 cyclone
shelters and 440 flood shelters. A total of 2 million people were sheltered before thecyclone hit. In spite of the warning, thousands of people were stranded on small andremote islands, with no place to go because of its low elevation above sea level.
However, the early warning system, preparedness and massive evacuations, resulted
in a much lower death toll than that caused by the 1991 cyclone.

OVERVIEW: DAMAGE AND LOSSES

More than 8.9 million people in 1,950 unions of 200 Upazilas under 30 districts wereaffected by Cyclone SIDR. Official reports indicated a total of 3,406 Bangladesh
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nationals perished during this event with 1,001 missing and 55,282 sustained physicaland psychological injuries as a result of the disaster. Total damage is estimated to 2.3
billion US Dollars [3]. Total 3,319 people died in 12 affected districts, which is 97%
of the total death reported as of 21 January 2008. Highest death toll was reported in
Barguna district (1,335) followed by Bagerhat (810),
Patuakhali (457) and Pirojpur (400) [3]. The MoFDM Official report indicates that1.75 million families were affected in 12 districts, which is also 84% of the total
affected families in 30 districts. Over 564,967 houses are fully damaged and 957,110
houses are partially damaged. Bagerhat suffered the most in terms of fully damaged
housing (118,899 houses, 22%), followed by Barguna (95,412), Jhalakathi (69685),
Pirojpur (63,896) and Patuakhali (53,291) [3].
The extensive destruction and resulting social and economic losses are summarized inTable 1to 2 [3], Table 3 and Figure 3 to 5 [3].

Table 1: Summarized information on damage & loss (as of January 21, 2008)10

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Figure 3: No. of people died at worst affected & badly affected districts

Figure 4: No. of people affected at worst affected & badly affected districts

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Figure 5: House damaged at worst affected & badly affected districts
Table 2: Information on damage and loss in Barguna and Patuakhali districts(Source: Ministry of Food and Disaster Managemnet (MoFDM), Relief Control Cell (RCC): Updated on 21
January 2008)

Table 3: Damage and loss summary for Barguna and Patuakhali districts(Information collected from field survey)
Total
Area
(Affected)
Sq. KmTotal
Population(Affected)

Dead(Injured)DamagedHouses(Partial)

Shelters(Used)BARGUNA

1,831.31(1,831.31)

942,083(831,029)

1,345(28,050)

77,754(112,031)

181
(170)

PATUAKHALI

3,225.91(2,845.49)

1,478,269(996,470)467(11,719)

50,237(97,000)

251
(180)

Total
Cattle(Death)Total
Total Carpeted
Total
Total
CroplandRoad
Embankment
Educational(Full+Partiallly (Full+Partiallly (Full+Partiallly
Institute
Damaged)Damaged)Damaged)(Full+Partialllyha
Km
Km
Damaged)BARGUNA

411,946(30,499)

116,685(96,715)397.54(330.38)851(484.68)

1,266(1,235)PATUAKHALI

899,460(31,124)

220,692(188,179.7)

781.41(164.45)762(564.92)

1,630(1,622)12

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A comprehensive analysis undertaken by a team of Bangladesh Government andinternational experts, using state of the art assessment methodologies, estimated thetotal damage and losses caused by the cyclone to be BDT 115.6 billion (equivalent to
US$ 1.7 billion). The effects of Cyclone SIDR are equivalent to 2.8% of Bangladesh’sGDP. The damage and losses were notably concentrated in the private sector, rather
than in the public sector (Figure 6 and 7, Table 4) [2]. This has significant
implications in the strategy that must be adopted for recovery and reconstruction.

Source: Estimates of Joint Assessment Team

Figure 6: Ownership of damage and losses

Figure 7: Damage and losses caused by cyclone SIDR in most affected sectors
Damage and losses were concentrated on the housing sector (57.9 BDT billion, or
50% of the total), productive sectors (33.8 billion or 30%), and on public sector
infrastructure (17.5 billion or 16%). Most affected sectors were, in decreasing order,

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housing, agriculture, transport, water control structures, education and industry(Figure and Table ).

Table 4: Summary of damage and losses (BDT million)

Disaster Effects
Ownership
Damage Losses Total Public Private
Social Sectors
4,482 1,453 5,934 5,485
449
Health and Nutrition
169 1,038 1,206 1,188
18
Education
4,313
415 4,728 4,297
431
Infrastructure
71,064 2,130 73,194 15,758 57,436
Housing
57,91557,91557,915
Transport
8,006 1,725 9,731 8,006 1,725
Electricity
576
359
935
935
Water and Sanitation
157
46
203
203
Urban and Municipal
1,696
1,696 1,696
Water Resource
4,918
4,918 4,918
Productive Sectors
1,734 32,083 33,817
19 33,798
Agriculture
1,472 28,725 30,197
19 30,178
Industry
262 2,035 2,297
2,297
Commerce
1,258 1,258
1,258Tourism
65
65
65
Cross-Cutting Issues
420
0
420
420
0
Environment
420
420
420
TOTAL

79,904 35,665 115,569 21,682 93,888

Source: Estimates by Joint Assessment TeamThe effects of the disaster were highly concentrated in the Districts of Bagherat,
Borguna, Patuakhali, Pirojpur and Barisal, where – according to a 2005 survey ofhousehold data – poverty levels range between 35 to more than 50 per cent of the
population (Figure 8). It is estimated that about 2 million persons have lost income
and employment in the more affected Districts, and that they have seen their income
for this year reduced to about a third of the average.

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Figure 8: Most affected districts in damage and loss Terms [2]SIDR MANAGEMENT BY THE ARMED FORCES DIVISION

Armed Forces Division (AFD) of Bangladesh played a significant role in SIDRManagement. AFD involved its own workforce and logistics in damage assessment
and relief and rehabilitation activities. They immediately launched a massive searchand rescue and early relief operation as well as assisted in the burial of dead bodies
and removal of debris and dead livestock.
The roles played by the AFD were basically as follows [1]:• Maintaining the Standing Order for Disaster Management (SOD)• Delineating the Role and Responsibility of Concerned Agencies• Coordinating the Employment of Armed Forces• Coordinating the Relief Work of Three Services• Identifying the Worst Affected Areas and Setting Priority• Monitoring Air Movement and Collecting Feedback

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There is an established disaster management committee system of the Government of
Bangladesh that involves the National Disaster Council from top to Union Disaster
Management Committee at bottom. AFD followed the national response and recovery
co-ordination system which has been described schematically in Figure 9 [1]:Figure 9: Response and recovery coordination of AFD

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The Damage Statistics provided by AFD have been summarized in Table 5 to
7 [1]:
Table 5: Response and recovery coordination of AFD
DAMAGE STATISTICS
Event

No.

Area
Worst Affected Districts

08

Moderately Affected Districts

07

Less Affected Districts

15

Total Affected Districts

30

Affected Upazilas (Sub-Districts)

200

Affected Unions

1,880 **

Population
Death Toll

3,406 *

Missing873

Wounded55,282Affected People

8.9 Million

Affected Families

20,64026**

Shelter Less Population

1572495**

Properties
Crops Damaged Area

2.47 Million Acres

Loss of Livestock

1.7 Million

Lost Boats And Trawler (Water Crafts)

137**

Infrastructure
Roads/tracks

648 km (Completely)**
88,550km (Partially)**

Affected Educational Institution

16,954

Bridge/Culverts

1654**

Embankment

581 Km **Estimated Damage (In Terms of Money)

2.18 Billion USD

Until 8 April 2008
* Until 31 January 2008** Until 28 December 2007
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Table 6: Comparison of damage
COMPARISON – CYCLONE 1991 AND SIDR 2007
Sl. No.

Event

1991

2007

1.

Death Toll

1,38,882

3,406

2.

Missing

20,000873

3.

Crops Damaged Area

0.35 Million Acres

2.4 Million Acres

4.

Areas Affected

15,000 Sq km

30 Districts

Table 7: Summary of damage assessment (in terms of money)
Remarks
Damage Assessment
Ser Sector
BDT *
US $*
*Million
1.
LGED
4622.774
67.00
2.

WDB

4920.00

71.304

3.

DPHE

186.418

2.701

4.

BRDB

1688.713

24.4745.

358.571

5.197

10420.00

151.011

7.

BREB
ForestEnvironment
Education

4660.1067.537

8.

Health Service

1206.00

17.4789.

Agriculture

56906.00

824.724

10.

Households

47390.55

686.819

11.

Livestock8892.53

128.877

12.

Transport

9731

141.029

6.

Total

and

150982.556* 2188.153*

Death12979

3406, Injured-

2.188
Billion$ ( Approx)

US

Notes: Until Feb 2008
1. Commerce, Tourism and Industrial sectors are not included in the calculation.
2. Calculation depends on updated data.
AFD listed the priority of most affected districts as follows and planned their further
activities based on this list [1]:•••BORGUNAPATUAKHALIBAGERHAT

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•
•
•
•
•

PIROZPURJHALAKATHIBARISALBHOLASHATKHIRAFor recovery and rehabilitation programs, AFD assessed the needs of the communities
based on the severity of damage and losses and giving priority to most vulnerable
groups. The entire supply coordination approach was considered in four stages(Figure 10) based on the needs of the essential and life saving material and services[1].

Figure 10: Need assessment flow
For smooth operation of emergency recovery and responses and post SIDR activities,
AFD emphasized on the restoration of essential services in the affected areas. The
efforts turned into quickest restoration of the services in the most affected areas which
has been presented in Figure 11.

Figure 11: Restoration of services

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For coordinating the relief works AFD worked together with the Coordination
Committee of Government emergency responses. The Post-SIDR Relief Coordination
Centre in Barisal was responsible for coordinating the national relief operations. It
was operational since 17 November 2007. Its functions were to:• Coordinate deployment of relief• Coordinate volunteer efforts• Coordinate information on relief transport (e.g., helipads)• Ensure equitable allocation and distribution of relief material
Figure 12 shows the flow chart of the relief work.

Figure 12: Relief work flow chart
The emergency relief work involved 1,000 Tons of supplies through Air Lift from 16
November 2007 to 12 December 2007 and 10,000 Tons through Sea Lift until 15
January 2008. Rehabilitation programs in different sectors were taken for the affectedareas which involved short or mid term to long term supports. The Long Term
rehabilitation plans involved:• Rehabilitation of the people in their original homes• Construction of Multipurpose Cyclone Shelters• Rehabilitation for farmers and the fishermen• Creating employment opportunities• Reconstruction of embankments

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The rehabilitation in terms of monetary efforts has been shown in Table 8.
Table 8: Rehabilitation Short/Mid/Long terms (monetary)

STANDING ORDERS OF DISASTER (SOD)The Standing Orders have been prepared with the avowed objective of making theconcerned persons understand their duties and responsibilities regarding disastermanagement at all levels, and accomplishing them. According to the SOD, all
Ministries, Divisions/ Departments and Agencies shall prepare their own Action Plans
in respect of their responsibilities under the Standing Orders for efficient
implementation. The National Disaster Management Council (NDMC) and InterMinisterial Disaster Management Coordination Committee (IMDMCC) areresponsible to ensure coordination of disaster related activities at the National level[4]. Coordination at district, Upazila and union levels are supposed to be done by therespective District, Upazila and Union Disaster Management Committees. The
Disaster Management Bureau is responsible for rendering all assistance to them byfacilitating the process.
The SOD suggests the Ministries, Divisions/Departments and Agencies to organize
proper training of their officers and staff employed at District, Upazila, Union andvillage levels according to their own Action plans so that they can help in rescue,evacuation and relief work at different stages of a disaster. The local authority shallarrange preparedness for emergency steps to meet the disaster and to mitigate distresswithout waiting for government help. The Standing Orders shall be followed during
Normal times, Precautionary and Warning stage, Disaster stage and Post-disasterstage. There are definitions of these terms in the SOD which are described as follows
for better understanding:(i) Disaster: An event, natural or man-made, sudden or progressive, that seriously
disrupts the functioning of a society, causing human, material, or environmental
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losses of such severity that the affected community has to respond by taking
exceptional measures. The disruption (including essential services and means of
livelihood) is on a scale that exceeds the ability of the affected society to cope withusing only its own resources.
(ii) Disaster Management: Disaster management includes all aspects of planning ofand responding to disasters. It refers to the management of both the risks and theconsequences of disasters, and includes both prevention and preparedness measurestaken in disaster-prone areas in anticipation of the known hazards – often referred toas “pre-disaster” and long-term rehabilitation (sometimes referred to as“reconstruction”).
(iii) Normal Phase (Normal Time): A period when there is no immediate threat but
long-term actions are required in anticipation of the impact, at some unknown time in
the future, of known hazards.
(iv) Alert and Warning Phase: The period from the issuing of an alert or public
warning of an imminent disaster threat to its actual impact, or the passage of the threat
and the lifting of the warning. It is the period during which pre-impact precautionary,or disaster containment measures are taken.
(v) Disaster Phase: The period during which direct impact of a natural calamity is felt.
Disaster phase is long in case of slow on-set disasters (draughts, normal monsoon
flood) and short in case of rapid on-set disasters (flash flood, cyclone, earthquake, fire,industrial accident, landslide etc).
(vi) Recovery Phase: The period, following the emergency phase, during which
actions are to be taken to enable victims to resume normal lives and means of
livelihood, and to restore infrastructure, services and the economy in a manner
appropriate to long-term needs and defined development objectives. Recovery
encompasses both rehabilitation and reconstruction, and may include the continuationof certain relief (welfare) measures in favour of particular disadvantaged, vulnerable
groups.
To collect and verify statistics relating to loss according to instructions issued by
Disaster Management Bureau and other national authorities from Upazila officials andUpazila Disaster Management Committee and to determine priority and requirement
through emergency survey by officials or any other competent persons.

STANDING ORDERS FOR CYCLONESThe Standing Orders for Cyclone (SOC) proclaimed by the Government of
Bangladesh (GOB) as of November, 1985 and updated thereafter constitute the basic
plan for coping with cyclone disasters. SOC laid down the guidelines for action at
various stages of disaster by all government agencies to cope with situation arising out
of cyclone havoc. Within the framework of SOC, concerned authorities are required
to deal with unforeseen and complex situations swiftly using initiative andimagination. The local authorities are required to take necessary action to prevent or
reduce loss or damage to life and property by making maximum use of local resources
instead of waiting for external assistance. The guidelines for disaster preparedness andmanagement under SOC are organized into 5 stages as follows [4]:(a) Pre-Disaster Stage (Off-cyclone season)(b) Alert Stage (Signal No. I, II and III)(c) Warning Stage (Signal No. IV)(d) Disaster Stage (Signal No. V, VI, VII and VIII, IX, X)(e) Post-Disaster stage (Immediately after the cyclone till normalcy is attained)
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INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENT IN SOD

Being a disaster prone country, elaborate institutional arrangements are in place todeal with disasters, including cyclones. There are three committees and three
institutions at the apex level namely National Disaster Management Council, headedby Prime Minister, Inter Ministerial Disaster Management Committee headed by
Minister, Ministry of Food and Disaster Management (MoFDM), National Disaster
Management Advisory Council, MoFDM, Disaster Management Bureau andDirectorate of Relief and Rehabilitation. There are broad based Disaster Management
Committees in the field levels at district, upazilla and union headed by deputy
commissioner, upazilla nirbahi officer and chairman at respective areas.
However, the most dedicated agency for cyclone disaster information disseminationand mobilization at the coastal level is the Cyclone Preparedness Programme (CPP).
The CPP is an organization of large contingent of volunteers at the field who carry out
the important function of mobilizing people at the community level to cope withcyclones. In the mode of CPP, Bangladesh has evolved a model organization for
cyclone warning dissemination in the coastal belt. The CPP is located in the
Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRC) under the MoFDM of the government. The
CPP is staffed by a small number of permanent officers at the headquarter in Dhaka
and 8 coastal districts and comprises of 44000 volunteers, organized in teams of ten,which undertake specified cyclone emergency preparedness and post impact tasks.
The volunteers disseminate the warning signals, alert the people, evacuate them tosafe places, rescue marooned people after the cyclone, provide the injured with firstaid, report on the losses and damages after preliminary assessment within twelve
hours of the cyclone, etc. Each CPP team is provided with warning equipments liketransistor radio, megaphone, siren, signal light, first aid kit, etc. Teams are also
provided with cycles for communication and signal flags for hoisting in poles incyclone shelters and other points to communicate warning signals to people in the
coastal area.
After the formation of a cyclonic storm in the Bay of Bengal, the Storm Warning
Centre of BMD issues special weather bulletins from time to time till the landfall. The
volunteers are provided with Depression Tracking Map and they receive instruction
from the CPP Control Room in Dhaka over wireless to plot the track in the map asbulletins are received from BMD. The tasks of the volunteers include the arduous
responsibility for wide dissemination of warnings by bicycle and foot and using
megaphones and sirens, public address equipment, signal lights, signal flags, searchand rescue, first aid treatment, evacuation and shelter, and welfare. Many
communitites have significant number of illiterate population and they can be bestreached through symbols. In Bangladesh, this is achieved through hosting of coloured
flags. The warning flags are hoisted in port, cyclone shelters, public buildings,
community centers, local government organizations in coastal area following warning
by BMD to communicate impending cyclone. The CPP volunteers ensure hoisting offlags. One flag is hoisted for caution, two flags for danger and 3 flags for great danger.
Such displays can serve as medium of warning dissemination and at the same time
prepare the community for appropriate response which will in turn increase theeffectiveness of warning.

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SIDR MANAGEMENT IN THE SURVEYED AREAS

There are specified responsibilities for the different institutions under the Government
at different stages of disasters, especially for cyclones, in the SOD. In this particularsurvey, the local government authorities in Barguna and Patuakhali districts wereinterviewed in the light of the responsibilities defined in SOD. The objective of suchinterviews was to assess the most recent cyclone management activities and to see
how far the SOD is followed in the responsible institutions. On the other hand, there
must be some difficulties or controversies along with suggestions regarding the SOD
among the personnel involved. Therefore, to pick up some guidelines from practicalfield experiences for improvisation of the SOD was also another target of the survey.
The issues based on which the questionnaire survey was made and the information
retrieved from the personnel has been listed in the following tables (Table 9 to 15).
Table 9: Interview of Deputy Commissioner
IssuesPatuakhali
Barguna
Normal Times
Review the overall disaster No such activity is ever-dopreparedness level in the District performed or practiced
every three months and try to
remove the weaknesses
Identify (unprotected) important There is no such-doplaces,
thehighlyrisky activity. No population
cyclone/flood prone areas and census made locally.
prepare maps showing important
places of the Upazila and Union,
population, detailed preparedness
facilities
Form team of volunteers at These activities are No activities are
Upazila, Union, Ward and Village performed by the CPP, performed by the DC
level
and
ensuretheir BDRCS and few local officeregardingresponsibilities like publicity of NGOs
forming teams ofsignals, rescue, evacuation andVolunteers
relief operations etc.
Ensure effective training and There is no such-doorientation of the volunteers activity. Sometimes few
formed for cyclone preparedness NGOs provide suchprogramme drawn through CPP trainings
and other agencies
Ensuresupplyofrelated There is no such activity-doimplements to the volunteers for
improvement of communication for
publicity of cyclone/flood warning
signals.
Ensure that all officials of different There is no such activity-dodepartments and agencies areaware of Standing Orders related todisaster.

24

19

March 2009

IssuesArrange tree plantation at shelter
places and proper maintenance ofponds, village roads, embankments
and sluice gates

Form
District
DisasterManagement Committee in thelight of government notification
Prepare local contingency plans fordisaster response
Conduct mobilization drills in
April and September every year toknow the nature and effectivenessof preparedness
Conduct population census inevery newly formed chars and if
possible encourage/assist people inconstructing
stronghouse.
Otherwise, prepare plans for theirevacuation to safer place

Keep ready updated list ofimportant
information
likepopulation,transport,
watertransport, food storage, stock ofrelief materials etc.
Keep cyclone/flood shelter andfortified earthen mounds fit for use
and ensure availability of sufficientwater.

20

Patuakhali
There is no suchactivity.
Roads,
embankments and otherinfrastructuresaremaintainedbytherespective
authorities
such as LGED, WDB
etc.
District
DisasterManagement Committee
is already formed andactiveindisastermanagement programs
There is no local
contingency plan
There is no such activity

Barguna-do--do--do-do-The
approximate
population is estimatedin a newly formed char
but there is no activity
taken regarding housing
or evacuation plan

Populationisestimated
approximately but
evacuation is notplanned.
Againduring a storm it isvery tough to findanyvolunteers,risking their own
lives for evacuating
the people of char.
During the landfall
of
SIDR
the
waterways linking
the chars becamevery rough and thoseareas became totally
inaccessibleforevacuation
The lists are made-doalways
especiallykeepingadisaster
preparedness program inmind but not updated
Periodic repair works-doare done when funds areavailable but no regular
maintenance is done forstrengtheningtheshelters.
25

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Issues
Prepare a list of buildings, schools,
colleges, establishments etc. byconducting a regular survey
annually so that people can use
them during emergency as relief
camp.
Ensure extensive publicity amongpeopleabout
cyclone/flood
warningsignalsand
theirimportance.

PatuakhaliNoregularannualsurvey is performed.

Barguna-do-

There is no such activity DC office does not
in normal times
conductsuchactivities
directly.
CPP, BDRCS andNGOs have suchprograms, DC officeassistthemsometimes if needed
Encourage
andensure Occasionallysuch-doimplementationofcoastal activities are encouraged
afforestation programmes
but there is no regularprogram if not instructedby the Government
Ensure preparation of Disaster There is no such activity
Action Plan (contingency plan) by
Upazila Disaster Management
Committee and Upazila Nirbahi
Officer
Conduct, with the assistance of There is no such activity
DMB, orientation courses of all
Upazila level officers and staff on
preparedness for cyclone
Ensure calling of meetings now Generally meeting isand then for proper formation of called on emergency
District Disaster Management situations to instruct on
Committee and evaluation of emergency
responses
District Disaster Management only
Action Plans.
Keep updated list of non- Yes
government agencies that are able
to work on disaster management
and coordinate their activities.
Alert Stage
Issue warning notice to all Noticewasissued 1st signal issued 3
concerned for preparedness
immediately
after days before andgetting information from notice was issued
BMD
immediately
Ensure that the endangered people The concerned agencies
have been warned through wireless were instructed to do soarrangement of police, BDR and
CPP and other communication
system.

26

21

March 2009

IssuesPatuakhali
Establish a Control Room and keep Control
room
wascontact with the EOC at the established in DC office
Ministry of Food and Disaster building
Management
andDivisional
Control Room.
Warning Stage
Call a meeting of the District yes
Disaster Management Committee
Instruct concerned agency to hoist
appropriate warning signal at
specified place.
Keep contact with the EOC at the
Ministry of Food and Disaster
Management, Divisional Control
Room and the control room at theconcerned Upazila headquarters.
Arrange wide publicity of cyclone
danger/great danger signal amongpeople of the area and ensure thatthe disaster signals are received bypeople of disaster prone areas

Barguna
Control room wasestablished in theDC’s
conference
room.
24
hr
operated. Closed on
15th December
District meeting on
preparedness activity
held after #3 signal.
CPP and BDRCS
were instructed to do
so
yes

yes
yes

Miking was held among
the communities. Local
volunteers from BDRCS
mainly conducted the
publicity

Miking was held on
14th.
Local
representatives
disseminatedmiking. Information.
But it was notpossible to announce
everywhere
especially in few
inaccessible
andremote areas. The
previous
Tsunamiwarning
misledpeople. Evacuation
order was issued on
14th. In some places
shelters are scarce.
CPP BDRCS acted
as volunteers but
local admin was
more relied on forvoluntary services.
Warning flags werelifted at remote areas
like
Nishanbaria,
Patharghata, and allplaces chosen by
BDRCS, CPP

Disaster Stage
Gather all necessary materials Necessary
materials On the 14th evening(manpower,transports,
water were gathered as much DC went to visit the
22

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IssuesPatuakhalitransport, equipment and relief as possible. But there
materials) and send to disaster was only one rescue
affected areaboat which was not
sufficient to cover theaffected areas. The
allotment of carrying
cost is insufficient

Arrange requisition of necessarytransports and water transports
through appropriate authority

Ensure supply of drinking water todisaster affected areas

Call emergency meeting of District
Disaster Management Committee.
After receipt of evacuation order,
ensure evacuation of people andmaterials through volunteers

Bargunaareas.
There was somestorage of dry food.
Transport was speed
boat, rescue boat
(large enough, 10MT
capacity). But fuelprice is high. So it
becomes tough tocontinue operation in
all areas
Requisitionis
not Onthe
15th
possible always as there Novembernight,
are not enough water flood
startedattransports
11pm. At 7.30 pm
telecom disrupted.
No wireless was inDC
office.
Communication wasmaintained by staffs
through landlines.
No
suchactivity
conducted at the disasterstage. Only drinking
water
supplywas
ensured in few Shelters
yes
After getting #3
signal meeting wascalledVolunteers and Police
force were involved in
evacuation. People did
not believe the warningand did not want toleave their houses. The
police forced the people
in some places

Rehabilitation Stage
Visit affected areas on emergency Visit was made on thebasis, arrange for appropriate next morningsurvey to determine loss/damage
and necessity for help/assistance.

28

On the 16th morning
DC visited the areas.
Initialdamageassessment, rescue
work done.
Telecom of police
super, DC reinstalledfirst. On the 16thmorning team went
with stored dry food.
Transportwas23March 2009

IssuesPatuakhali

Send a report of loss and damage in Survey was performedprescribed form and request for in prescribed forms. But
help and assistance.
since Surveyors aremainly chaukidars (local
guards) assigned by themembers of the union,
the damage assessment
might not be reliable.
Duplication with otheragencies were avoided
through coordination
Establish
reliefcenters
at Initially relief work wasappropriate places and operate not very much planned.
them
Reliefs were distributedby visiting the affectedareas. NGOs helped a
lot but sometimes they
were partial to theirpeopleConduct rescue operation of No govt. volunteers
stranded or affected people in the were involved in suchislands
operations
Conduct emergency and normal 1 doctor+ 1 medical
medical services and supply of team were appointed forfood and drinking water.
each union. Foods were
supplied by DC office,NGOs.
Purificationtabletswere
also
supplied.

Arrange for the repair of damaged
tube-wells and sinking of new
tube-wells. Arrange for making
the pond water suitable for use fordrinking purpose.

24

Barguna
speedboat.
Damage Assessment
wasperformed
through the teams
appointed by theunion parishads andotherrespective
agencies like LGED,WDB etc.

Public Health Engg,
AFD,
Save
the
Children, American
force served bottled
water, packet water.
Continued up to 4
monthsPurifier
tablet was served
immediately.
Program finished in
April.
58 medical teams
came on 18th for 42
unions. Local teams
also
worked.
German team andNGOs also worked
Most of the tube wells Number of tube
were okwells is not more.
Normallymunicipality supply,
PSF, deep tube wellsaresourcesofdrinking water

29

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IssuesArrange assistance for repairing ofresidential houses of affected
people and temporary shelters forthem

Patuakhali
Money was provided for
repairing/building
houses through AFD
and Chairman – 5000
tk/house
Take steps for burial of dead Dead bodies of Human
human bodies and carcasses and andAnimalswere
ensure prevention of epidemics
buried with the help of
local
agencies,
volunteers

Render essential services through The fallen trees wereappropriate steps
removed early as it wasannounced that those
who will remove a tree
will be owner of that.

Barguna
Money was provided

From 17th, govt
officers from DC
office, fire brigade,local
people,volunteers,
ansarsworked for removing
wastes and debris
and burial of deadbodies of human &animal. One officer
from DC office wasinvolved. Continued
for 3 days.
People were ordered
to remove trees with
their
own
responsibilities.
Restoration
waspossible within 3
weeks

a On 17th foreign NGO
help started. Whenhelp from outside
was available, therestoration processaccelerated
Rehabilitation
After
SIDR,
programmes prepared workshop, trainings
and sent to the higher held with the help ofauthority for approval
DMC
members,
scout, BNCC, roverscout, DMB. Sharing
Knowledge started.
Plans have been
proposedforReservefund,
vehicle for quick
response,highfrequency telecom(wireless).
Education- rehabilitaion
programproposed in ministry.

Arrange for repair of roads, AFD
playedculverts, bridges etc and for their significant role here
rehabilitation, if necessary.

Prepare appropriate rehabilitation
programmes in coordination withhousing, agriculture and livestock
officers and take steps for theirquick approval and implement
rehabilitation programmes quickly.

30

25

March 2009

IssuesTake steps for drawing out polluted
saline water from areas insideroads and embankments.
Coordinate activities of non- yesgovernment agencies engaged inrehabilitation work

Patuakhali

Barguna

yes

Table 10: Interview of District Relief and Rehabilitation Officers (DRRO)
IssuesPatuakhali and Barguna
Normal Times
Were materials and implements of relief In normal times there is no activity
preserved and their fitness assured?
regardingreliefmaterials
or
implements.
Were Upazila and Union Disaster No trainings were arranged due to lack
Management Committees (DMC) formed of fundand trainings arranged for them?
Alert and Warning Stage
Where was control room arranged?
Control room was arranged in the officeof Deputy Commissioner.
Were the DC and TNO informed of the The information on the probablecondition of the areas likely to be affected vulnerable areas is provided by theby disaster?
central authorities through the weather
bulletin. No other activities are
performed locally to identify vulnerable
areas.
What kinds of activities were performed Some local grocery shops were
for strengthening the stock of relief contacted and dry foods were boughtmaterials and to transfer the materials of from them immediately to stock as
the store houses likely to be affected to relief material. No proposal was
safer places?
submitted to Relief and Rehabilitation
Department regarding this issue
How the coordination of the Voluntary and Voluntary and other agencies have toother agencies at the District and Upazila report on their activities in DC officelevels were assisted?
and they are assisted according to theirneeds.
Was there any provision to keep vigilance The water transports are kept on theon the security of water transports engaged compounds of respective authorities.
in relief work or to inspect the identified But in normal times relief centers are
relief centers and send reports to DMB?
neither inspected nor any reports
prepared.
Disaster Stage
When the arrangement for sending the The relief materials were sent on therelief materials to destinations was day after the storm, that is on 16th
finalized?
November morning

26

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IssuesWhat was the role in rescue operations?

Was the primary assessment of loss of lives
and properties done and report sent to TNO
and DC?
Is there any routine chart on distribution,
supervision and monitoring of reliefmaterials according to approval?

Patuakhali and Barguna
The activities of DMC were mergedwith the DC office. Trees, wastes anddead bodies were removed from theroads to establish the transport network.
Local teams were organized and sent tothe affected areas for rescue operation.
Loss and Damage assessment was
performed under the supervision of DC
office.
The accounts are kept on the
distribution of relief material.

Rehabilitation StageWas any detailed report of loss and damage Loss and Damage assessment wassent to DC, Relief and Rehabilitation performed under the supervision of DC
Department and DMB?
office and sent to the DMB.
When the disbursement of house building
grant, gratuitous fund and other reliefmaterials to the affected people weremade?
Was any report of relief and rehabilitation Reports are sent from the DC office.
activities sent to Relief and Rehabilitation
Department?
Was any evaluation accounts of relief NO
activities kept ready for audit?
Was disaster affected people
employed through test relief?

were Not initially

Table 11: Interview of field offices of Executive Engineer of the Bangladesh Water
Development Board
IssuesPatuakhali
Barguna
Normal Times
Construct embankment in disaster
Embankments
are -doprone coasts and islands according
constructed according
to designs approved by theto the availability of
government.
fund.
Monitor continuously the condition Monitoring and small -doof the embankment and repair the repair works are done
breaches and weak points in regularly especially inadequate manner
the disaster season
Was special weather bulletins/news yes
yescollected and all concerned at fieldlevel informed and directed for
security steps in embankments and32

27

March 2009

Issuesother installations?
Was any meeting called by local
Disaster Management Committee?
Who attended the meeting?
Was any Liaison Officer appointed
by The Chief Engineer at field levelfor communicating with the local
Disaster Management Committee?
Coordinate and cooperate with civil
administrationforrescue,evacuation and relief operations andmakeavailable
implements,
materials, transports and technicalassistance to them.

Patuakhali
Yes. Executive Engr Yes.
attended.
No

No

Not
enoughworkforces to be
involved in rescue,relief and evacuation
operations.
Only
supports
canbeprovided by watertransport
Was there any effort to repair ThroughYearlyleakage, breaches, holes, weak Watch
points in the embankment in thearea before disaster season?
Are the materials kept ready at All
therequiredsuitable place for repair purpose?
materials arenotavailable. Only sandsacks are kept readysome times
Are guards appointed for protecting There is a Committee
the polders?
including local admin
and beneficiaries toensure the security,
but local musclemen
dominate
How many protecting embankments
are constructed this year?
Are reports submitted at regular Yearly reports areintervals to higher authority stating provided
the condition of sluice gate,embankment and other works andprogressofrepairandreconstruction? How often reports
are submitted?
Alert and Warning Stage
What type of precautionary steps No
were taken for protection of the
lives of the employees of Water
Development Board and secure
Board assets, machinery, transports
etc?
How link was maintained with the Coordination
local
DisasterManagement maintained
through28

Barguna

33

Speed
boats
are
provided on demand,but the number is not
sufficient

Depends on Fund. In
2006-2007 5 miles’
repair work carriedout in Mirzagonj

No

Funding couldn’t be
managedNo

Coordination
maintained
through
BNUS Annual Report-2008

ICUS Report 33

IssuesCommittee and other agencies?
Was there any activity performed
for emergency construction ofphysical infrastructure and repair
and maintenance?
Disaster StageHow long the information centre
was operated and was any liaison
officer sent to the local Disaster
Management Committee?
Were the information centre of
Bangladesh Water Development
Board and Control Room of thelocal administration informed about
the disaster?
How the local administration was
assisted for rescue, evacuation andrelief activities?
Was there any requirement
identified to repair any damage,unserviceable installations andsupply source by organizing
technical persons and materials?
After how long of the disaster thedamage/loss was assessed?
When the action plan for repair,reconstruction and reinstallation
was initiated for short term?

Patuakhali
DC officeNo

Barguna
DC officeNo

No information centerNo information center

Control Room was Control Room wasoperated in DC office operated in DC officeThroughprovidinglogistic support
No

No

Damage Assessment
started on 16th
After completion ofdamage assessment

Damage Assessment
started on 17th
After completion ofdamageassessment
and restoration of
essential services
What preventive actions were taken There
were
no -doon emergency basis through tours in sufficient funds orthe affected area?
logistics to take any
preventive measure indisaster stage
Was there case of any difficulty or
any exceptional circumstances, thesolution of which is beyond thecontrol of own office and needed
request
the
local
civil
administrationorDisasterManagement Committee to help?
Rehabilitation StageIs the loss/damage assessed? Are Damage Assessment Detailed plans andplan and designs prepared for done. Detailed plans requirements
haverepair,reinstallation
and and requirements have been submitted forreconstructionofphysical been submitted for approval. After ainfrastructure, embankments, and approval. After 3 or 4 week of disaster, newsluice gates at required places? daysofdisaster, planning
startedAfter how many days of disaster, planning started
People died where34

29

March 2009

Issuesthe planning has been started?

Patuakhali

Bargunaembankment failed. In
reality
Earthenembankments
areconstructed 2/3 ft
lower than design
height. So raisingembankment might beneeded.
Propermaintenance can be asolution
What was the role in assisting and Logistics Support was Logistics Support wascooperating the civil administration provided
providedin relief activities?
Are places for the construction of DPP submitted for DPP submitted
embankments
asprotective 110 crore in planningmeasures against future disasters commission
have been identified? Are the plans
and request for approval andsanction of funds from theconcerned authorities prepared?
Table 12: Interview of Upazila Nirbahi Officer
IssuesPatuakhali
Barguna
Normal Times
Ensure formation of Upazila Yes
Yes
DisasterManagement
Committee according togovernment notification.
Ensure formation of Union Yes
Yes
DisasterManagement
Committee according togovernment notification.
Ensure constitution of team No.
No. CPP and BDRCS areofvolunteersatresponsible
upazila/union/ward
andvillage level for publicity ofcautionary
signalsandrescue,evacuationtoshelters/safe places and relief
operations.
Ensure cooperation with CPP No direct coordination -dofor making warning signals with CPP at normal
fruitful through volunteers times
and orienting them with thesituations.
Ensure appropriate publicity No such activity at No such activity at Normalof cyclone warning signals Normal times
times

30

35

BNUS Annual Report-2008

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Issuesthrough volunteers.
Ensureawarenessofconcerned people of different
departments about Standing
Orders on Disaster related
issues and encourage them toperform tasks in the light ofthese orders.
Ensureappropriate
maintenanceofembankmentsoftheBangladesh
Water
Development Board and theirraising at level higher thanflood level for use as safe
shelter places
Ensure implementation ofcoastalafforestation
programme
Maintain lists and maps of
those areas which are
generallyaffectedbycyclone/floods.
Prepare Upazila Disaster
Action Plans consistent with
the Standing Orders on issues
likewarnings,
shelters,
rescue,healthcare,
evacuation,
reliefandrehabilitation, security andlaw and order etc and ensure
their implementation at unionlevel.
Ensure cyclone rehearsals
and drills in April and
September every year so thatpeopleconcerned
canimplement the preparedness
plans after proper training.
Undertake survey of new
settlements
andensuredisaster preparedness of thepeople living there.
Arrange construction of
fortified earthen mounds,
helipads and cyclone sheltersat necessary places especiallylike char areas and keep themeffective.

Patuakhali

Barguna

Concerned
peopleknow about SOD but
not followed always

WDB is assisted if -dorequiredNot done at normal Not done at normal times
times
No

No

No

No

No

No

Cyclone Shelters are -doconstructed if fundavailable

36

31

March 2009

Issues
Maintain list of all thosevoluntaryorganizations
which will be called upon toparticipate in emergency andrelief works during predisaster, disaster and postdisaster periods and keep
coordination with various
agencies.
Maintain list of manpower
and transports which can beused in emergency work.
Ensure stocks of food,medicines, insecticides andtube-wells
beforeflood/cyclone season.
Ensure operation of Upazila
Control Room with thecooperationofwirelessfacilities
Ensure appropriate repair andmaintenance of community
centres, cyclone shelters andfortified earthen mounds.
Ensure stock of warning
signal flags at Upazila/Union
Office/CPP units
Implement the orders of
Deputy Commissioner about
cyclone preparedness
Afterexaminingthecondition of embankments
submit proposals for repair, if
necessaryTake steps for popularisingby publicity through cinema
shows, leaflets and posters
distribution and programmes
regarding cyclone warning
signals and preparedness
programmes.
Identify and select places incooperation with Union
Parishad
Chairmen/CPP,
Union team leader for taking
shelter by people in flood andtidal bore.
Alert and Warning Stage
Operate the Control Room
32

Patuakhali
Lists are maintained-do-

Barguna

Not done at Normal Not done at Normal Times
Times
Food
stocksare No such activity at Normal
preserved if there is Times
any alert or warning
Upazila Control Roomisoperatedbutbasically DC officemaintains control room
Repairand
Maintenance depends
on Fund. Sufficient
fund is not available
Yes

Control room was operated
in DC office

Yes

Yes

Yes

-do-

Proposals
are -dosubmitted but Fund is
not sufficient
No

No

No

No

Control Room operated
37

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IssuesPatuakhaliround the clock (24 hrs). One
gazetted officer/one memberofUpazilaDisasterManagement Committee will
be in charge of Control
Room.
Keep
manpowerand yestransport ready for immediate
movement.
Send warning signals to Yes
Unionsthrough
specialmessenger/telephone
and
alert
Union
Parishad
Chairmen.
Cautionpeoplebyestablishingquick
communication in char areas.
Keep link with the District Yes
Control Room.
Advise for opening of the Union level control
Union Control Room.
room is not always
possibleCall emergency meeting of Meeting was heldtheUpazilaDisaster including DC, UNO,Management Committee.
Union
Parishad
Chairman,
DMC.
Instructed for miking.
Handmiking
andannouncementsinmosques held. Police
was enforced
Ensure hoisting of warning Warning signals are
signals at all warning centres. hoisted basically by
BDRCS and CPP
Disaster Stage
Ensure publicity of danger Yes
and great danger signals tothe people through volunteersof CPP and other officials
and NGO workers.
Arrange evacuation of human Evacuation order was
beings and livestock to safer announced.
But
places. Arrange for supply of previous
Tsunamifood and clothing etc.
warning misled people.
Police was enforce tocompel people to leave
their houses and got toshelters. Supply of dry
38

Bargunayes
yes

Messengers are sent to thechar areas for warning
dissemination in initialstagesyes

Meeting held

-do-

yes

Evacuation
order
was
announced. In some places
Police forced people to go
to shelters

33

March 2009

IssuesPatuakhali
food was ensured.
Local
shopkeepers
were instructed not tosell groceries.
Arrange special messengers Only evacuation andto warn the population and caution
instructions
advice to wrap up drinking were disseminatedwater, safety match, dryfood, green coconut andutensils etc with plastic sheet
and stock them under earth.
Requisition transports, water Yes
transports etc for rescue andrelief operations. In addition
to this request Deputy
Commissioner for supply of
required type of transports, if
necessary.
Rehabilitation Stage
Arrange for rapid survey of Rapid
damagethe affected areas and assessment
wasdetermine the extent of performed and the DC
loss/damage
was informed
Arrange for quick moving Speedboats
werewater transports for rescue arranged
operations.
Arrangeemergency Yes. This fund was
expenditure for relief work fully utilized in relief
from Upazila Development works
Fund.
Send
emergency
relief Immediately rice-dalmaterials to affected Unions. (peas)-match provided
from TNO fund. The
shops were instructed
not to sell goods. 15
Nov morning 10 am
meeting held at DC
office. Then TNO
himself went withspeed boat and boughtsome goods. Dry food.
Within
2/3
days
outside help came.
Lots of grants came.
Arrange for supply of Flood did not remain
sufficient number of tube- longer, maximum tube
wells in affected areas.
wells
remainedfunctional
Arrange necessary steps Union medical team
34

39

Bargunayes

Damageperformed

Assessment-doyesDry foods were sent
immediately as much as
possible. But the whole area
was so much affected that
real relief work could not be
started until the help fromoutside came

The water supply is notdependent on tube wells
here
The supply of pure drinking
BNUS Annual Report-2008

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Issuesrelating to health

Divide affected areas intorelief regions and declare.
Forthepurposeof
conducting
reliefwork
entrust the work of the region
to one officer.

Patuakhali
Barguna
had purified tablets, water,
food,
primary
worked through civil medical supplies, tents andsurgeon.
etc. could be ensured aftergetting help from outsideGood
co-ordination. yes
Local govt. assessed
the need and directed
the relief as per needwithin24
hrs.
Distribution Principlepopulation,area
damage. Food, cloths,
moshari,blanket,housebuilding
expenses etc. weresent. Limitations- govt
fund, relief transport &handling cost lacking.
As this year admin had
freedom to work, relief
tochairman,
management
wassatisfactory.

Prevent mismanagement inrelief work. Ensure quick
distributionofreliefmaterials, house building
fund, cash relief and housebuilding grant. Ensure proper
management of emergency
hospitals, relief centres andgruel kitchens etc.
Arrange for the burial of For burying animals Burial of dead bodies weredead bodies and dumping of there were payments
performed in cooperation
carcasses under earth
with local administration,
NGO, Volunteers Army,
Police, Ansars etc.
Submitproposalsfor Proposals
submitted Proposals submitted
necessary demand, through forNewshelters,
appropriate authority, for embankments
various grant, loan and reliefmaterials for undertaking
relief operations.
Coordinate relief activities of Coordination
with Coordination with NGOs
voluntaryandnon- NGOs were maintained were maintained
government agencies.
Arrange for the rehabilitation
People were not interestedof people of the affectedin Food for Work programs,
areasthroughTestrather they liked to get
Relief/Food
for
Works
reliefs
Programme/VGF etc andensuresuccessful
implementation of these
programmes.
40

35

March 2009

Table 13: Interview of field level CPP(No CPP office exist in Patuakhali Sadar)
IssuesBarguna
Normal Times
Yearly Simulated Drill
No
Yearly monitoring of Simulated Drill (Apr & Sep)
No
Volunteers’ Training before April
Trainings are conducted atregularintervals,
nothing
conducted especially before
AprilGrouping of families for evacuation planning
No specific plan, there are teams
responsible for specific areas
Physical verification of equipment to facilitate volunteers There are Megaphone, Radio,
Flag, Hand Siren. But theequipments are very old.
Examine the wireless system and keep it running
The wireless system is notsatisfactory
Educate and create awareness amongst the local people
The teams work with local
people for awareness raising
Earmark shelter places, Killas and safe raised land to keep No such activity
them fit for use and to publicise the people about theevacuation plan
Make the people and the volunteers aware of the dangers
Through regular training works
Alert StageSet up Control Room and maintain contact
Control Room at CPP office,operated more than 7 days
Maintain close link with the Meteorological Department
Information received regularly
through HQReceive special weather bulletins from CPP Headquarters Yes
Alert different local authorities and organizations
Advise the CPP volunteers to listening to radio broadcasts
Warning StageWas the DC/TNO/UP Chairman requested to callemergency meeting of the respective Disaster
Management Committee
How CPP assisted in the implementation of the decisions
taken in the emergency meeting
Were the CPP volunteers deputed for shifting the
livestock, poultry and other domestic animals to raised
land, Killas? In Which stage of Warning?
When the people were warned about the disaster?

No significant works with theauthorities
Yes
At #4 signal, meeting was called
and plan madeCPP assisted through thevolunteer activities
CPP volunteers started theiractivity after getting instruction
from HQ
After #4 signal, Flags wereraised at unit offices, bazar,
schools. Warning dissemination
was community based, not houseto house
When the people were advised to go to shelter place? After getting #10 signal. All the
When the evacuation order was received? To what extent CPP volunteers were devoted

36

41

BNUS Annual Report-2008

ICUS Report 33

Issuespeople were assisted in the process?

Bargunaand dared to take life risks toassist the people
When the final warning using megaphone, light signals After #10 signal. Megaphone
and flash lights was given and to which areas?
could not be used, batteries
unavailable. Super Megaphoneneeded.
Lacking in equipments, flags,
dress.
No hand siren (needed in windy
weather). Only mic was used.
On 14th people came to shelter
Cyclone did not come, many
people went back and did not
return on 15th
How often the Upazila and District administration, CPP Within one hour of getting any
Central Headquarters and DMB and others concerned instruction
were kept informed about the field level disaster situation
report? How the situation report were prepared and sent?
Which other agencies and NGOs were assisted in the Co-ordination were maintained
implementation of their programmes and to what extent?
with the NGOs.
Disaster Stage
Were the wirelesses in operation? Who maintained Wireless were active, but thecommunication with CPP Central Office?
equipments are old, problematic
Not very much effective in worst
conditions. One Staff in theofficemaintained
communication
How the loss and damage statement was received and sent The teams participated in grossto concerned authority (whom)?
loss and damage assessment andsent to HQ and DC office
To what extent volunteers participated in rescue work and Teams assisted the local
first aid and how/with whom the activities were administration in rescue works
coordinated?
and first aids.
How and which of the local authorities were assisted in Local authorities were assisted
relief distribution?
in relief distribution
Rehabilitation Stage
Were data on loss and damage due to cyclone collected,
and report sent to CPP HQ, UDMC, Upazila and District
administration? Within how many days after disaster?
What was the role in assisting local administration inburying the dead bodies and dumping the carcasses underthe earth? How many volunteers participated?
What was the role in assisting in inoculation-vaccination
drive and other health measures?
Did volunteers participate in the rehabilitation programmewith NGOs and other agencies?

42

From 16th November assessment
started and upto 7 days fullreports were sent
Participated in burial of deadbodies and removal of debrisNo
Co-ordination with NGOs
One unit, 15 members, 10 male,
5 female37

March 2009

Table 14: Interview of Bangladesh Red Crescent Society
IssuesPatuakhali
Barguna
Normal Times
How BDRCS takes steps for Training, Awareness Vilage committee, todisaster preparedness at all the Programs, Mock Drill, lessen
damagelevels and prepare plans?
First Aid Training, in awareness build-up,
selected schools and signal
explanation.
collegesFor
awareness,training, workshop,
gathering, how towork in disaster, how
to respond, prepare
How many teams of volunteers are 15 member executive 13 HS, 2 Colleges,
engaged in the area and how often team. Volunteer teams life member 700,
their trainings are arranged?
School n College. women’s forum 11
Almost1800 member committee
volunteersinthe 50/55 members
district. Not very often,
at the convenience of
the instituteDo any educational and awareness Not for general people. First aid, health,raising programmes are taken for School/College
search and rescue,
the people to combat disaster? students, teachers and missing
peopleWhat are they?
guardians participate. tracking
No awareness programin mass level
How often seminars, workshops No plan for seminarand meetings for earning special before SIDR. No,
efficiency and skill in disaster planning depends on
management are arranged?
HQ
Which concerned bodies (e.g. DC,
Pouroshova,
Ministry/Department/office/Agency BDRCS, local govt
interested in disaster/relief work,
United Nation Organizations andnon-government organizations) are
kept in contact?
How road communication forstocking and receipt of reliefmaterials are ensured and watertransports maintained?
Do BDRCS participate in theconstruction work of fortified
earthen mound and flood shelter,
cyclone shelter and linking themwith various socio-economic and
38

Ministries- defense,
health, social welfare,disaster management,
education.
Local
admin, NGO 9to
avoid overlapping),social and politicalleaders
No stock for normal Buffer
stock
for
times
natural and manmade
disaster
Self water transport
Cycloneshelter
construction
No social development
works

43

BNUS Annual Report-2008

ICUS Report 33

Issuessocial development programmes?

Patuakhali

Barguna

What other steps are taken in No
connection
withpreparedness
programme of the people to meet
any emergency situation?
Alert Stage
When the warning notice wasissued to all concerned including
the CPP and relevant Red Crescent
Unit?
How warning signals weredisseminated?

From initial
After #4 signal

stage. After #4 signal

Supplyinfo
in Through volunteers
newspaper,
informother volunteers ofbranch offices aboutalert/warning.
No
participationindissemination
No mobile network, No mobile network
only AKTEL. After 9
pm no network
Relief Dept., CPP, HQ, HQ
SWC

How contact with CPP and theControl Room of Storm Warning
Centre (SWC) BMD was kept?
Who maintained link with the EOCat the Ministry of DMR and theControl Room of DMB?
When instructions were issued to No such activity at
Survey Assessment Team to be on alert
stage,
thestandby?
volunteers
areinformed
about
warning dissemination
only
What other steps were taken?
Be alert, spot affectedareas
Warning StageHow long the Control Room was No separate control
operated?
room
To whom officials warning signals DC, branch offices,were disseminated?
BIWTA office, Save
the Children, Islamic
Foundation. DC calledmeeting.
Associatedwith DC
How the efficiency of CPP No coordination
activities at field level was
ensured?
How liaison with the EOC at the Headquarter
Ministry of Food and Disaster maintained
theseManagement was maintained?
communications

44

-do-

24 hours
Local administration
and NGOs

No coordination
Through Headquarter39

March 2009

IssuesPatuakhali
What was the preparation of the No preparation
Survey and Relief Team of warning stage
Headquarters?

40

at -do-BargunaWas there any meeting held with No
the CPP Implementation Board?

Yes

Were any employees, volunteers
and materials sent to disaster
affected areas from less disasterprone areas?

The volunteers were
distributed on the basisof needs and severityoftheaffectedcommunity
How the danger/great danger signal House to house. No
was explained during dissemination miking held by theto all concerned?
volunteers, no leaflet,
Not explained
How BDRCS participated in Volunteers went houseevacuation?
to house
Disaster Stage
Did BDRCS performed any survey Damage Assessmentof loss and damage in affected for relief cards only
areas
What was the role in dispatch of Single Medical team,relief/medical teams?
No first aid
How the local authority was Damage
assessment
assisted to determine loss and started from 17th anddamage and requirement and Relief work started
supply information?
from 20th , BDRCS
participated actively

Yes, in some cases

What type of emergency assistance
was provided to the affected
people, especially in the following
cases.
(i) Help in rescue and evacuation
work.
(ii) Assist the local administrationin organising shelter places.
(iii) Give first aid to injured
persons.
(iv) Arrange complementary foodaccording to the need of distressedpeople.
(v) Arrange preventive and limited
curative treatment.
(vi) Arrange for the necessary
household materials and clothing to
be dispatched to the seriously
affected people.

Volunteers
participated in rescue
works and relief
works mainly

The local unit not wellequipped
andsufficiently
funded.
Volunteers participatedin rescue works andrelief works mainly

45

Miking held

Volunteers
house to housewent

Participatedindamage assessments

The local admin was
assisted in the loss
and damage and needassessments

BNUS Annual Report-2008

ICUS Report 33

IssuesWas appropriate authority informed
about the specific requirement ofaffected people of that particulararea?
Was any request sent forrequirementofreliefandrehabilitation
operation
after
informing about loss and damage
due to disaster to the International
Federation of Red Cross and Red
Crescent Societies (IFRCS)
Rehabilitation Stage
Did
BDRCS
participateinreconstruction and rehabilitation
programmes and to what extent?

Patuakhali
Basically HQ wasinformed

Barguna

Information was sent
through HQParticipatedin Participated
Reconstruction, British Reconstruction
Red-Cross & local
chairman involved
What steps were taken for correct Nothing mentionableandeffective
evaluationof
preparedness
work
and
for
correcting errors/weakness in suchwork?
How BDRCS is associated with the BDRCS sends its
National Disaster Management reports
andCouncil (NDMC) and the Ministry recommendationsof Disaster Management and Relief
in the preparation of list of disaster
affected people and the requirement
and probability of rehabilitation?

inTable 15: Interview of field offices of Executive Engineer of the Local Government
Engineering Department (LGED), Bangladesh(Role of LGED is not included in SOD, though interviews were conducted based on
the roles of WDB)
IssuesPatuakhali
Barguna
Normal Times
Construct cyclone shelters in
Shelters
are -dodisaster prone coasts and islands
constructed according
according to designs approved byto the availability of
the government.
fund.
Monitor continuously the condition Maintenanceand -doof the shelters and repair them in Repair works areadequate mannerperformed on thebasis of needs rather
than routin-basis.
Was special weather bulletins/news Weather bulletins are yescollected and all concerned at field collected but LGED islevel informed and directed for not assigned to informsecurity steps?
46

41

March 2009

IssuesWas any meeting called by local
Disaster Management Committee?
Who attended the meeting?
Was any Liaison Officer appointed
by The Chief Engineer at field levelfor communicating with the local
Disaster Management Committee?
Coordinate and cooperate with civil
administrationforrescue,evacuation and relief operations andmakeavailable
implements,
materials, transports and technicalassistance to them.
Are the materials kept ready at
suitable place for repair purpose?
Are reports submitted at regularintervals to higher authority stating
the condition of the shelters?
Alert and Warning StageHow link was maintained with the
local
DisasterManagement
Committee and other agencies?
Was there any activity performed
for emergency construction ofphysical infrastructure and repair
and maintenance?
Disaster StageHow long the information centre
was operated and was any liaison
officer sent to the local Disaster
Management Committee?
How the local administration was
assisted for rescue, evacuation andrelief activities?

Yes.

Patuakhali

Yes.

Barguna

LGED has no such No
role.
Coordination related -doactivities are operated
by the Headquarter

Repair is not a regular No
task.
Reports are submitted -doyearly
LGED has no active -dorole in DMC.
No

No

No information centerNo information center

Workforcewas
employed to remove
trees
from
roads
within 2/3 days.
The
roads
were
repaired
where
possibleforemergency activities

LGED has no role inreliefandrehabilitation
activities.
Disconnected
roads
were
repaired
immediately

Was
there
any
requirement
identified to repair any damage,unserviceable installations andsupply source by organizing
technical persons and materials?
After how long of the disaster the Damage Assessment Surveying for damage
damage/loss was assessed?
started on 16th and assessment started oncontinued for 15 days the
next
day,
continued for month.
When the action plan for repair, Instantrepairing After completion ofreconstruction and reinstallation continued for 2/3 damage
assessment
was initiated for short term?
months. Long term and restoration of
plans
and
works essential services
started after 3 months.
42

47

BNUS Annual Report-2008

ICUS Report 33

IssuesRehabilitation StageIs the loss/damage assessed? Are
plan and designs prepared for
repair,reinstallation
andreconstruction of cyclone shelters at
required places? After how manydays of disaster, the planning has
been started?

Patuakhali

BargunaNeedassessment -doperformed at the endof the financial year
and long term plan for
construction
wasmade. Helipad isconstructed in each
union
What was the role in assisting and No
No
co-operating the civil administrationin relief activities?
Are places for the construction Plan submitted
Plan submitted
shelters future disasters have been
identified? Are the plans andrequest for approval and sanction of
funds
from
the
concerned
authorities prepared?

DISCUSSION & CONCLUSION

Bangladesh has got a well organized network for cyclone early warning system andpreparedness at alert stage which contributed significantly in reducing humancausalities due to SIDR. The cooperation of Armed Forces Division along with theGovernment Authorities was also very effective in managing post disaster response
and recovery activities efficiently. Still the disaster preparedness and management
operations of the country lacks in active and long term plans during normal times aswell as the implementation of the action plans taken after recovery of a disaster. Thisis the basic reason behind the huge damages and losses of properties as well as
significant number of death toll caused by SIDR. The Standing Orders of Disasters is
not yet well absorbed in the local administrative levels and the related personnel are
not aware of their roles in spite of the knowledge that there exists such a document in
the country regarding disaster. The SoD itself also needs some modification andclarifications of the roles of the personnel and organizations. It needs to be updated atregular interval by including the newly formed or role playing organizations close todisaster related activities and through taking feedbacks from the experience andsuggestions of existing active groups or communities involve. Special plans should beincorporated for the remote islands. Regular repair and maintenance of the existing
shelters and embankments, mock drills among the communities as well as the local
administration are needed to be followed properly before the beginning of the
Cyclone Season. The format and procedure of existing damage assessment activities
are found to be every much rough. In most of the cases the authorities, themselves,
have admitted that the damage assessment done in the union level by the illiterate
guards are not actually reliable. For instance, there is no specific definition on what ismeant by “fully” or “partially” damages and the guards appointed for surveys put thefigures on the assessment form simply form their assumptions. Therefore, theauthorities should train teams of volunteers at normal times on damage assessment.
Moreover, most of the tasks performed from alert stage to response even recovery
stages, are in fact, the response of the personnel or organizations based on the demand48

43

March 2009of the situation by remaining in the jurisdiction of their individual formal assigned
responsibilities. These activities are not performed following the SoD or any otherformal documents. On the other hand there is no provision of monitoring and keeping
accounts of how much work done by whom during the disaster operations. So there
should be a preformatted reporting practice on assigned responsibilities and work
done for the individuals as well as the organizations or authorities.

REFERENCES
1.
2.

3.
4.
5.

44

Briefing on the Cyclone SIDR Operations and Damage Assessment, Armed
Forces Division, Bangladesh, Personal Communication“DRAFT Report on Cyclone SIDR in Bangladesh, Damage, Loss and Needs
Assessment For Disaster Recovery and Reconstruction”, A report prepared by theGovernment of Bangladesh assisted by the World Bank, the United Nations andthe International Development Community with financial support of theEuropean Commission, February 2008
Government of People’s Republic of Bangladesh, “SUPER CYCLONE SIDR
2007, Impacts and Strategies for Interventions”, Ministry of Food and Disaster
Management, Bangladesh Secretariat, Dhaka, Bangladesh, February 2008
Government of People’s Republic of Bangladesh, “Standing Orders on Disasters”,
Ministry of Food and Disaster Management. (http://www.dmb.gov.bd/Standing
Order.pdf)
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=75470 (accessed on February 1,
2008)

49

BNUS Annual Report-2008

ICUS Report 33

APPENDIX-I
Overall Damage Assessment from AFD
DAMAGE ASSESSMENT-LGEDSer

Sector

1.
2.
3.

Total

Rural Infrastructure
Urban Infrastructure
Small Scale Water Resource
Infrastructure

Cost
BDT M

Cost
USD M

3382.446
1174.965.428

49.02
17.03
0.95

4622.774

67.00

DAMAGE ASSESSMENT-WDB
AffectedDistricts

Affected
CoastalDam

Damaged Irrigation
Damaged Riverand Drainage Project Embankment (km)

Loss
BDT M

Loss
USD M

4920

71.304

Qty

Damage
BDT M

12

-

13009

16.4697155

21.465

-

5.625

55279

88.446

Damage
USD M
0.24
0.331
0.08
1.30

-

03.00

0.05

-

46.10

0.70

186.418

2.701

(Nos)

(km)

15

2382

1007

49

DAMAGE ASSESSMENT- DPHE
Ser
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Affected Components
Districts
Water Sources(Tube well, Psf, Reservoir Etc)
Flooded Safe Drinking Water Pond(Psf)
Infrastructure Related to Safe Drinking Water
Sanitary Latrines
Infrastructure And Factories –Sanitary Empty &Products
Indirect Affect On Health, Sanitation And Such
Related Sectors
G TOTAL50

45

March 2009

DAMAGE ASSESSMENT- BRDBSerSectorQty

1.

Crops ( 0.232 M Acre)

2.

Live Stock0.43 M ton
ANIMAL2 0000
POULTRY516000
3.03 M
0.090 M ACRE

3.
4.
5.

Plantation
Fisheries
Infrastructure

Unit
Loss
-

Total Loss
BDT M
172.0

Total Loss
USD M
2.492

5000

100

1.450

100

51.6

0.748

-

606.0
704.53154.582

8.782
10.2100.791

1688.713

24.474

G TOTALDAMAGE ASSESSMENT - BREB
Ser

Cost
BDT M
85.20639.94335.515141.504
2.310
11.963
3.60
6.334
32.196358.571

Affected Components

1. Districts - 30 in number
2. Broken Poles
3. Damaged Meters
4. Transformers
5. Conductors
6. Poles Replaced Against Damaged Tower
7. Sub Station Materials(ACR)
8. Cross Arm
9. Insulator
10. Other Materials (Armour, Rod, Fuse Link Etc)
G TOTAL

Cost
USD M
1.235
0.579
0.515
2.051
0.033
0.173
0.052
0.091
0.468
5.197

DAMAGE ASSESSMENT – FOREST AND ENVIORNMENT DEPARTMENT

Ser
1.
2.
3.

46

Damaged component

Loss in
BDT M

Forest resources
Infrastructure
Subtotal
Forest resources
Coastal Forestation Infrastructure
Subtotal
SocialForest resources
Afforestation
Infrastructure
Subtotal
G total

10000
200
10200
83.031
16.969100
110.465
9.535
120.0010420.00

Sunderbans

51

Loss in
USD M
144.9272.898
147.825
1.203
0.245
1.448
1.600
0.138
1.738
151.01

BNUS Annual Report-2008

ICUS Report 33

DAMAGE ASSESSMENT- EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTES

Ser
1.
2.

SectorFully
DamagedPartially
damagedNumber of
DamagedInstitutes

Average
Unit Cost
BDT M

Cost
BDT M

Cost
USD M

4231

0.5

2115.5030.65912723

0.2

2544.60

36.8784660.1067.537

Total

52

47

March 2009

APPENDIX J(Acknowledgement for Photographs: LGED, Patuakhali)

48

Damaged caused due tooverflow of tidal water during
SIDR on GalachipaKalagachia road under
Galachipa Upazila.

RDP-16, Phase-II roads (fewdamaged photographs by
SIDR on 15 Nov.‘07)

Damaged due tooverflow near Hazirhat
Market on BogaHazirhat Road under
Bauphal Upazila.

Full washed out section on
Galachipa-Kalagachia roaddeveloped under RDP-16 near
Dakua at Chainage approx.
3+500 apart from Galachipa
Upazila.

The above washed out section
are temporarily filled by earth
for emergency communication
with Galachipa Upazila.

Pavement and shoulder
washed out due tooverflow on GalachipaBadnatoli road at
Chainage approx.
7.70km. RDP16,Phase-I, Galachipa
Upazila, Patuakhali.

Shoulder settled due tooverflow on KalagachiaGalachipa road.

Damaged due to overflow by
the tidal water on KalagachiaGalachipa road.

Edge failure and erosion
caused by overflow on
Kalagachia-Galachipa
road.

53

BNUS Annual Report-2008

ICUS Report 33

119m long Iron Bridge was constructed during
the Phase-I of RDP-16 for the FY 1995-1996
on Nishanbaria-Faryghata Kheya ghat roadunder Kalapara Upazila, District Patuakhali.
This bridge collapsed at about 2.00pm on 24
November 2007 during the distribution of relief
goods among the SIDR affected peoples. A
huge number of peoples were standing on thebridge waiting to collect the relief. Suddenly 2spans about 7m each at the Chakamaya end fell
down into the water. One person died, four
people were not traced out yet and about 200
peoples were injured. Additional Chief
Engineer (Planning) LGED visited the bridge
on 25 November, 2007.

77m long Iron Bridge near Chiknikandi
Bazar at approx. 8.00km from Galachipa
Upazila on Galachipa- ChiknikandiPatabunia road. This bridge wasConstructed during the Phase-I of the
RDP-16 Project for the FY 1995-1996.
As per local people’s opinion thisdamage was caused by the striking of aloaded Berge and a floating big tree
during the SIDR on 15-11-’07.
Additional Chief Engineer (Planning)
LGED has visited the site on 25-11-’07.

Summary of damaged Infrastructure
under LGED, District- Patuakhali
due to Cyclone “SIDR” on dated-15/11/2007

Sl
No.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

Type ofdamagedcomponent

Type ofdamagedActual damaged
Quantity

KM
Paved Road
Full/Partial 182.64
HBB road-do56.44
Earthen road-do231.50
Bridge/Culvert-do-Primary-do-School
Growth Centre-do-Union-do-Parishad
Cyclone-do-Shelter
Total
470.5854

MNo------877.00 --- 467

Tentative Estimatedcost torepair/ Rehabilitation(in lakh)1205.00
326.15403.75791.502470.00---

17
7

186.00
19.00

--

14

116.00877.00 505

5517.40
49

March 2009

APPENDIX K(Acknowledgement for Photographs: Upazila Engineer, Barguna)Barguna- Fujihari Road

Ghulshakhali Bazar to Bawalkar via Dema Sluice

Kakchira Bazar

Kakchira Bazar

Nali Bazar (Nali Iron Bridge)

Nishanbaria Ghat

Nali Bazar (Nali Iron
Bridge)Rotten Animals at Khakdon
River

Barguna – Nishanbaria
Road

Relief Works at Nishanbaria
Ghat

Barguna – Nishanbaria Road

50

55

BNUS Annual Report-2008

ICUS Report 33

APPENDIX K

Photographs of Interview Surveys

Visiting Patuakhali District

56

51

March 2009

Visiting Barguna District

52

57

BNUS Annual Report-2008

ICUS Report 33

Visiting Barguna District

58

53

March 2009

Interview Survey in Dhaka

54

The interviewers from BNUS and
ICUS with Prof. M.A. Ansary

Interview with Professor Jamilur R.
Choudhury, VC, Brac University

Interview with G. M. Mansur Rahman,
Director, DRR

Interview with Md. Khairul Anam
Khan, Deputy Chief Coordinator,
Cyclone SIDR Operation, BDRCS

59

BNUS Annual Report-2008

PART-II
RAIN INDUCED HILL-SLOPE EROSION/LANDSLIDE AND PROBABLE CONTROLMEASURE IN CHITTAGONG HILLY AREAS

BANGLADESH NETWORK OFFICE FORURBAN SAFETY (BNUS), BUET, DHAKA

Prepared by: Afifa Imtiaz
Mehedi Ahmed Ansary61ICUS Report 33

ABSTRACT

Rain induced hilltop erosions or landslides have become a common phenomenon in
greater Chittagong and the adjacent rolling areas including the Chittagong Hill Tracts
in recent years. Hill leveling in the Chittagong region continues unabated despite
frequent mudslides during the monsoon. A total of 11 persons were killed and morethan 30 were injured in a landslide in Motijhorna area at Lalkhan Bazar in the port
city of Chittagong on August 18, 2008. Heavy downpour caused the landslide. A totalof 128 persons were killed in another massive landslide in Chittagong City on June 11,2007. Raincut erosions occur mainly due to man-made denudation and cutting of thehills. If vegetations (grass and plants) with deep roots can be grown on these strippedhill surfaces, the problem would be either totally eliminated or at least significantly
reduced. To investigate the causes of the recently occurred landslides and find aprobable solution to this problem, Bangladesh Network Office for Urban Safety(BNUS) arranged a field visit for the experts/researchers to some landslide areas ofChittagong district from September 10 to 11, 2008. The team was formed by Dr.
Abdul Jabbar Khan, Professor and Dr. Raquib Ahsan, Associate Professor from the
Department of Civil engineering, Bangladesh University of Engineering andTechnology (BUET). Later, Prof. Khan presented his findings as well as a couple ofrecent projects implemented by 16 Engineering Construction Battalion (ECB) at
Rangamati area using geojute for raincut erosion control under his guidance. He
showed that these two project areas protected by geojute have performed surprisingly
satisfactorily against the recent high intensity rainfalls of the similar magnitude thatcaused erosion at Motijhorna of Chittagong.

INTRODUCTION

Recent occurrences of raincut erosion in Chittagong hilly areas of Bangladesh haveadded yet another challenge to the engineering know-how, administrativedecisiveness and mass awareness in the country. Many geologists and local sufferers
have reiterated in many news columns that these raincut erosions occur mainly due to
man-made denudation and cutting of the hills. The technical understanding is that due
to denudation or deforestation of the hills the top soils get loosened by the impact
energy of the short duration high intensity rain drops. These loose soils are thencarried down the hill by the unintercepted runoff of rainwater. Such form of raincut
erosion occurs almost everywhere in the world. It should be appreciated that if
vegetations (grass and plants) with deep roots can be grown on these stripped hill
surfaces, the problem would be either totally eliminated or at least significantly
reduced. The question is how to inhibit erosion of the top soils until the vegetations
grow. Geojute – a special type of woven type open mesh jute geotextiles has been
employed in Germany, Italy, USA and Australia to cater for this intermediate stage. It
is worth mentioning here that geojute is produced in abundance in local jute mills in
Bangladesh and every year more than twelve million square meters is exported.
Unfortunately, there was no case study of using geojute for raincut erosion control
until a couple of recent projects implemented by 16 Engineering Construction
Battalion (ECB) at Rangamati area under the guidance of Prof. Abdul Jabbar Khan of
the Department of Civil Engineering, BUET. These two project areas protected by
geojute have performed surprisingly satisfactorily. It seems that apart from exerting
the administrative decisions and generating mass awareness, technical solutions
comprised of geojute and vegetations should be implemented simultaneously.

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RECENT THREATS AND LANDSLIDE EVENTS

Landslide has become very common in the hilly areas of southeastern Bangladesh,
especially in Chittagong, Bandarban, Rangamati, Khagrachhari and Cox's Bazar.
Illegal hill-cutting due to rampant building has left some 70,000 (IRIN, 2008) people
at risk of landslides in 18 sub-districts of the hill districts, as well as the city of
Chittagong, warned specialists. Every year especially in the rainy season landslides
take place in both natural and man-induced slopes. Considerable number of buildings,
roads and other infrastructures are damaged and valuable lives are lost in theseincidents. The major roads connecting hilly areas with the rest of the country areaffected by landslides almost every year isolating the towns and contiguous areas.
Many buildings and infrastructures especially those located on steep high slopes
usually fail due to landslides. The loss of lives and properties due to Landslide events
in Chittagong is very significant. In June 2007, a landslide at Mati Jharna colony of
Lalkhan Bazar, right in the heart of Chittagong, killed 128 people when a hillcollapsed on to an adjacent slum. More than 300 people have been killed in landslides
in Chittagong in recent years (IRIN, 2008). Now time has come to find out the causeof such landslide events in Chittagong City and surrounding areas and to takenecessary preventions to avoid repeated casualties. The chronology of the landslide
occurrences in the Chittagong, cited from Banglapedia 0365, and some other sources,
are listed below:
Chronology of major landslides (Source: Banglapedia 0057) :1968 At Kaptai-Chandraghona road where the protective vegetation is removed, thesoil gets exposed to the monsoon rains and eroded rapidly. This resulted inlandslides, and the loose soil washed down the slopes and carried by rivers
into the kaptai lake. As a result, the reservoir silted up and the authorities
confirmed that in its 30 years existence it had lost about 25% of its volume
due to siltation.
1970 Similar event along Ghagra-Rangamati road.
1990 Occurred on May 30, 1990. Affected the link road embankment at Jhagar beelarea of Rangamati district.
1997 A major landslide occurred in July 1997 at Charaipada of Bandarban. The
total area affected by it was about 90,000-sq m. If such a landslide occurred in
Bandarban Town and any other urban or semi-urban centre, the devastation
would be tremendous.
1999 Two big landslides one in Bandarban and the other one in Chittagong
occurred on 11 and 13 August 1999 respectively claiming the life of 17
people. Out of 17 fatalities, 10 were in Chittagong and the rest in Bandarban
district. Heavy and incessant rainfall at that time was one of the causes of
sliding. This landslide affected Lama thana and the Aziz Nagar union ofBandarban district. Aziz Nagar is almost an inaccessible rugged hilly terrain.
Landslide badly affected the villages of Chittaputti, Monargiri, Meounda,
Muslimpara, Sonaisari, Bazapara, Kalargiri, Maishkata, Aungratali,
Chionipara, Kariungpara. The 11 August landslide was followed again on 15
August at Chittaputti area. At least 50 houses were completely vanished under
the solid earth and 300 houses were partly damaged. About 283.50 ha ofcultivated land, 810 ha of household garden, and 50 km unmetalled road werecrushed. Road communication between Bandarban headquarters and remotethanas became snapped. Especially, Aziznagar-Bazalia road had been closed
for traffic due to falling of huge mass of earth over the road at 25 places.
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2000

Chittagong landslide location was at Gopaipur under Chittagong Kotwali
Thana. The slides crushed two thatched houses at the foot of the hill claimed
the lives of the inmates of the houses who were asleep.
At least 13 people were killed and 20 injured in landslide incidents on the
Chittagong University campus and other parts of Chittagong City on Saturday,
the 24 June 2000. The incident was caused due to the deluge of mud andwater that swamped various part of the port city amid torrential rain.

Major landslide events from miscellaneous sources:
2003 In 15th June of 2003 (International Landslide Centre) total 6 casualties werereported at Cox’s Bazar due to Landslides caused by heavy rain. The
earthquake of July 30, 2003(The New Nation, 2007) with a magnitude of 5.9
hit the Chittagong area causing casualties of six persons in Cox's Bazar bylandslide.
2006 In September 2006 A landslide triggered by days of heavy rain killed twochildren and injured six in village Rajarkol. Villagers said a big chunk of soil
buried the thatched home while they were asleep, instantly killing the children.
(International Herald Tribune, 2006)
2007 In June 2007, a landslide at Mati Jharna colony of Lalkhan Bazar, right in theheart of Chittagong, killed 128 people when a hill collapsed on to an adjacentslum. More than 300 people have been killed in landslides in Chittagong inrecent years (IRIN, 2008). Nineteen people, 12 of them children, died inlandslides in Cox's Bazar district in the first half of July 2007 alone.
2008 Nineteen people died in landslides in Cox's Bazar district in the first half ofJuly 2008 alone. The incident occurred at Teknaf in Cox's Bazar district, 450
kilometres from the capital Dhaka. On 14 July two people died under amudslide at Himchhari. The two were buried alive when a large chunk of earth
fell on the thatched house of at the foot of a hill at about 10:00am. (Source:
The Daily Star, 15 July 2008, UNB, Cox's Bazar). On August 11, 2008 threemembers of a family were buried alive as their mud-hut collapsed in Cox’s
Bazar. On August 18, at least 14 people were killed, a dozen injured and 10
others feared trapped under the rubble of collapsed houses in a landslide in
Bangladesh's Chittagong port city and Cox's Bazar. The landslide, triggered byheavy rain, occurred at the city's Motijahrna hillside slum area.

PRESENTATIONS ON RAINCUT EROSION CONTROL IN
CHITTAGONG HILLY AREAS

Bangladesh Network Office for Urban Safety (BNUS) organized a lecture on Raincut
Erosion Control in Chittagong Hilly Areas on August 28, 2008, at ITN Conference
Room of the Civil Engineering Building (3rd Floor), Bangladesh University ofEngineering and Technology (BUET), Dhaka. The program was chaired by thehonorable Vice Chancellor of BUET, Prof Dr. M. M. Shafiullah and moderated by
Prof. Dr. Mehedi Ahmed Ansary, Dept. of Civil Engineering. Prof. Abdul Jabbar
Khan from the Dept. of Civil Engineering, BUET, delivered a lecture on theapplication of Geojute – a special type of woven type open mesh jute geotextiles, forprotection against raincut erosion of hilly areas. After the presentation a roundtable
meeting was held where twenty six responsible personnel from Education
Engineering Department (EED), Geological Survey of Bangladesh (GSB), Fire
Service and Civil Defense, IWM, CEGIS, PWD, RAJUK, SPARRSO, ECB and64

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Professors from BUET participated the meeting. They appreciated the efforts andinitiatives taken for examining the applicability of geojute and suggested that apartfrom exerting the administrative decisions and generating mass awareness, technicalsolutions comprised of geojute and vegetations should be implemented
simultaneously.
The team of experts from BNUS, formed by Dr. Abdul Jabbar Khan, Professor and Dr.
Raquib Ahsan, Associate Professor from the Department of Civil engineering, BUET,
visited some landslide prone hills of Chittagong from September 10 to 11, 2008.
Later, Professor Dr. Khan delivered a lecture on the same issue combined with his
filed experience from Chittagong, arranged on November 15, 2008, jointly organizedby Bangladesh Network Office for Urban Safety (BNUS) and Bangladesh Earthquake
Society (BES), chaired by Prof. Dr. Jamilur Reza Chowdhury, President, BES. There
Prof. Khan presented his experience of visiting the landslide prone hilly areas ofChittagong and addressed that application of Geojute could be a probable option toprevent rain induced erosions in those areas also. The rest of the segments of thereport summarize the findings of Dr. Khan.

MAJOR CATEGORIES OF RAINCUT EROSION

Rainfall is one of the most significant triggering factors for landslide occurrence.
When the ground is not protected by vegetation, raindrops can loosen particles of soil
and scatter them in all directions. Heavy rainfall may remove a layer of topsoil andsend them rushing away in a swiftly moving current. In general, the effect of rainfall
infiltration on slope could result in changing soil suction and positive pore pressure,or main water table, as well as raising soil unit weight, reducing anti-shear strength ofrock and soil. The pore pressure response processes exhibit some generalcharacteristics. The largest and most rapid pore pressure (positive and negative)
response takes place at shallow depths in slopes. Deeper slopes have slow porepressure changes in response to rainfall process. With the rising of rainfall intensity,
the pore pressure at different depths of slope increases gradually to similar magnitude,
and finally to peak value. During the finishing period of rainfall, pore pressure
declines and soil suctions develop to some extent relying on the slopes permeability.
In the slope with low permeability, the pore pressure declines slowly and even keeps
on a high value at the end of rainfall process. In the slopes with high permeability,
pore pressure declines rapidly synchronized with rainfall process. At the end period of
rainfall, the soil suction recovers to some extent.
Raincut or rain induced erosion can occur due to top soil erosion, block slide and/or
manmade unstable slopes (Figure 1).

Figure 1: Causes of raincut erosion

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A. Top Soil Erosion
Mechanism: Rain is undoubtedly the largest cause of erosion. During heavy rainfall,soils become waterlogged and lose their strength. On steep hills they have thepotential to slip and slump into the valleys below. Water is about 800 times heavier
than air, half to one third the weight of rock and about equal in weight to loose topsoil.
When it flows, it can move loose substances with ease. Rain's most damaging moment
is when a water drop hits the ground. Figure 2 shows the effect of raindrop impact.

Figure 2: Impact of raindrop
As rain drops hit the soil, they loosen its structure (Figure 3-a), freeing up fine clay
particles, which do not settle down easily, and which are transported down-hill(Figure 3-b). Previously it was thought that sheetwash, the flow of water over the soil,
was the most destructive. The kinetic energy of a moving object is equal to half its
mass multiplied by its speed squared: e=mv2/2. As water droplets grow in size, boththeir speed and mass increase. The mass of a 5 mm raindrop is 5x5x5=125 times thatof a 1 mm drop and its 'terminal' speed doubles, resulting in a destructive energy 500
times larger. Thus the destructive power of rain increases dramatically as therainstorm produces larger drops, which is relatively rare. But when it occurs, its effectis profoundly destructive. In the past ten years, starting around 1987, rains havebecome heavier everywhere in the world, and with it, erosion from raindrop impact(seafriends).

(a)

(b)

Figure 3: Top soil erosion due to impact energy caused by rain drops

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Top Soil Erosion Due to Raincut at Rangamati: The following figures (Figure 4)
show some hills at Rangamati, Chittagong, where rain induced tops soil erosion has
been caused. It is notable that all these slopes are either uncovered or denuded.

(a) Rubber Bagan(b) Dangerous Curve 1(c) Kalabagan(d) Dangerous Curve 2

Figure 4: Top soil erosion due to raincut at Rangamati
B. Rain Induced Block Slide/ Landslide
Mechanism: In the majority of cases the main trigger of landslides is heavy or
prolonged rainfall. Generally this takes the form of either an exceptional short lived
event, such as the passage of a tropical cyclone or even the rainfall associated with aparticularly intense thunderstorm or of a long duration rainfall event with lower
intensity. In the former case it is usually necessary to have very high rainfall
intensities, whereas in the latter the intensity of rainfall may be only moderate - it isthe duration and existing pore water pressure conditions that are important.
Principally rainfall triggers so many landslides because the rainfall drives an increasein pore water pressures within the soil. Many soils, especially clays, are hard when
dry but transform into soft muds when a small amount of moisture is added. The
addition of water reduces the shear strength of the soil and can result in landsliding.
Also, water pressure within the porosity of a soil has the effect of "inflating" the porespaces and reducing the frictional forces between soil particles. This loss of friction
can result in a rapid landslide. Figure 5 illustrates the movement of a large chunk ofland that is starting to slide. Here the gravity is pulling it downward at a pretty fast
speed. The movement of the block is parallel to the plains of weakness.
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Figure 5: Movement of a block while sliding (seafriends.nz)

Figure 6: Forces acting on an unstable block on a slope (Wikipedia)

The Figure 6 and 7 illustrate the forces acting on an unstable block on a slope. The
diagrams illustrate the resistance to, causes of, and movement in a slope system
consisting of an unstable block. Movement is driven by shear stress, which is
generated by the mass of the block acting under gravity down the slope. Resistance tomovement is the result of the normal load.

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Figure 7: Forces acting on an unstable block when the slope is filled with water(Wikipedia)
When the slope fills with water (Figure 7), the fluid pressure provides the block withbuoyancy, reducing the resistance to movement. In addition, in some cases fluidpressures can act down the slope as a result of groundwater flow to provide a
hydraulic push to the landslide that further decreases the stability.
Rain Induced Block Slide at Chittagong: The case described at Figure 7 wasobserved at hills in Chittagong University (Figure 8). Figure 9 shows a close
observation to the soil structure of the hills. It is noticeable here that the clay or shale
layers are overlain by thick sand layers which are easily susceptible to impact loading
caused by rainfall. The probable plane of failure developed in these layers is shown in
Figure 10.

Figure 8: Block slide at a hill of Chittagong University

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Figure 9: Soil structure of the hill at Chittagong University

Figure 10: Plane of failure for the hill at Chittagong University
C. Rain Induced Failure of Manmade Unstable Slopes
Mechanism: Other than the natural causes different man-made activities or processes
can cause the slope of a hill to be unstable. The activities may include the followings:(a) Excavation of the slope or its toe(b) Loading of the slope or its crest(c) Drawdown (of reservoirs)(d) Irrigation(e) Defective maintenance of drainage systems(f) Water leakage from services (water supplies, sewers, stormwater drains)(g) Vegetation removal (deforestation)(h) Mining and quarrying (open pits or underground galleries)(i) Creation of dumps of very loose waste(j) Artificial vibration (including traffic, pile driving, heavy machinery)
Excavation or erosion at the base of a slope (or on a slope) can cause an unstablesituation. The removed material is supposed to frequently support the soil directly
upslope from the disturbed area. This loss of support can immediately or eventually
result in landsliding.
The angle of repose is the maximum angle that a material can be stacked and remain
stable. If soil is piled at an angle that exceeds the angle of repose, landsliding canresult.

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FAILURE OF MANMADE UNSTABLE SLOPES INCHITTAGONG

The landslide event of Motijharna has been considered as an example caused by manmade unstable slopes and investigated to explore the reasons behind. From the Figure
11, it can easily be seen that the natural slopes have been cut to almost vertical (90°)
and sometimes to even more than 90° with the horizontal. The formation of soil
structure (Figure 12) of this hill consists of alternate layers of sand and very thin filmof cementing clay/ shale. Rainwater seeps through the layers and over the ages reducethe bond between the sand and clay/ shale which loosen and get separated as soon as
the rain drops strike. In fact no slope of a natural deposit, unless it is made of hardrock, can remain stable at 90° angle. So it can be inferred that the reasons forlandslide/slope failure at Motijhorna are definitely manmade. By visiting another hill
at Motijhorna (Figure 13 and 14), once again very steep manmade slope has been
observed which no wonder imposes risk of landslide or slope failure for the place.
Surprisingly, all the urban utility services such as electricity, water supply have beenfound in the slums beneath these hills (Figure 15). The question is whether thesehouses have holding numbers.

Figure 11: Slopes at Motijhorna Hill-1

Figure 12: Formation of Soil at Motijhorna Hill-1

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Figure 13: Motijhorna Hill-2

Figure 14: Slope at Motijhorna Hill-2

Figure 15: Utility Services at the Slums beneath Motijhorna-2

FigureAnother place called Tankir Pahar (Figure 16) was visited by the team. The hill isnamed after the large water reservoir built on the top. Natural drains (Figure 17) arecreated on the slope surface although there exists some sort of vegetation.

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Figure 16: Hill of Tankir Pahar at Chittagong
Natural Drains

Figure 17: Natural drains developed at Tankir Pahar
Ponding (Figure 18) has been observed on the leveled top surface of the hills which isa dangerous source of landslide. Moreover, cases of sliding soil lumps have also beenfound on the slip of the hill (Figure 19). Here the formation of soil is also a matter ofconcern since it contains thick strata of sand followed by a thin seam of clay/shale.

Figure 18: Ponding at Tankir Pahar

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Mud slide caused by ponding

Formation of Soil – Alternate Thick Sand and Thin Clay Layers
Figure 19: Sliding of soil lumps slopes of at Tankir Pahar
Similar man made slope destabilization has been found while visiting Batali hill
(Figure 20) also. The hill has been excavated near the toe and the slope has become
even more than 90° posing great danger of severe landslides, obviously nature reacts
when it is disturbed.

Figure 20: Slope and soil formation of Batali Hill
Although while visiting the hills of Tiger Pass (Figure 21), the surfaces were found to
be covered with plenty of vegetations, but the important fact is that whether thesevegetations are of right types and capable of reducing raincut erosions or landslide.
Natural drains (Figure 22) have been observed whose formation might pose threat, but
still the slopes are expected to be more stable as long as they are covered.

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Figure 21: Vegetation at hills of Tiger Pass

Figure 22: Natural drains at Tiger Pass Hills
The man made activities are increasing rapidly in the slopes of Tiger Pass (Figure 23),even sometimes in the name of religion, the slopes are being excavated and houses arebeing built at proximity.

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Figure 23: Manmade activities continued at Tiger Pass

VEGETATION AS THE SOLUTION TO LANDSLIDE PROBLEMS

Tree-cover largely increases the stability of the underlying ground by increasing root
strength, intercepting direct effect of precipitation and reducing pore water pressure
by evapotranspiration. Vegetation provides a cover and cushions the impact of rain,
the root systems work as apparent cohesion. Vegetation also adds weight to the slope.
Therefore, bio-engineering methods including that of large scale afforestation andprotection of existing vegetation cover needs to be adopted in the landslide-prone
areas. The selection of suitable plant species should be such that can with stand theexisting hydrological conditions of the terrain. Deep-rooted vegetations are effective
in holding the soil tightly. Some quickly grown grasses like Vitiver (Figure 24) whoseroot system goes up to 14 ft deep in six to eight months of time can be grown more onthese slopes to prevent raincut erosions.

Figure 24: Vitiver grasses

BIO-ENGINEERING
SOLUTIONLANDSLIDE AIDED BY GEOJUTE

TO

RAIN

INDUCEDA permanent and self-propagating vegetal cover is found to be an ideal solution to the
problems regarding erosion along degraded hill slopes. Use of natural and locallyavailable materials such as geojute (Figure 25 and 26) can be considered as a recent
technique in stabilisation of soil along the hill slopes. Jute is a natural andbiodegradable fibres that can aid in vegetative turfing in the form of netting along theslopes. These nettings serve as a physical barrier between the soil particles and76

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rainwater and protect the seeds and the soil until the sites are permanently stabilisedwith vegetal cover. The jute nettings spread over seeded slopes shield the soil andseeds from the impact of rain drops, minimise runoff and slow down its velocity,
maintain the capacity of soil to absorb water, hold the soil particles and seeds in place
and retain soil moisture. When seeds germinate, they grow through the gaps in the
fabric and achieve a cover all over as the biodegradable geojute netting begins todegrade. This technology is appropriately applicable to highly erodable slopes where
mechanical methods prove unsuitable. This technology is also cheaper (Figure 27)compared to the other available methods.

Figure 25: Application of Geojute on degraded slope

Figure 26: Geojute- woven type (open mash) sample
produced by BJMC and private jute mills in Bangladesh

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FigureApplication
Figure27:
27:Requirement
Requirementand
andCostcost ofof Geojute
geojute application
Geojute absorbs water required for vegetation growth and acts as much on its
biodegradation. This helps growth of vegetation in almost half the time required forsame amount of growth without Geojute. As the Geojute degrades with time, grasses
and trees grow up and take over the job of Geojute.

CASE STUDIES OF SOLUTION TO RAIN INDUCED TOP SOIL
EROSION

This segment of the report deal with the case study based on the practical applicationof Geojute in Bangladesh, guided by Dr. Khan. Here it has been assessed whether the
problems of recent landslides in Chittagong can be treated with Geojute aided bioengineering solution.
Case Study: A successful integrated bioengineering approach for landslide protection
and mitigation was carried for Raincut Erosion Control of a Hill at Dangerous Curve2, Rangamati (Figure 28). The work was patronised by 16 Engineering Construction
Battalion (ECB) of Bangladesh Armed Forces Division and supervised by Dr. Khan.
The slope of the hill was quite steep and becomes very risky in rainy season. Thus
slope stabilisation for such steep hills require special attention. Grass seeds werespread on the affected area and later it was covered up with Geojute Textile. The
Geojute Textile was then reinforced by pegging bamboo posts. The flow of waterfrom the hilltop was diverted away from the affected area by digging up naturaldrainage facility at the landslide susceptible hilltop. The growth of the vegetation as
well as the effectiveness of Geojute cover was then monitored. The following
photographs are self explanatory in describing the progress of the work and thecondition of the stabilized slope after completion.

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Degraded State
state

Laying the Geojute

Leveling of the Slope
slope

Dressing
Dressing ofof thethe GroundgroundState of Slopeslope after plantation

Condition
Vegetation
Conditionof
ofthe
theSlope
slope after
after Growing
growing of the vegetation
Figure 28: Application of Geojute for Dangerous Curve-2 at Rangamati
According to the study of Dr. Khan, it has been found that laid over denuded surface,
Geojute takes away about 40% of the raindrop impact energy. Geojute reduces surface
runoff to about 35% by absorbing 4 to 5 times water of its dry weight. The reduced
runoff flows gently (spillway effect) (Figure 29) over the Geojute covered surface due
to miniature dam effect.

Figure 29:
29: Spillway Effecteffect72

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RECOMMENDATIONS

From the study it was recommended that 1. For road side slopes, Geojute aided bioengineering solution may be analternative to providing expensive clay cladding and hard concrete covers.
2. For hills where slopes are not unstable due to cutting but vulnerable to top soil
erosion due to denudation may be secured by Geojute aided bioengineeringsolution.
3. For hills within Chittagong city area:• No further cutting of the hills should be allowed.
• The hills may be cut, if extremely required, maintaining their stability.
• It would not be practical to suggest rehabilitation of the large
population of the localities.
• A vulnerability risk assessment mapping of the hills must be done
immediately.
• No top surface of the hills should be allowed to be leveled.
• No residential facilities should be allowed on the already leveled tops.
• The top of the leveled hills may be immediately covered with clay
membrane/impermeable membrane with grading maintained awayfrom the slopes.
• All the hills which are not currently showing any sign of distress,
should be covered with proper vegetations of deeper root systems.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Landslide has become very frequent event in the hilly areas in Bangladesh, especiallyin the rainy season. The loss of lives left behind by this man- made disaster needs
utmost concern of the general people, government agencies as well as the scientists,
engineers and non-government workers in this field. To avoid repeated casualties in
Chittagong by landslide precautionary measures have become very essential. Hillcutting should be totally stopped and developing or levelling of undulated land shouldhave proper peripheral land slope or retaining wall. Creation of slum area on hills andhill sides should be stopped. Proper plantation and vegetation should be created onhill slopes to reduce the landslide. Special legislation is required to protect the hills by
providing well-defined rules and conditions that need to be fulfilled during
construction. Buildings constructed on hills should have proper, drainage andsewerage system without disturbing natural slope of the hills and rule should beframed to construct houses maintaining a safe distance from hill. Overall, a vigorous
campaign on safe living is needed. Those who live in areas vulnerable to landslides
need to be relocated properly. Moreover, whenever heavy rains strike, the authorities
should dispatch teams of public announcers to high-risk areas convince residents toleave their homes temporarily.

REFERENCES
1. Banglapedia (0365). http://banglapedia.net/ht/C_0365.HTM (accessed on
February 15, 2009)
2. Banglapedia (0057).http://banglapedia.search.com.bd/HT/L_0057.htm (accessedon February 15, 2009)

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3. http://www.seafriends.org.nz/enviro/Soil/erosion2.htm (accessed on February 18,
2009)
4. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Causes_of_landslides (accessed on February 18,
2009)
5. IRIN, 2008. www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=79406 (accessed on
February 07, 2009)
6. International Landslide Centre. http://www.landslidecentre.org/database.htm(accessed on February 18, 2009)
7. International Herald Tribune, 2006.
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/09/23/asia/AS_GEN_Bangladesh_Landslide.
php (accessed on February 07, 2009)
8. The New Nation, 2007.
htttp://www.bcas.net/Env.Features/NaturalHazards/2007/June2007/16%20to%2031.h
tm (accessed on February 07, 2009)

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APPENDIX

Photographs of the Workshop held on August 28, 2008

Prof. Abdul Jabbar Khan presenting his
lectureProf. M. A. Ansary, Director BNUS,
inaugurating the workshop

A portion of the participants of theroundtable meeting chaired by VC, BUET

A portion of the participants of theroundtable meeting chaired by VC,
BUET

Photographs of the Workshop held on November 15, 2008

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LANDSLIDE THREATS AND DESTRUCTIONS IN CHITTAGONG(

Living on dangerous slope
Photo from Getty Images by
AFP/Getty Images

Big shots levelled vast terrain of Ctg hills(www.sos-arsenic.net/english/
homegarden/gani.html)

Photo: AP
Several rescuers dig for victims in
Bangladeshi rescue workers recover the Chittagong, Bangladesh, after mudslides
body of a child after the landslide in(www.msnbc.msn.com/id
Chittagong, 11 June 2007 ( Photo/19168088/)
from Getty Images by AFP/Getty
Images)Bangladeshi rescue workers (AFP
photo)
www.tribuneindia.com/2007/20070612/world.htm

76Bangladeshi rescue workers recover bodies
after a landslide in Chittagong, 12 June2007.
www.daylife.com/photo/0gDvdODcZg5QF

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STEPS OF GEO-JUTE APPLICATION
Case Study of Road Side Slope Protection at Ranirhat Bridge Approach,
Rangamati
Patronised by 16 Engineering Construction Battalion (ECB)

Dressing & Levelling of
GroundSpreading Of Fertilizer

Making Holes For Plantation

Laying And Fixing Geojute

Inserting U-HookFixing Of Geojute CompletedPlantation

Plantation

Support For Plants

Spreading Grass Seeds

Seeds GerminatedPlants Growing Up

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PART-III
MACROSEISMIC SURVEY OF
TWO RECENT EARTHQUAKES(RAJSHAHI & MYMENSINGH)

BANGLADESH NETWORK OFFICE FORURBAN SAFETY (BNUS), BUET, DHAKA

Prepared by: Afifa Imtiaz
Mehedi Ahmed Ansary85ICUS Report 33

ABSTRACTThe seismic intensity is a very important information base for seismologists andengineers for research purposes and different types of seismological reconnaissanceinvestigations. Estimation of strong motion parameters such as intensity is significant
to evaluate attenuation characteristics and vulnerability relations of structures.
Moreover, seismic intensity scale is widely used along with instrumental or recorded
intensity for assessing the extents of probable damage distribution and needs for
emergency response as well as for macro and micro zoning. The study of the "felteffects" of an earthquake through collecting and evaluating non-instrumental data on
earthquakes such as observable effects on objects, people, buildings, and nature istermed as Macroseismology [3]. This is in distinction to Microseismology, which isthe study of the instrumental recordings of earthquakes, i.e. seismograms. The
methods for collecting and evaluating the macroseismic data often involves
procedures based on long (trial-and-error) experience. After an earthquake is felt insome region, the data are usually collected by means of questionnaires. Field survey isan obligatory tool that complements the questionnaires in the case of a damaging
earthquake. The present study deals with the collected information from questionnaire
survey to estimate intensity of two recent earthquakes occurred on 5th and 27th July
2008 in Rajshahi and Mymensingh districts of Bangladesh.

INTRODUCTION

Recently Bangladesh has faced few consecutive earthquakes. Among them twoearthquakes were felt considerably around the epicentral regions as well as in thecapital Dhaka along with few occurrences of damages and panic among people. These
earthquakes named as Rajshahi and Mymensingh, have become the focus of interests
for the researchers of this field in the country. Since Bangladesh is still not wellequipped with the earthquake recording or measurement instruments, Earthquake
Intensity scale, which do not require any instrumental procedure, can be a very
effective tool to express the severity of an earthquake occurred. To enhance theearthquake research, and conduct seismic intensity surveys Bangladesh Network
Office for Urban Safety (BNUS) formed a team with its working researchers under
the guidance of the Director of BNUS, Prof. Dr. Mehedi ahmed Ansary. The main
purpose of this research was to estimate the intensity of the two earthquakes as
accurately as possible and try to extract some information in the absence of a strong
motion seismograph record. A questionnaire was developed for the survey.
Immediately after the occurrences of the earthquakes, the survey team visited theselected areas surrounding the origin and the persons live in and around the localities
were interviewed door to door according to the questionnaire. Overall, the Field
Survey received over 320 responses, where participants were mainly the local people.
During the intensity survey, few damages at several locations were also observed.
Figure 1 shows few recent earthquakes of Bangladesh along with the occurrences
discussed in this study.

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RGP-BD
22-05-08

Panchagarh

Nilphamari Lalmonirhat
Kurigram
Dinajpur

MDPUR-BD
20-03-08

Rangpur

Haluaghat, Mymensingh
27-07-08
Sherpur
SylhetNaogaonNawabganj

Bogra

Rajshahi
Tanor EQ, Rajshahi
05-07-08

NatoreSunamganj

Jamalpur

Netrokona
Mymensingh

Tangail

Meherpur

BDIDASAM
10-11-06

Moulvibazar

Kishoreganj
Habiganj
Brahmanbaria

Dhaka

ComillaKhagrachari

BDIDJESOR
05-08-06

BDMR
28-07-07
Chittagong

Satkhira

BDIDMIZOR
07-11-06

MRID
03-11-06

Bandarban
Cox's Bazar

BBEN1
30-05-06

Figure 1: Few recent earthquakes of Bangladesh

THE SCALES OF EARTHQUAKE MEASUREMENT

Earthquakes are recorded with a seismometer. The severity or size of an earthquake isexpressed in terms intensity and magnitude. These two terms are quite different.
Seismologists use a Magnitude scale to express the seismic energy released by each
earthquake. Magnitude is related to the amount of seismic energy released at the
hypocenter of the earthquake. It is based on the amplitude of the earthquake waves
recorded on instruments which have a common calibration. The magnitude of anearthquake is thus represented by a single, instrumentally determined value. Because
magnitude does not describe the extent of the damage, its usefulness is limited to an
approximation of whether the earthquake is large, small, or medium-sized. The
destructiveness of an earthquake is a complex matter, related to the geology,
population density, and cultural features of a specific area at a specific distance fromthe epicenter.
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The effect of an earthquake on the Earth's surface is called the intensity. In
seismology a scale of seismic intensity is a way of measuring or rating the effects ofan earthquake at different sites. Intensity is based on the observed effects of groundshaking on people, buildings, and natural features. It varies from place to place within
the disturbed region depending on the location of the observer with respect to theearthquake epicenter.
The Intensity Scale differs from the Richter Magnitude Scale in that the effects of any
one earthquake vary greatly from place to place, so there may be many Intensity
values (e.g.: IV, VII) measured from one earthquake. Each earthquake, on the other
hand, should have just one Magnitude, although the several methods of estimating it
will yield slightly different values (e.g.: 6.1, 6.3).
The European Macroseismic Scale, chosen as the basis of the current study, iscommonly used in European countries by seismologists seeking information on theseverity of earthquake effects. Intensity ratings are expressed as Roman numerals
between I at the low end and XII at the high end.

THE EUROPEAN MACROSEISMIC SCALE

The European Macroseismic Scale (EMS) is the basis for evaluation of seismic
intensity in European countries and moreover in use on most other continents. Issued
in 1998 as update of the test version from 1992, the scale is referred to as EMS-98.
The history of the EMS began in 1988 when the European Seismological Commission(ESC) decided to review and update the Medvedev-Sponheuer-Karnik scale (MSK64), which was used in its basic form in Europe for almost a quarter of a century.
After more than five years of intensive research and development and a four-year
testing period, the new scale was born. In 1996 the XXV General Assembly of the
ESC in Reykjavik passed a resolution recommending the adoption of the new scale by
the member countries of the European Seismological Commission.
The European Macroseismic Scale EMS-98 is the first intensity scale designed toencourage co-operation between engineers and seismologists, rather than being foruse by seismologists alone. It comes with a detailed manual, which includes
guidelines, illustrations, and application examples.
Unlike the earthquake magnitude scales, which express the seismic energy released byan earthquake, EMS-98 intensity denotes how strongly an earthquake affects a
specific place. The European Macroseismic Scale has 12 divisions.

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Table 1: Degrees and definitions of European macroseismic scale [6]Short Form

82

I. Not felt

Not felt, even under the mostfavorable circumstances.

II. Scarcely
felt

Vibration is felt only by individual
people at rest in houses, especiallyon upper floors of buildings.

III. Weak

The vibration is weak and is felt
indoors by a few people. People atrest feel a swaying or light
trembling.

IV. Largely
observed

The earthquake is felt indoors bymany people, outdoors by very few.
A few people are awakened. The
level of vibration is not frightening.
Windows, doors and dishes rattle.
Hanging objects swing.

V. Strong

The earthquake is felt indoors by
most, outdoors by few. Many
sleeping people awake. A few run
outdoors. Buildings tremble
throughout. Hanging objects swing
considerably. China and glasses
clatter together. The vibration isstrong. Topheavy objects topple
over. Doors and windows swing
open or shut.

VI. Slightly
damaging

Felt by most indoors and by many
outdoors. Many people in buildings
are frightened and run outdoors.
Small objects fall. Slight damage tomany ordinary buildings; forexample, fine cracks in plaster andsmall pieces of plaster fall.

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Table 1(contd.): Degrees and definitions of European macroseismic scale [6]VII.
Damaging

Most people are frightened
and run outdoors. Furniture isshifted and objects fall fromshelves in large numbers.
Many ordinary buildings
suffer moderate damage:small cracks in walls; partial
collapse of chimneys.

VIII.
Heavily
damaging

Furniture may be overturned.
Many ordinary buildings
suffer damage: chimneys fall;large cracks appear in walls
and a few buildings may
partially collapse.

IX.
Destructive

Monuments and columns fallor are twisted. Many ordinary
buildings partially collapse
and a few collapse
completely.

X. Very
destructive

Many ordinary buildings
collapse.

XI.
Devastating

Most ordinary buildings
collapse.

XII.
Completelydevastating

Practically all structures
above and below ground areheavily damaged or
destroyed.

THE M4.1 RAJSHAHI EARTHQUAKE, 2008

A light earthquake occurred on the Bangladesh-India border, on 5 July 2008 at 22:55
PM local time in Bangladesh. According to ASC-India website, it had a magnitude of
M=4.1(IMD) and was felt in parts Rajshahi in Bangladesh as well as in parts of West
Bengal in India. The earthquake was centred 6.4 kms WNW of Rajshahi, Bangladesh.
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In Rajshahi division it was strongly felt at Tanore, Bagha, Charghat, Puthia, Godagari,
Chapainawabganj, Naogaon, Baghmara, Natore, Pabna and Rajshahi sending many
people rushing outdoors. At least five buildings were partially damaged when a mild
earthquake was felt in Rajshahi and its adjacent areas on Saturday night. The
earthquake lasted for few seconds and the people of these areas getting panicked cameout of their houses and stayed outside for some times to avoid any possible disaster.
The Met Office in Rajshahi could not give any information about the earthquake as it
has no Richter scale. News agency bdnews24.com adds: Mainul Islam, ameteorologist of the Met Office in Dhaka, said the quake was recorded at 10:55pm
Saturday with its epicentre located 290 kilometres north-northwest of Dhaka. The
UNB said: Around 300 university and college students left the private hostel Sunday
morning as the six-storey building tilted during Saturday night’s earthquake. Haji
Hostel, housing 300 students of Rajshahi University, Rajshahi College and othereducational institutions, tilted on the night but no one was reported injured. Around20-30 old buildings in the north-western city also developed cracks, but there were noreports of anyone hurt [4]. Figure 2 shows the location and other information of theearthquake as published in ASC-India.

Figure 2: Location and description of Rajshahi Earthquake [1]THE M4.9 MYMANSINGH-GAURIPUR EARTHQUAKE, 2008

A light earthquake occurred in northern Bangladesh, on 27 July 2008 at 00:51 AM
local time (+6 GMT) in Bangladesh. It had its epicenter at ENE of Mymensingh andmagnitude of Mb=4.9 (according to ASC-India website and U.S. Geological Survey,
Mb=4.9: GS-NEIC, 5.1: GSR, 5.6 Reported by Bangladesh Weather Monitoring
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Station). The tremor lasted for approximate 8 seconds and was felt in many parts of
Bangladesh causing several injuries and considerable panic including the capital
Dhaka. People panicked as the tremor shook twice at 00:51am when most people
were asleep (saarc-sdmc). Many city-dwellers woke up and screamed in panic asbuildings and cots jolted for a while. A meteorologist of the Metrology Department,
cited at The New Nation, said that the earthquake originated from the bordering areaof Sylhet and its magnitude was the highest in the year so far. It was reported thatbeing panicked by the earthquake, a sexagenarian man died of heart attack at Talam
Nadipara village in Tarash Upazila in Sirajganj district. Meanwhile, over 50 studentsof Dhaka University were injured as they jumped out from their dormitory windows
to save their lives. Of the 50 injured students, the conditions of 10 were reported to beserious. They needed to be admitted to different hospitals including the Dhaka Medial
College Hospital. The tremor also shook the buildings and business establishments in
the Rajshahi city panicking the local people. Local people got scared as a few days
back a moderate earthquake struck the northwestern part of the city at night. In the
Barguna district, some 247 km south of the capital, people also felt the earthquake.
The ceilings of two buildings of fourth-class employees of Dhaka Medical College
Hospital (DMCH) at Elephant Road collapsed and walls developed cracks at many
residential halls of Dhaka University after being jolted by the moderate earthquake.
Around three to four thousand people of the staff quarters came hurriedly out of theirresidences under the open sky. Figure 3 shows the location and other information of
the earthquake as published in ASC-India.

Figure 3: Location and description of Mymensingh earthquake [2]9285March 2009

THE QUESTIONNAIRE

A questionnaire consisting of 26 questions was developed for the survey. It wastranslated in Bengali for the convenience of communicating with local people.
Questions were related to the person’s location at the moment quake occurred andsensation of quaking, that is, personal experience, observed effects on thesurroundings, condition of furniture inside house etc. The questions and answers weredeveloped based on the definition of European Macroseismic Scale of 12 levels. For
each item category, corresponding seismic intensity was given. Among the 26 survey
questions, there were 16 items directly related to the intensity estimation. The
questionnaire has been attached herewith as Appendix-A.

ESTIMATION OF THE INTENSITYThe Representative Seismic Intensity Method was used for estimating the intensity ofa particular area. The method involves finding the maximum number of the
distribution using the total number of participants’ response. From one participant’s
response an estimate of the intensity was obtained. Then the group intensity formula(Eq 1) was used with the participant’s intensity response.
Representative Seismic Intensity = ∑ Ii / N(1)

Ii = Intensity from Each Survey Answer
N = Number of Participants
By this method the group intensity for a selected location is estimated. Then the
average intensity of each area is obtained. A map of the seismic intensity distribution
then is to be completed showing intensities of the selected areas around the source
location of earthquake occurrence.

SURVEY DESCRIPTION

M4.1 Rajshahi Earthquake
The locations selected to perform the survey around the earthquake source, were
Rajshahi City, Chapainawabganj, Godagari, Charghat and Saroda, Baghmara andKeshore, Natore and Tanore. The survey was conducted in all the areas except Tanore,
from July 16th to 19th of 2008. Tanore was surveyed on July 27th, 2008. The survey
was carried out through the pre-formatted questionnaire. A total of 200 inhabitantsfrom the selected areas were considered for the questionnaire survey. From thecollected data Intensity of different locations was assumed. The intensity of the quake
assumed from the survey was V at Rajshahi, Chapainawabgonj, Baghmara, Keshore
and Tanore, IV at Godagari, Saroda and III at Natore. Table 2 shows the summary ofsurvey and estimated intensities.
Rajshahi City: The survey results indicate that the people living in Rajshahi andadjacent areas could feel the shaking which according to them, lasted for 5/6 seconds.
Some people woke up from sleep and shaking of light furniture, doors and windows,
gentle oscillation of hanging objects were also noticed in some cases. According tomajority of the people the shaking was horrifying to them. The houses and shops ofthe city are mostly single or two storied brick-built and some are concrete structureswith more than two stories. People living in tin-shed houses could notice a strange
sound also. The surveyed students of Rajshahi University reported that almost all thestudents could feel the shaking and few became panicked. A hostel (six storied),
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housing 300 students of Rajshahi University, Rajshahi College and other educational
institutions, tilted on the night but no one was reported injured (Photo in Appendix).
The building tilted on the nearby seven storied building and the residents of thatbuilding reported that they got frightened. Few hairline cracks on plasters wereobserved on the wall of the slanted building. Few other incidences of falling plasters
and small cracks were found while surveuing.
Chapainawabganj: Most of the people in this town could feel the earthquake shaking.
The houses and shops in the area are mostly brick built, some are of tin shed and somebuildings were found to be of reinforced concrete frame. The people sleeping were
awakened by the vibration. Someone noticed vibration on the pond water. The
hanging objects and things on shelves swung and moved. The people living in tinshed houses reported that they heard a strange noise on the tin. The furniture was also
shaken a bit. But nobody reported about banging of doors and windows. Most of thepeople told that it was easy to stand while a few opined negatively. The people living
near to railway station could not notice the vibration as they are quite used to that.
Godagari: Most of the buildings in the area are mostly brick built and some are of tin
shed. The surveyed people were found to be indoors during the earthquake and somewoke up from sleep due to vibration. Few people could notice swing in hanging
objects or shaking of furniture. The people living in tin-shed houses could hear somestrange noise. Nobody reported about banging of doors and windows. A housewife
from the Agriculture Office Quarter reported that few utensils fell down from showcase. One shop keeper claimed that he noticed long cracks on his shop’s walls in thenext morning (Photo in Appendix)
Tanore: Some people said there was a sound. Also doors and windows were vibrating.
Hanging light bulbs were swinging like a pendulum. Surveys were carried down atmarket places, a group of people. After making conversations, it is skeptic that they
got frightened. The area was beside Padma river. Maximum houses are built of clay
soil. Some cracks occurred in some clay built houses. According to the seismic mapof Bangladesh, this area falls under moderate seismic zone.
Baghmara and Keshor: The houses and shops in these two places were found to bemostly earthen, tin-shed and some with brick walls. The people could feel the shaking
here clearly. The vibration was felt in houses. The small shops (surrounded by tin andhaving tin-shed) vibrated severely and things fallen from the shelves. Rattling soundwas also noticed in doors and windows. A man claimed that one of the walls of hisearthen house fallen due to the earthquake (Photo in Appendix).
Charghat (Sarada): The surveyed people at Charghat could feel the shake but few
people noticed any objects moving or swinging. Few woke up from sleep. The
persons from Police Academy reported that they could feel the vibration for 5/6
seconds, movement was felt easy, fans and light furniture moved a little but there wasno vibration observed in doors and windows.
Natore: The people in this town were mostly in sleep during the earthquake. Many ofthem could not notice any earthquake. The persons who felt the shaking woke up fromsleep, but reported that the vibration was very light and sudden. Few people could
notice movement or swinging of objects or doors and windows.

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M4.9 Mymansingh-Gauripur Earthquake
BNUS team surveyed towns and villages around the earthquake source through thesame pre-formatted questionnaire. The survey was held from July 29th to August 4thof 2008 and a total of 120 inhabitants of the nearby areas were considered for thequestionnaire survey. The team visited Mymensingh town and Agricultural
University Premises, Haluaghat, Jaymangal, Nalitabari, Nakla, Dhobaura, Sherpur,
Durgapur and Netrakona. From the collected data Intensity of different locations was
assumed. The survey results indicate that the tremor lasting between 5-10 seconds
was felt by many people indoors. It was strong enough to awaken the most of thesleeping people, shake light furniture, gently oscillate hanging objects and makeshowpiece fall from shelves. This earthquake was severely felt at Bangladesh
Agriculture University, Mymensingh. Cracks due to this earthquake were observed inalmost students’ hall in this university. Some students were injured due to the panicfrom earthquake. The intensity of the quake assumed from the survey was VI at
Mymensingh, Nalitabari and Nakla, VI+ at Haluaghat and Dhobora, V at Sherpur andDurgapur and IV at Netrakona. Table 3 shows the summary of survey and estimatedintensities.
Haluaghat: The survey was started from Haluaghat village. All the people of thelocality could feel the vibration of earth surface and they think that the vibration was
not light rather stronger. Sixty percent of the surveyed people agreed that they could
feel after shock and the rest were not agreed with this. No such visible damage
occurred. But people felt the shaking very much. Someone dropped from beds whensleeping. Household materials dropped from shelves. Somebody said there wasroaring sound during the earthquake. At one primary school plastering from thewindow wall spilled out. Crack also occurred in one clay-built house. Jaymangal, asmall village near Haluaghat, faced earthquake severely. The main reason might bethat most of the houses in this area were made by mud. Some small inhabitants of thevillages Chatugaon, Ronokutura etc. on the way of Jaymangal also felt the vibrationstrongly. But no damage or crack occurred.
Mymensingh City: Most of the people were at sleep during the earthquake. Almost
85% people woke up due to the vibration. All the people who were not at sleeping
condition felt the vibration. Public Works Department (PWD) and Local Government
Engineering Department (LGED) were not reported about any damage due to thisearthquake. People said about the swinging of hanging objects and shaking of thethings kept on shelves. Few people noticed that birds showed anomaly behavior. This
earthquake was severely felt at Bangladesh Agriculture University, Mymensingh.
Cracks developed due to this earthquake were observed in students’ halls in thisuniversity. Bangabandhu and Shahid Nazmul Ahsan Halls were affected. The team
got the information that some students were injured due to the panic from earthquake.
Dhobaura: All the surveyed people of this area could feel the shaking and they thinkthat the vibration was stronger. They were frightened due to sudden shock. Hanging
elements such as fan, photo frame etc. was shaken. Glass, plate, bottle etc. were fallenfrom shelves. Chair, table, bed etc. were displaced in some house. They did not feel
any aftershock. One man demanded that a mud wall of his house was fallen due toearthquake.

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Sherpur: The surveyed people felt earthquake shaking. They think the strength ofvibration was medium. The local shacks and stalls vibrated strongly. Biscuit packet,
empty bottle were reported to be fallen from shelves of the shops. A man told that he
was fallen from his bed. In Jalalpur, crack was found in a one storied house. Anotherperson demanded that one part of his house collapsed due to earthquake. Door,windows were also swinging during earthquake.
Durgapur: Eighty percent people of this zone could feel the vibration of earth surface
and they think that the vibration was medium or stronger. The people were frightened
due to sudden shock. All small shabby shop vibrated strongly. Biscuit packet, empty
bottle were fallen from shelf of these shop. At the center of Durgapur, the shop andhouses found to be better built. No things from shelf were fallen and no damage
occurred. But hanging things such as calendar, wall clock were vibrated. A fisher man
told that he saw that frogs and fishes in the waterbody were jumping. In some houses
chair, table etc. got displaced due to earthquake.
Netrakona: It is a densely populated town. The effect of earthquake was felt lightly
here. Sixty people felt the vibration here. No damage was occurred due to earthquake.
No object was fallen from shelf.
Nakla: Nakla is a small village. Maximum houses were Tin-shade. At some grocery
shops some grocers said various items got displaced from shelves. One Rice millowner showed his house, claiming that crack has occurred.
Nalitabari: In Nalitabari, almost all the surveyed people felt the vibration. But no one
reported about any materials fallen from shelf. The people felt that the earthquake wasmore than medium. Some people faced trouble while walking. Someone heard strange
sound during earthquake. Iron-gate of a house was making sound due to vibration.
Plaster spilled out form a wall in UNO office and a mosque.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

From the results of the survey intensity isoseismals (Figure 4 and 5) have been drawn
for both of the earthquake. The final intensity for Rajshahi earthquake was estimatedto be IV+ and for Mymensingh earthquake VI-.
Table 2: Summary of survey for Rajshahi Earthquake
Number ofGroup
Locations
Surveys
Intensity
Rajshahi
40V
5Chapainawabgonj
40
V
5
Godagari
30
V
5
Baghmara & Keshore
25
V
5
Charghat & Saroda
15
IV
4
Natore15
III3
Tanore
35
V
5
Total
200
Avg.
4.4

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Table 3: Summary of survey for Mymensingh Earthquake
Locations
Haluaghat
Jaymangal (Haluaghat)
Nalitabari
Nakla
Dhobaura
Mymensingh
Sherpur
Durgapur
Netrakona
Total

Number ofSurveys
15
10
10
10
10
25
10
15
15
120

Group
Intensity
VI+ 6.5
VI+ 6.5
VI
6
VI
6
VI+ 6.5
VI
6.5
V
5
V
5
IV
4
Avg. 5.8

Figure 4: MM intensity isoseismals for Rajshahi Earthquake

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Figure 5: MM intensity isoseismals for Mymensingh Earthquake

Figure 6: Strong motion record for Mymensingh Earthquake
The intensities from the survey can be more accurately defined if Fuzzy theory could
be applied. More locations and people around the earthquake source could besurveyed also for better interpretation. Nevertheless there is scope of more research

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and analysis from the surveyed data. The accuracy of the intensity distribution maps
produced might be in question since they have been drawn roughly. Despite these
difficulties, it is possible to make estimates because the number of participants is goodenough, the surveys have been conducted immediately after the occurrences and the
responses of the participants are concentrated in the selected places that are very close
to the earthquake origin.

CONCLUSION

The estimated results obtained from the study seem to be quite comparable to the
instrumentally measured earthquake magnitude. Since this type of seismic intensity
survey is not performed very often in case of any earthquake occurrence in
Bangladesh, the study lays a representation that this type of survey could be very
useful for the researchers working in this field. It is possible to analyze theinformation more and find out some better interpretations and understandings fromthis study regarding the earthquakes which might be very helpful in effective macro as
well as micro zoning and planning for the areas of concern.

REFERENCES
1. ASC-India Website available online at: http://asc-india.org/20080705-rajshahi.htm(accessed on February 07, 2009)
2. ASC-India Website available online at: http://asc‐india.org/lib/20080727‐
mymensingh.htm (accessed on February 07, 2009)
3. CECIĆ I. and MUSSON R. (2004), “Macroseismic Surveys in Theory andPractice”, Natural Hazards 31: 39–61, 2004
4. NewsBD Article, “Quake jolts northern districts”, available online at:
http://obsnews-newsbd.blogspot.com/2008/07/quake-jolts-northern-districts.html(accessed on February 07, 2009)
5. Web Article “Quake jolts Bangladesh: One dies of heart attack, 50 DU studentshurt”, available online at: http://saarc-sdmc.nic.in/pdf/latest/latest102.pdf(accessed on February 07, 2009)
6. Wikipedia, “European Macroseismic Scale”, available online at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Macroseismic_Scale (accessed on
February 07, 2009)7. http://www.gfz-potsdam.de/portal/jsessionid=A2A50CDE1F8F9AC10ED8E0F4156BEF43? $part=binarycontent&id=1883158&status=300 (accessed on February 07, 2009)

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APPENDIX AQUETIONNAIRE

Questionnaire for Earthquake Intensity Survey
Bangladesh University of Engineering and technology, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Name:
Age:
Education:
Gender:1. Did you feel the earthquake?
a) Yes b) No
If the answer is Yes, then the other questions are asked.
2. Where were you when the earthquake occurred?
Union/Village:
Upazila, District:
3. The Place where you were during earthquake is aa) Plane Landb) On a hillc) Sloped) Valleye)Other……
4. Were you indoors or outdoors when the earthquake occurred?
a) Indoorsb) Outdoors c) On the car
5. If you were inside the house, then which was that?
a) Homeb) Officec) Shopd) Other……
6. What was the main material of the building?
a) Brick-built b) Earthenc) Woodend) Bamboo-madee) Concrete d)Other……
7. The number of stories of the house: _____
8. Which floor were you staying on: _______
9. According to you how was the tremor?
a) Slight and hardly felt [-2] b) Slight (a light truck passing by) [3]c) Considerable (a heavily loaded truck passing by) [4]d) Strong (a heavy object falling inside the building) [5]e) Very Strong and destructive [6-]10. How long was the tremor?
a) Sudden (5-6 secs) b) Short (10-15 secs) c) Long (20-30 secs) d) Very Strong(≥30secs)
11. Did you awake due to the earthquake?
a) Was not sleeping b) No [-4]c) Yes, but did not realize why awoke [5]d) Yes, and realized that it was an earthquake [6-]12. Were you frightened during the tremor?
a) Not at all [-4]b) A little bit [5]c) Quite [6] d) Scared [7-]13. What did you do during the shaking?
a) Stayed still on the place b) Trying to save myself or something valuablec) Went to other roomd) Went out of the housee) Other……….
14. How difficult was movement during shaking--a) Easy [-5] b) Difficult but movement possible [6]c) Difficult to stand andmove [7]d) Faltered during movement [8-]e) Did not want to move
15. How the animals behaveda) There was no animal to observe b) Behaved abnormally [-4]c) Ran outdoor [-6] d) Was running here and there and screaming [7-]16. Were the hanging objects such as photo-frames or light swinging?

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March 2009a) No [-3]b) Slight swinging [4] c) Significant Swinging with banging noises[5]d) Severe Shaking or fallen [6]e) Few fallen & damaged [7]17. What happened to the windows, doors or utensils?
a) Nothing [-3]b) Rattling of windows and dishes [4]c) Banging of Doors and Windows [5]d) Some Utensils broken [6]e) Few windows broken [7]18. Did the objects kept at shelves shake?
a) No [-3]b) Few displaced [4]c) Few overturned [5]c) Few fallen [6]d) All fallen [7-]19. What happened to the furniture?
a) Nothing [-4]b) Slight Shaking [5] c) Considerable Shaking [6]c) Partly moved [7] d) Moved and overturned [8] e) Furniture Damaged [9]20. What happened to the plaster?
a) Nothing [0] b) Fine cracks on plaster [-5] c) Plaster removed from here & there [6]d) Plaster fallen in considerable amount [7] e) Whole faces of plaster fallen [8-]21. What happened to the outer walls?
a) Nothing [-6]b) Small cracks [7] c) Large and deep cracks [8]e) Gaps or One or more walls collapsed [9-]22. What was the damage to the building?
a) Nothing. [-7]b) Damage in the outer walls and roofs [8]c) Collapse in the outer walls [8-]23. Was there any damage to the boundary wall or sculpture nearby?
a) No [-5]b) Narrow crack [6]c) Deep crack [7]d) Toppled
down [8-]24. Was there any crack on the earth or landslide nearby?
a) No [-5]b) Narrow cracks [6-7]c) Many instances and wide cracks [8]d) Innumerable instances [9]25. Was anyone injured from you or your family?
a) Nob) Yes, slightlyc) Treatment needed d) Needed to behospitalized
26. Did you feel any shaking afterwards?
a) Yes
b) No

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APPENDIX B
Photographs of Damages Observed

Tilting of 6-story building in Crack in a shop at Godagari, Collapse of an earthen wall
Rajshahi, due to Rajshahi due to Rajshahi Earthquake at Baghmara, due toEarthquake
Rajshahi Earthquake

Crack in clay built house at Crack in a residential hallvillage
Haluaghat
due
to at Mymensingh Agricultural
Mymensingh Earthquake
University
duetoMymensingh Earthquake

Hairline Crack occurred at arice mill owner’s house,
Nakla due to Mymensingh
Earthquake

Cracks on wall of Muhsin Hall Dhaka University Roof of a residential quarter of Dhaka
and injured students, due to Mymensingh Medical College Employee, due toEarthquake [5]Mymensingh Earthquake [5]

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APPENDIX C
MACROSEISMIC INTENSITY SCALE [7]Classifications used in the European Macroseismic Scale(EMS)
Differentiation of structures (buildings) into vulnerability classes(Vulnerability Table)

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Classification of damage

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Definitions of quantity

Definitions of intensity degrees

Arrangement of the scale:a) Effects on humansb) Effects on objects and on naturec) Damage to buildings
I. Not felta) Not felt, even under the most favourable circumstances.
b) No effect.
c) No damage.
II. Scarcely felta) The tremor is felt only at isolated instances (<1%) of individuals at rest and ina specially receptive position indoors.
b) No effect.
c) No damage.
III. Weaka) The earthquake is felt indoors by a few. People at rest feel a swaying or light
trembling.
b) Hanging objects swing slightly.
c) No damage.
IV. Largely observeda) The earthquake is felt indoors by many and felt outdoors only by very few. A
few people are awakened. The level of vibration is not frightening. The vibration
is moderate. Observers feel a slight trembling or swaying of the building, room orbed, chair etc.
b) China, glasses, windows and doors rattle. Hanging objects swing. Lightfurniture shakes visibly in a few cases. Woodwork creaks in a few cases.
c) No damage.
V. Stronga) The earthquake is felt indoors by most, outdoors by few. A few people arefrightened and run outdoors. Many sleeping people awake. Observers feel a strong
shaking or rocking of the whole building, room or furniture.
b) Hanging objects swing considerably. China and glasses clatter together. Small,
top-heavy and/or precariously supported objects may be shifted or fall down.
Doors and windows swing open or shut. In a few cases, window panes break.
Liquids oscillate and may spill from well-filled containers. Animals indoors may
become uneasy.
c) Damage of grade 1 to a few buildings of vulnerability class A and B.
VI. Slightly damaginga) Felt by most indoors and by many outdoors. A few persons lose their balance.
Many people are frightened and run outdoors.

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March 2009b) Small objects of ordinary stability may fall and furniture may be shifted. In few
instances dishes and glassware may break. Farm animals (even outdoors) may befrightened.
c) Damage of grade 1 is sustained by many buildings of vulnerability class A and
B; a few of class A and B suffer damage of grade 2; a few of class C suffer
damage of grade 1.
VII. Damaginga) Most people are frightened and try to run outdoors. Many find it difficult tostand, especially on upper floors.
b) Furniture is shifted and top-heavy furniture may be overturned. Objects fallfrom shelves in large numbers. Water splashes from containers, tanks and pools.
c) Many buildings of vulnerability class A suffer damage of grade 3; a few ofgrade 4.
Many buildings of vulnerability class B suffer damage of grade 2; a few of grade 3.
A few buildings of vulnerability class C sustain damage of grade 2.
A few buildings of vulnerability class D sustain damage of grade 1.
VIII. Heavily damaginga) Many people find it difficult to stand, even outdoors.
b) Furniture may be overturned. Objects like TV sets, typewriters etc. fall to theground. Tombstones may occasionally be displaced, twisted or overturned. Waves
may be seen on very soft ground.
c) Many buildings of vulnerability class A suffer damage of grade 4; a few ofgrade 5.
Many buildings of vulnerability class B suffer damage of grade 3; a few of grade 4.
Many buildings of vulnerability class C suffer damage of grade 2; a few of grade 3.
A few buildings of vulnerability class D sustain damage of grade 2.
IX. Destructivea) General panic. People may be forcibly thrown to the ground.
b) Many monuments and columns fall or are twisted. Waves are seen on soft
ground.
c) Many buildings of vulnerability class A sustain damage of grade 5.
Many buildings of vulnerability class B suffer damage of grade 4; a few of grade 5.
Many buildings of vulnerability class C suffer damage of grade 3; a few of grade 4.
Many buildings of vulnerability class D suffer damage of grade 2; a few of grade 3.
A few buildings of vulnerability class E sustain damage of grade 2.
X. Very destructivec) Most buildings of vulnerability class A sustain damage of grade 5.
Many buildings of vulnerability class B sustain damage of grade 5.
Many buildings of vulnerability class C suffer damage of grade 4; a few of grade 5.
Many buildings of vulnerability class D suffer damage of grade 3; a few of grade 4.
Many buildings of vulnerability class E suffer damage of grade 2; a few of grade 3.
A few buildings of vulnerability class F sustain damage of grade 2.
XI. Devastatingc) Most buildings of vulnerability class B sustain damage of grade 5.
Most buildings of vulnerability class C suffer damage of grade 4; many of grade 5.
Many buildings of vulnerability class D suffer damage of grade 4; a few of grade 5.
Many buildings of vulnerability class E suffer damage of grade 3; a few of grade 4.
Many buildings of vulnerability class F suffer damage of grade 2; a few of grade 3.
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XII. Completely devastatingc) All buildings of vulnerability class A, B and practically all of vulnerability class
C are destroyed. Most buildings of vulnerability class D, E and F are destroyed.
The earthquake effects have reached the maximum conceivable effects.

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PART-IV
TRAINING PROGRAM FOR MASONS:HOW TO BUILD
EARTHQUAKE RESISTANT BUILDINGSBANGLADESH NETWORK OFFICE FORURBAN SAFETY (BNUS), BUET, DHAKA

Prepared by: Rajon Saha
Mehedi Ahmed Ansary109ICUS Report 33

INTRODUCTION

On the 16th October 2008, BNUS organized a three day training program particularly
for the masons. They were given theoretical knowledge about earthquake definition,
how it occurs, and earthquake history of Bangladesh, how to arrange and form special
reinforcement in beams and columns and slabs. Also knowledge on how to formhooks in stirrups, ties and bar splicing, earthquake resistant wall footings, single
footings, combined footings etc. were given. At the end of the training they appeared
for written exams. After the theoretical training they had also built a small structure
consisting of 10’ x 10’ small room providing earthquake resistant reinforcement withbase footing. Generally in Bangladesh masons do not have any idea about building
earthquake resistant buildings. They do not reinforce the partition walls and also how
to integrate it with the beam column. They were given knowledge about forming
collar in partition walls to give it stiffness and integrate it with the beam column toresist lateral force during earthquake. They were also given knowledge about placing
vertical rods in the partition walls. The knowledge of masons are very poor if wecompare it with earthquake resistant reinforcement specially in bending hooks instirrups and ties of beam and column. Also they were informed about quality control
and maintenance. At the end of the theoretical training they were given ideas about
how to retrofit previously built buildings such as the method of bolting, jacketing,beam column casing, split and bandage.

DETAIL INVESTIGATION

Masons are given idea about following ten chapters of the manual.
1. Earthquake and its cause
2. Site selection
3. Preparation of foundation
4. Building foundation of concrete buildings
5. Beam and column
6. Walls
7. Slab
8. Quality control and evaluation of work
9. Repair and maintenance
10. Retrofitting

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Figure 1: Masons conducting theoretical training

Figure 2: At the end of theoretical training

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At the end of theoretical training masons appeared for written exams and theirperformance was good.

Figure 3(a): Written exam is ongoing

Figure 3(b): At the end of written exam.
After the three day continuous training program written exam was taken. All thequestions were multiple choice question type. Their performance was very good.
After the three days long theoretical training masons started their practical training.

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The objective of the practical training is to build a 10’x10’ small room with beams,
columns and footings on ground. 10 mm, 12 mm and 16 mm rods are purchased forthe purpose. For stirrups and ties mainly 10 mm rods are used. For beam and column
12mm and 16mm rods are used. The whole structure was on the ground. At first,
stirrup and tie rods were bent. For bending of stirrups and ties, masons bent the rods at
135 degree angle. Actually they do the traditional bending of 90 degree which is not
acceptable. G.I. wires were used for attaching the rods with one another. Then footing
rods are prepared. Column rods are bent accordingly for joining them with the footing.
Masons attached column rods strongly with the footing rods. Tie spacing from thecolumn base is 100 mm c/c up to the grade beam and column joint. Stronger beamcolumn joint are generally expected for proper earthquake resistant reinforcement.

Figure 4: Bending of stirrups and tie rods.

Figure 5: Beam and column preparation.

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Figure 6: Beam and column fixing.

Figure 7: Preparation of the structure.
100 mm stirrup and tie spacing is strongly maintained at all beam and column joints.

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(a)

(b)

Figure 8: Final preparation.
At other places except the joints stirrup and tie spacing was 150 mm. Masons usedladder for fixing the top beam. Same as the grade beam stirrup spacing is maintained
at top beam.

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Figure 9: Completed structure

Figure 10: Structure was painted for easy understanding of critical zones

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PART-V

STRONG MOTION MONITORING SYSTEM
IN BANGLADESH(MAR 2008 - FEB 2009)

BANGLADESH NETWORK OFFICE FORURBAN SAFETY (BNUS), BUET, DHAKA

Prepared by: Md. Samsur Rahman
Mehedi Ahmed Ansary117

ICUS Report 33

INTRODUCTION

An earthquake is a sudden and violent motion of the earth usually caused by volcanic
eruption, plate tectonics, or man-made explosions which lasts for a short time, andwithin a very limited region. Most earthquakes last for less than a minute. The larger
earthquakes are followed by a series of after-shocks which also may be dangerous.
Volcanic eruption or plate tectonics is responsible for causing earthquakes. Also small
earthquakes can be caused by blasting, quarrying and mining. Man made earthquakes
are like underground nuclear explosions. But plate tectonics cause large number of big
earthquakes. Recently on August 22, 2008 an earthquake was recorded by the freefield stations Rangamati, Bandarban and Chittagong (Agrabad) at 07:42:55 hrs BST(13:42:55 hrs GMT,August 22, 2008). Magnitude of this earthquake was 4.9 anddepth 25 Km. Maximum acceleration of this earthquake in Chittagonj (Rahmatganj)
was 58.5964 cm/sec2 and it was in North-South directions. On another earthquake
July 27,2008 Mymensingh (Haluaghat) was recorded by the free-field stations at
Netrokona, Kishoreganj, Sherpur, Jamalpur, Hobiganj, Moulovibazar, Rangpur andNilphamari in the time of 12:52:58 hrs BST (18:52:58 hrs GMT, July 27, 2008).
Magnitude of this earthquake was 4.8 and depth was 44 Km. Maximum accelerationof this earthquake in Jamalpur was 54.3198 cm/sec2 and it was in North-South
direction. Last on January 06, 2009 an Earthquake (Tangail-Local Earthquake) wasrecorded by the free-field stations Jamuna-bridge east site, west site, Bogra andNatore at 22:03:32 hrs BST (16:03:32 hrs GMT, January 06, 2009). The 1897 Great
Indian earthquake with a magnitude of 8.7 is one of the strongest earthquakes in theworld, had its epicenter only 230 km from Dhaka. While the earthquake affected
almost whole of Bangladesh, damages were very severe particularly in Sylhet,
Rangpur, Dhaka and Mymensingh. In the city of Dhaka most of the brick masonrybuildings either collapsed or were severely damaged. The relationship between
magnitude, epicentral distance and peak ground acceleration of those earthquakes
constitute the basic parameter needed for assessing seismic hazard at a given site. The
purpose of this study is to present a predicting model for acceleration-attenuation forearthquakes in Bangladesh and its neighboring region. For this purpose, 34 analog
SMAs were recently deployed all over in Bangladesh. The Operating and Monitoring
Phase of the project has started on April 01, 2005.This accelerometer gives data inNorth-South, East-West and Up-Down direction. Then Fourier spectrum ratio(Horizontal to Vertical) for various free field stations are studied and compared. The
worldwide tendency of the people to concentrate more in urban areas increases theseismic risk, especially in the developing countries. This paper explains the main
steps of the process to estimate the distributions of the ground shaking intensity and of
the corresponding damage to structures. After collecting of earthquake data, it isnecessary to process this data by SCANVIEW PLUS software. Origin can be used toread from ASCII file input and to obtain corrected acceleration time history and Fast
Fourier Transform of data from various stations. The Strong Motion Accelerographmust be situated in the ground surface, soil condition to be hard or sandy soil. In casestudy there are two SMA-Instrument setup at the top slab in a 6th storied building andanother of the 11th storied building and that we are shown in difference between them.

OBJECTIVES

During the last two centuries, Bangladesh and its neighbouring region haveexperienced several large earthquakes. The peak ground acceleration of theseearthquakes has been estimated using different existing attenuation law. But for

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earthquake hazard analysis,
Bangladesh is required.

unified acceleration attenuation relationship for

The major objectives of the study are as follows:(a) To develop an acceleration based attenuation relationship for Bangladesh
and it’s surrounding region.
(b) To identify the factor involved in soil displacement for Ground Motion.

EARTHQUAKE AWARNESSCommunity Awareness Programs through meetings, seminars, workshops, posters
have been carried forward among community leaders and community people, local
NGOs, school teachers etc. to raise awareness and develop interest regarding
Earthquake Hazards. School and community based training programs and mockexercises have also been conducted to make people prepared and ensure their
participation at disaster period activities as well as post disaster actions.

EARTHQUAKE RECORDS

Recorded earthquakes with different accelerometer are listed bellow
 May 30, 2006 : Bay of Bengal Earthquake August 05, 2006 : Jessore Earthquake November 03, 2006 : Myanmar-India Earthquake November 10, 2006 : Bangladesh-India (Assam) Earthquake July 28, 2007: India-Myanmar Earthquake November 07, 2007: Bangladesh-Myanmar Earthquake (1) March 20, 2008: Modhupur Earthquake July 05, 2008: West-Bengal (Rajshahi) Earthquake July 27, 2008: Haluahhat (Mymensingh) Earthquake August 23, 2008: Bangladesh-Myanmar Earthquake (2) January 06, 2009: Tangail (Local) Earthquake
As a result of continuous monitoring in the four year of the monitoring phase, tenearthquake has been detected at the SMA site. At first on May 30, 2006, a small
earthquake was recorded at 19:43:51 hrs BST, (13:43:51 hrs GMT, May 30, 2006) at
the Chittagong site and Name of Earthquake Bay of Bengal earthquake. Its Magnitude
was 4.7 and depth was 29Km. This is the first earthquake recorded by the stations
since their installation. Epicentre of this earthquake lies close to the SMA site. Last on
January 06, 2009 an Earthquake (Tangail-Local Earthquake) was recorded by thefree-field stations Jamuna-bridge east site, west site, Bogra and Natore at 22:03:32 hrs
BST (16:03:32 hrs GMT, January 06, 2009). The recorded SMA sites Chittagong(Rahmatganj), Bandarban and Rangamati. Its Magnitute was 4.9 and depth was 25
Km. Maximum acceleration of this earthquake in Chittagong (Rahmatganj) was
58.5964 cm/sec.2 and it was in North-South direction.
4.1 May 30, 2006: Bay of Bengal earthquake: On May 30, 2006 an earthquake wasrecorded by the free-field stations Cox’s bazar at 19:43:51 hrs BST (13:43:51 hrs
GMT, May 30, 2006). Its latitude was 22.60ºN and longitude was 91.94ºE This
earthquake occurred in the Bay of Bengal. Agrabad and Rahamatganj free-fieldstations also recorded this event. Magnitude of this earthquake was 4.7 and depth was
29 Km. Maximum acceleration of this earthquake at Cox’s bazar was 16.5989
cm/sec.2 and it was in North-South direction.
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4.2 August 05, 2006: Jessore earthquake: On August 05, 2006 an earthquake wasrecorded by the free-field stations Meherpur at 14:42:51 hrs BST (08:42:51 hrs GMT,
August 05, 2006). This earthquake occurred in the Jessore. Its latitude was 23.10ºN
and Longitude was 89.20ºE Sathkhira free-field stations also recorded this event. Its
Magnitude 4.0 and depth was 15 Km. Maximum acceleration of this earthquake in
Meherpur was 24.3526 cm/sec.2 and it was in North-South direction.
4.3 November 03, 2006: Myanmar-India earthquake: On November 03, 2006 an
earthquake was recorded by the free-field stations Cox’s bazar, Chittagong(Rahmatganj), Bandarban, Rangamati and Khagrachari at 18:45:58 hrs BST (12:45:58
hrs GMT, November 03, 2006). Its latitude was 22ºN and longitude was 93.30ºE This
earthquake occurred in the Myanmar-India. Magnitude of this earthquake was 5.2 anddepth was 33 Km. Maximum acceleration of this earthquake in Chittagong(Rahmatganj) was 34.565 cm/sec.2 and it was in East-West direction.
4.4 November 10, 2006: Bangladesh-India (Assam) earthquake: On November,2006 an earthquake was recorded by the free-field stations Sylhet at 07:32:45 hrs BST(13:32:45 hrs GMT, November 10, 2006). This earthquake occurred in BangladeshIndia (Assam). Sunamganj, Moulovibazar and Hobiganj free-field stations had also
recorded this event. Magnitude of this earthquake was 5.0 and depth was 33 Km.
Maximum acceleration of this earthquake in Cox’s bazar was 34.5989 cm/sec.2 and it
was in North-South direction.
4.5 July 28, 2007: India-Mynmar earthquake: On July 28, 2007 an earthquake wasrecorded by the free-field stations Rangamati at 08:25:50 hrs BST (14:25:50 hrs GMT,
July 28, 2007). This earthquake occurred in the Rangamati, Bandarban, Khagrachariand Chittagong (Rahmatganj) this event. Magnitude of this earthquake was 4.8 anddepth was 32 Km. Maximum acceleration of this earthquake in Rangamati was
30.1254cm/sec.2 and it was in East-West direction.
4.6 November 07, 2007: Bangladesh-Mynmar earthquake (1): On November 07,
2007 an earthquake was recorded by the free-field stations Bandarban at 12:42:58 hrs
BST (06:42:58hrs GMT, November 07, 2007). This earthquake occurred in the
Rangamati, Bandarban, Khagrachari, Coxsbazar and Chittagong (Rahmatganj) thisevent. Magnitude of this earthquake was 5.3 and depth was 25 Km. Maximum
acceleration of this earthquake in Bandarban was -95.8806cm/sec.2 and it was inNorth-South direction.
4.7 March 20, 2008: Modhupur earthquake: On March 20, 2008 an earthquake
was recorded by the free-field stations Airport Hazicamp and jamalpur at 07:30:50 hrs
BST (13:30:50 hrs GMT, March 20, 2008). Magnitude of this earthquake was 4.2 anddepth was 25 Km. Maximum acceleration of this earthquake in Jamalpur was
32.2265cm/sec.2 and it was in North-South direction.
4.8 July 05, 2008: West-Bengal (Rajshahi) earthquake: On July 05, 2008 an
earthquake was recorded by the free-field stations Chapai-Nawabganj at 10:55:58 hrs
BST (16:55:58 hrs GMT, July 05, 2008). Magnitude of this earthquake was 4.1 anddepth was 29 Km. Maximum acceleration of this earthquake in Chapai-Nawabganj
was -42.9893 cm/sec.2 and it was in East-West direction.

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4.9 July 27, 2008: Haluaghat earthquake: On July 27, 2008 an earthquake wasrecorded by the free-field stations Netrokona, Kishoreganj, sherpur, jamalpur,
Hobiganj, Rangpur and Nilphamari at 12:55:58 hrs BST (18:52:58 hrs GMT, July 27,2008). Magnitude of this earthquake was 4.8 and depth was 44 Km. Maximum
acceleration of this earthquake in Jamalpur was 54.3198 cm/sec.2 and it was in NorthSouth direction.
4.10 August 23, 2008: Bangladesh-Myanmar Earthquake (2): On August 23,
2008 an earthquake was recorded by the free-field stations Rangamati, Bandarban andChittagong (Agrabad) at 07:42:55 hrs BST (13:42:55 hrs GMT, August 23, 2008).
Magnitude of this earthquake was 4.9 and depth was 25 Km. Maximum accelerationof this earthquake in Chittagonj (Rahmatganj) was 58.5964 cm/sec.2 and it was inNorth-South direction.
4.11 January 06, 2009: Tangail (Local) Earthquake: On January 06, 2009 an
earthquake was recorded by the free-field stations Jamuna Bridge East site, West site,
Bogra and Natore at 22:03:32 hrs BST (16:03:32 hrs GMT, August 23, 2008).
Magnitude of this earthquake was 4.0 and depth was 10 Km. Maximum accelerationof this earthquake in Jamuna bridge east site was 19.72705 cm/sec.2 and it was in
East-West direction. Time history of ground motion are shown in Appendix-A andlast SMAs monitoring schedule are shown in Appendix-B.

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Figure1: SMAs-Location map of the study

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March 2009RAJSHAHITANGAIL
Meherpur

MODHUPU
H-GHATR

Sunamganj
SylhetBDIDASAM
Mouluvibazar
Hobiganj

Khagrachari Hill Tracts

BDIDJESORIDMR
Rangamati
BDMR
Chittagong, Rahamatg
Bandarban
MRID

Satkhira

Cox's Bazar

BBEN

Figure 2: Name of earthquake and Location of SMAs was recorded at free-field station

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23.10ºN

05.08.2006

03.11.2006

10.11.2006

28.07.2007

Mynmar-India

BangladeshIndia (Assam)

India-Mynmar

22.80ºN

07.11.2007

92.60ºE

124

5.3

4.2

Bangladesh-91.20ºE

23.60ºN

20.03.2008

Modhupur

4.8

5.0

5.2

4.0

4.7

Occurrence Latitude Longitude
Magnitude
date(deg.)(deg.)

92.60ºE

92.20ºE

93.30ºE

89.20ºE

91.94ºE

Name of theearthquake

22.80ºN

24.60ºN

22ºN

20.60ºN

30.05.2006

Occurrence Latitude Longitude
Magnitude
date(deg.)(deg.)Bay of Bengal
JessoreName of theearthquake

15

25

Depth
(km)

15

33

33

15

29

Depth
(km)

96.0

32.0

Recorded site

Maximum
recorded
acceleration(cm/sec2)

Airport Hazicamp ,jamalpur
and Serajganj Jamuna
Bridge east end and west
end.
Rahamatganj, Bandarbhan,
Khagrachari,Cox’sbazar

Rahamatganj, Bandarbhan,
Khagrachari and Rangamati

Sylhet, Sunamganj,
Moulovibazar and Hobiganj

Rahamatganj, Coxbazar,
Bandanbhan, Khagrachariand Rangamati

Meherpur and Sathkhira

Agrabad, Rahamatganj andCoxbazar

Recorded site

32.0

34.0

34.0

24.0

16.0

Maximum
recorded
acceleration(cm/sec2)

Table 1: Summary of recorded earthquake events with different accelerometer are shows in below

ICUS Report 33

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24.39ºN

89.75ºE

125

4.0

4.9
10

25

44

19.72705

58.596454.3198

06.01.2009

92.60ºE

4.8

Tangail (Local)

22.80ºN

91.20ºE

22.08.2008

23.60ºN

Jamuna-bridge East site,West site, Bogra and Natore

Sherpur, Jamalpur,
Netrokona, Kishoreganj,
Hobiganj, Rangpur andNilphamari
Rangamati, Bandarban andChittagong(Rahmatganj)

BangladeshMyanmar (2)42.989327.07.2008

29

Haluaghat(Mymensingh)

4.1

Chapai-nawabganj

88.5ºE05.07.2008

West-Bengal(Rajshahi)
24.4ºNand Rangamati

Myanmar (1)March 2009

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Table 2: Summary of ground motion in free field stations due to Bay of Bengal Earthquake
on May 30, 2006
DerivedMax. Peak
LatitudeTime
GroundStation ID#
Channel
Date
&
(GMT)
Acceleration
Longitude(cm/sec2 )EWCox’s-bazar

Chittagong
Rahmatganj

Chittagong
Agrabad30.05.2006

13:43:51

4.9
20.60ºN
91.94ºE

UD

30.05.2006

13:43:51

NS

30.05.2006

13:43:51

14.5

EW

30.05.2006

13:43:51

8.8

UD

30.05.2006

13:43:51

NS

30.05.2006

13:43:51

EW

30.05.2006

13:43:51

UD

30.05.2006

13:43:51

NS

30.05.2006

13:43:51

22.36ºN
91.754ºE

13.5

23.5
14.8
7.2

22.36ºN
91.754ºE

11.3
8.0

Note. EW represents East-West direction,
UD represents Vertical direction
NS represents North-South direction

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Table 3: Summary of ground motion in free field stations due to Mynmar-India
Earthquake on July 28, 2007
Station ID#

Channel

Date

Time
(GMT)

Latitude&Longitude

28.07.2007

14:25:50

22.36ºN
91.754ºE

EW
Chittagonj
Rahmatganj

UD
NS

UD

28.07.2007

14:25:50

23.073ºN
91.932ºE

Rangamati

28.07.2007

14:25:50

22.636ºN
92.184ºE-9.3788
26.5455

EW
UD-13.4388

30.1251

NS

Bandarban-24.03717.4021NS
EW
UD

7.450322.631EW
Khagrachari

Derived Max.
Peak
GroundAcceleration(cm/sec2 )30.1234-27.7955
28.07.2007

NS

14:25:50

22.19ºN
92.211ºE

27.924127.8693Note. EW represents East-West direction
UD represents Vertical direction
NS represents North-South direction

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Table 4 Summary of ground motion in free field stations due to India-Myanmar Earthquake
on November 07, 2007

Station ID#

Channel

Time
(GMT)

Date

Latitude&Longitude

EW

Chittagonj
Rahmatganj

UD70.812707.11.2007

07:42:58

22.36ºN
91.754ºE

NSUD-54.2329

61.098EW

Bandarban

Derived Max.
Peak
GroundAcceleration(cm/sec2 )93.8406

07.11.2007

NS

07:42:58

22.19ºN
92.211ºE-79.0933-95.8806

Note. EW represents East-West direction
UD represents Vertical direction
NS represents North-South direction

128

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March 2009

Table 5: Summary of ground motion in free field stations due to Modhupur Earthquake
on March 20, 2008
Derived Max.
Peak
LatitudeTime
GroundStation ID#
Channel
Date
&
(GMT)
Acceleration
Longitude(cm/sec2 )EW
Airport Hazicamp

UD14.07720.03.2008

07:30:50

24.36ºN
90.754ºE

NS-23.3316

EW
JamalpurUD-16.2078
20.03.2008

07:30:50

23.19ºN
89.94ºE

NS

Serajganj
Jamuna Bridge
West-End siteUD

-27.450-32.2265

EW
Serajganj
Jamuna Bridge
East-End site

-9.7784-14.05202
20.03.2008

07:30:50

24.56ºN
92.32ºE-5.68216

NS-8.18763

EW-16.29742

UD

20.03.2008

NS

07:30:50

24.56ºN
92.32ºE

4.63804-14.74256

Note. EW represents East-West direction
UD represents Vertical direction
NS represents North-South direction

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Table 6: Summary of ground motion in free field stations due to (Haluaghat) - Mymensingh
Earthquake on July 27, 2008
Derived Max.
Peak
LatitudeTime
GroundStation ID#
Channel
Date
&
(GMT)
Acceleration
Longitude(cm/sec2 )EW
SherpurUD-10.9215
27.07.2008

18:52:58

23.25ºN
89.64ºE

NS-38.4383

EW
JamalpurUD-32.410827.07.2008

18:52:58

23.19ºN
89.94ºENS

Kishoreganj

UD-6.3360
29.1048

EW
Netrokona

6.4647-10.2193
27.07.2008

18:52:58

23.15ºN
8924ºE

22.8482NS

9.7069EW-9.1392UD

27.07.2008

NS

18:52:58

23.01ºN
89.14ºE

9.053-18.0918

Note. EW represents East-West direction
UD represents Vertical direction
NS represents North-South direction

130

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March 2009

Table 7: Summary of ground motion in free field stations due to Rajshahi (Local)
Earthquake July 05, 2008
Derived Max.
Peak
LatitudeTime
GroundStation ID#
Channel
Date
&
(GMT)
Acceleration
Longitude(cm/sec2 )EW
ChapaiNawabganj

UD-42.9893
05.07.2008

16:55:58

24.4ºN
88.5ºENS

24.1283

EW
HobiganjUD

15.396427.07.2008
18:52:58

NS

23.19ºN
89.94ºE

NilphamariUD

5.135011.3501

EW
Rangpur

22.7635-30.915527.07.2008

18:52:58

24.56ºN
92.32ºE-10.3673

NS-35.8158

EW-20.3333

UD

27.07.2008

NS

18:52:58

24.56ºN
92.32ºE-6.2455-24.3198

Note. EW represents East-West direction
UD represents Vertical direction
NS represents North-South direction

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Table 8: Summary of ground motion in free field stations due to Bangladesh-Myanmar
Earthquake-2 on August 23, 2008

Station ID#

Channel

Time
(GMT)

Date

Latitude&Longitude

EW
RangamatiUD

18.6082

23.08.2008

13:42:55

24.36ºN
90.754ºE

NSUD-13.0285
23.08.2008

13:42:55

23.19ºN
89.94ºE

NS

UD-6.1549
45.4263

EW
Chittagong(Rahmatganj)

6.4106-50.075

EW
Bandarban

Derived Max.
Peak
GroundAcceleration(cm/sec2 )20.849323.08.2008

NS

13:42:55

24.56ºN
92.32ºE-6.5376
58.5964Note. EW represents East-West direction
UD represents Vertical direction
NS represents North-South direction

132

125

March 2009

Table 9: Summary of ground motion in free field stations due to Tangail (Local) Earthquake
on January 06, 2009
Derived Max.
Peak
LatitudeTime
GroundStation ID#
Channel
Date
&
(GMT)
Acceleration
Longitude(cm/sec2 )17.4063

EW

Jamuna-bridge
East-siteUD

06.01.2009

22:03:32

24.39ºN
89.80ºE-16.1617

NS
EW

Jamuna-bridge
West-site-18.3281

UD
NS

06.01.2009

22:03:32

24.39ºN
89.75ºE

NatoreUD-6.3768-19.7205-3.03319

EW

Bogra

-9.796406.01.2009

22:03:32

23.96ºN
89.02ºE-202147NS

2.9243EW

2.4357UD

06.01.2009

22:03:32

23.7ºN89.52ºE

1.61861.4875NS

Note. EW represents East-West direction
UD represents Vertical direction
NS represents North-South direction

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The summary of recorded earthquake events and the description of those earthquakes areshown in Table 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and Table10. Earthquake time period (duration) ofdifferent location of instrumentation.
Table 10: Earthquake time period (duration) of different location of instrumentation
Station ID#

Latitude & Longitude

Time period (sec.)

Bay of Bengal Earthquake

20.60ºN
91.94ºE

22

Jessore Earthquake

23.10ºN
89.20ºE

18

Myanmar-India Earthquake

22ºN
93.30ºE

1724.60ºN
92.20ºE

1622.80ºN
92.60ºE25

22.80ºN
92.60ºE

21

Modhupur Earthquake

24.36ºN
90.754ºE

20

West-Bengal (Rajshahi)

24.4ºN
88.5ºE

18

Mymensingh (Haluaghat)

24.16ºN
90.65ºE

1522.80ºN
92.60ºE

17

24.39ºN
89.75ºE

16

Bangladesh-India (Assam)
Earthquake
India-Myanmar Earthquake
Bangladesh-Myanmar
Earthquake (1)Bangladesh-Myanmar
Earthquake (2)Serajganj (Local) Earthquake

134

127

March 2009

CONCLUSION

The first earthquake recorded by SMAs was the Bay of Bengal Earthquake (1) on May 30,
2006. Recently on August 22, 2008 an earthquake was recorded by the free-field stations
Rangamati, Bandarban and Chittagong (Rahmatganj)) at 07:42:55 hrs BST (13:42:55 hrs
GMT, August 22, 2008) with the name of Bangladesh-Myanmar Earthquake. On January 06,
2009 another Earthquake (Tangail-Local Earthquake) was recorded by the free-field stations
Jamuna-bridge east site, west site, Bogra and Natore at 22:03:32 hrs BST (16:03:32 hrs GMT,
January 06, 2009). By recording this earthquake events, the installation of the earthquake
monitoring system for Bangladesh entered in to an interesting stage. The earthquake, which
was a minor one, is estimated to be located close to the SMA site. This paper presents
analysis results of that particular earthquake data recorded by three free-field stations namely,
Chittagong (Rahmatganj), Rangamati and Bandarban. After installation of the system so far
ten earthquakes were recorded. It is hoped that the system will yield valuable data to the local
researchers to have better ideas on the performance of the SMA sites as well as seismic
activities of the whole region. For the next few years compilation of such earthquake data isneeded to develop the attenuation law for Bangladesh. This attenuation law will help us todevelop the seismic zonation map for Bangladesh.

REFERENCES
1. Ansary, M.A. and M. Ali (2001). Seismic Risk of Dhaka City and Role of the Insurance
Community, 5th Asia-Pacific Risk and Insurance Association (APRIA) Conference, July
15-18, 2001, Bengalore, India.
2. Ansary, M. A, Rahman, S.M (2007). “Strong Motion Monitoring System in
Bangladesh” Second International Earthquake Symposium, December 9-10 DhakaBangladesh.
3. BNBC (1993). Bangladesh National Building Code, HBRI-BSTI.
4. Hudson, D.E. (1979). Reading and Interpreting Strong Motion Accelerograms, EERI,
USA. KMI User’s Manual (1997). SMA SCANVIEW PLUS - scanner-based software forfilm accelerogram digitization.
5. Morgan, J. P. and McIntire. (1959). Quaternary geology of Bengal basin, East Pakistan
and India, Bulletin of Geological society of America, Volume 70, pp. 319-342.
6. Oldham, R.D. (1899). Report on the Srimangal Earthquake of 12th June 1918, Memoir ofGeological Survey of India, Volume 29, pp.1-349.
7. SMA-Report-01 (March 2005). Installation of an Earthquake Monitoring system for
Bangladesh
8. SMA-Report-02 (April 2006). Installation of an Earthquake Monitoring system for
Bangladesh
9. SMA-Report-03 (March 2007). Installation of an Earthquake Monitoring system for
Bangladesh
10. SMA-Report-04 (August 2007). Installation of an Earthquake Monitoring system for
Bangladesh
11. SMA-Report-05 (December 2007). Installation of an Earthquake Monitoring system for
Bangladesh
12. SMA-Report-06 (March 2008). Installation of an Earthquake Monitoring system for
BBangladesh
13. SMA-Report-07 (August 2008) Installation of an Earthquake Monitoring system for
Bangladesh

128

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ICUS Report 33

APPENDIX-A
Time history of ground motion at free field stationsin the last five earthquakes between MAR 2008 and FEB 2009

136

129

-40

0

40

-40

0

0

0

45

-40

0

40

0

Time (s)Airport Hazicamp-UD

March 20,2008: Modhupur EQ, Ms=4.2

45

2

-40

0

40

0

Time (s)Airport Hazicamp-NS

March 20,2008: Modhupur EQ, Ms=4.2

Jamalpur-EW

20

-40

0

40

0

Jamalpur-UD

Time (s)March 20,2008: Modhupur EQ, Ms=4.2

20

-40

0

40

0

Jamalpur-NS

Time (s)March 20,2008: Modhupur EQ, Ms=4.2

137

Figure 2: Time history of Jamalpur free-field station during the Modhupur Earthquake of March 20, 2008

Time (s)March 20,2008: Modhupur EQ, Ms=4.2

Figure 1: Time history of Airport Hazicamp free-field station during the Modhupur Earthquake of March 20, 2008

Time (s)Airport Hazicamp-EW

March 20,2008: Modhupur EQ, Ms=4.2

2
2

2

2

Acceleration (cm/s )Acceleration (cm/s )Acceleration (cm/s )Acceleration (cm/s )Acceleration (cm/s )2

130
Acceleration (cm/s )

40

20

45

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1

-40

0

40

-40

0

0

2

-40

0

40

0

Time (s)Jamuna Bridge East-end-UD

March 20, Modhupur EQ, Ms=4.2

45

-40

0

40

0

Time (s)Jamuna Bridge East-end-NS

March 20, Modhupur EQ, Ms=4.2

45

-40

0

40

0

Time (s)Jamuna Bridge West-end-UD

March 20, Modhupur EQ, Ms=4.2

45
1

-40

0

40

0

Time (s)Jamuna Bridge West-end-NS

March 20, Modhupur EQ, Ms=4.2

138

Figure 4: Time history of Jamuna Bridge west-end free-field station during the Modhupur Earthquake of March 20, 2008

Time (s)Jamuna Bridge West-end-EW

March 20, Modhupur EQ, Ms=4.2

Figure 3: Time history of Jamuna Bridge east-end free-field station during the Modhupur Earthquake of March 20, 2008

Time (s)45

20Jamuna Bridge East-end-EW

March 20, Modhupur EQ, Ms=4.2

Acceleration (cm/s )Acceleration (cm/s )

2

2

2

2

Acceleration (cm/s )Acceleration (cm/s )Acceleration (cm/s )Acceleration (cm/s )

40

45

45

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-40

-20

0

20

40

-50

-25

0

25

0

03

-50

-25

0

25

50

0

Time (s)Chapai-nawabganj-UD

July 05, 2008: West Bengal EQ, Ms=4.1

25

2

04

-50

-25

0

25

50

0

Time (s)Chapai-nawabganj-NS

July 05, 2008: West Bengal EQ, Ms=4.1

Tim e (s)

20

-40

-20

0

20

0

Ja m alp u r-U D

T im e (s)20

Ju ly 2 7,2 00 8: H a lua g ha t (M ym e nsin g h) E Q , M s = 4.8

30

-40

-20

0

20

40

139

25

0

Jamalpur-NS

Time (s)20

July 27,2008: Haluaghat (Mymensingh) EQ, Ms=4.8

Figure 6: Time history of Jamalpur free-field station during the Haluaghat (Mymensingh) Earthquake of July 27, 2008

Jam alpur-EW

40

Figure 5: Time history of Chapai-Nawabganj free-field station during the West-Bengal (Rajshahi) Earthquake of July 05, 2008

Time (s)25

July 27,2008: Haluaghat (M ym ensingh) EQ, M s =4.8

0Chapai-nawabganj-EW

July 05, 2008: West Bengal EQ, M s=4.1
2
2

2

2

Acceleration (cm/s )Acceleration (cm/s )Acceleration (cm/s )Acceleration (cm/s )Acceleration (cm/s )2

132
Acceleration (cm/s )50

March 2009

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-40

-20

0

20

40

-40

-20

0

0

02

-40

-20

0

20

40

0

Sherpur-UD

Time (s)20

July 27,2008: Haluaghat (Mymensingh) EQ, M s =4.8

-40

-20

0

20

40

0

Time (s)Sherpur-NS

Time (s)

20

-40

-20

0

20

Netrokona-UD

Time (s)20

July 27,2008: Haluaghat (Mymensingh) EQ, Ms=4.8

-40

-20

0

20

40

0

Netrokona-NS

Time (s)140

20

July 27,2008: Haluaghat (Mymensingh) EQ, Ms=4.8

Figure 8: Time history of Netrokona free-field station during the Haluaghat (Mymensingh) Earthquake on July 27, 2008

Netrokona-EW

40

20

July 27,2008: Haluaghat (Mymensingh) EQ, Ms=4.8

Figure 7: Time history of Sherpur free-field station during the Haluaghat (Mymensingh) Earthquake on July 27, 2008

Time (s)20

July 27,2008: Haluaghat (Mymensingh) EQ, M s=4.8

0

2

2

20

Sherpur-EW

July 27,2008: Haluaghat (Mym ensingh) EQ, M s =4.8

Acceleration (cm/s )Acceleration (cm/s )

2

2

2

2

Acceleration (cm/s )Acceleration (cm/s )Acceleration (cm/s )Acceleration (cm/s )40

ICUS Report 33

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-40

-20

0

20

40

-40

-20

0

20

0

-40

-20

0

20

0

Kishorganj-UD

Time (s)20

July 27, 2008: Haluaghat (Mymensingh) EQ, Ms=4.9

40
2

-40

-20

0

20

40

0

Kishorganj-NS

Time (s)Time (s)

20

-40

-20

0

20

0

Hobiganj-UD

Time (s)20

July 27,2008: Haluaghat (Mymensingh) EQ, Ms=4.8

-40

-20

0

20

0

H obiganj-N S

Tim e (s)141

20

July 27,2008: H aluaghat (M ym ensingh) EQ , M s =4.8
40

Figure 10: Time history of Hobiganj free-field station during the Haluaghat (Mymensingh) Earthquake on July 27, 2008

Hobiganj-EW

40

20

July 27, 2008: Haluaghat (Mymensingh) EQ, M s=4.9

Figure 9: Time history of Kishoreganj free-field station during the Haluaghat (Mymensingh) Earthquake on July 27, 2008

Time (s)20

July 27,2008: Haluaghat (Mymensingh) EQ, Ms=4.80Kisoorganj-EW

July 27, 2008: Haluaghat (Mymensingh) EQ, Ms=4.9
2
2

2

2

Acceleration (cm/s )Acceleration (cm/s )Acceleration (cm/s )Acceleration (cm/s )Acceleration (cm/s )2

134
Acceleration (cm/s )40

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0

20

40

60

0

Time (s)

15

-60

-40

-20

0

20

40

0

Time (s)CTG (Rahamatganj)-UD

15

2

04

-60

-40

-20

0

20

40

60

0

Acceleration (cm/s )2Time (s)20

Acceleration (cm/s )

2

-60

-40

-20

0

20

40

60

0

Time (s)15

CTG (Rahamatganj)-NS

August 23, 2008: Bangladesh-Myanmar EQ, Ms=4.9

-60

-40

-20

0

20

40

60

0

Rangamati-UD

Time (s)20

August 23, 2008: Bangladesh-Myanmar EQ, Ms=4.9

-60

-40

-20

0

20

40

0

Time (s)Rangamati-NS

142

20

August 23, 2008: Bangladesh-Myanmar EQ, M s=4.9
60

Figure 12: Time history of Rangamati free-field station during the Bangladesh-Myanmar Earthquake (2) on August 23, 2008

Rangamati-EW

August 23, 2008: Bangladesh-Myanmar EQ, Ms=4.9

2

Figure 11: Time history of Chittagong (Rahmatganj) free-field station during the Bangladesh-Myanmar Earthquake (2) on August 23, 2008

-60

-40

CTG (Rahamatganj)-EW

August 23, 2008: Bangladesh-Myanmar EQ, Ms=4.9

60

Acceleration (cm/s )Acceleration (cm/s )

2

2

-20

Acceleration (cm/s )Acceleration (cm/s )August 23, 2008: Bangladesh-Myanmar EQ, Ms=4.9

ICUS Report 33

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-20

-10

0

10

20

06

-60

-30

0

30

0

0

Time (s)

10

15

20

-60

-30

0

30

0

Bandarban-UD

Time (s)20

August 23, 2008: Bangladesh-Myanmar EQ, Ms=4.9

60
2

-60

-30

0

30

60

0

Bandarban-NS

Time (s)January 06,2009: Serajganj EQ: Ms=4.0

60

-20

-10

0

10

20

0

January 06,2009: Serajganj EQ: Ms=4.0

Time (Sec)30Time History:UD-Jamuna Bridge East-end

60

-20

-10

0

10

20

0

January 06,2009:Serajganj EQ: Ms=4.0

Time (sec)30Time History:NS-Jamuna Bridge East-end

143

Figure14: Time history of Jamuna Bridge Eest-end free-field station during the Tangail Earthquake on January 06, 2009

Time (Sec)30Time History: Jamuna Bridge East-end Site

60

20

August 23, 2008: Bangladesh-Myanmar EQ, Ms=4.9

Figure 13: Time history of Rangamati free-field station during the Bangladesh-Myanmar Earthquake (2) on August 23, 2008

5

Bandarban-EW

August 23, 2008: Bangladesh-Myanmar EQ, M s=4.9
2
2

2

2

Acceleration (cm/s )Accleration (cm/sec )Acceleration (cm/s )Accleration (Cm/Sec )Acceleration (cm/s )2136
Accleration (cm/sec )60

March 2009

BNUS Annual Report-2008

-20

-10

0

10

20

-2 0

-1 0

0

0

0

30

60

-2 0

-1 0

0

10

20

0

J a n u a ry 0 6 ,2 0 0 9 : S e ra jg a n j E Q : M s = 4 .0

T im e (s e c )30

T im e H is to ry -U D : J a m u n a B rid g e w s e t-e n d

60

-2 0

-1 0

0

10

20

0

J a n u a ry 0 6 ,2 0 0 9 : S e ra jg a n j E Q : M s = 4 .0

T im e (s e c )30

T im e H is to ry -N S : J a m u n a B rid g e W e s t-e n d

60

-20

-10

0

10

20

0

Time (sec)30Time History:UD-Bogra

January 06,2009: Serajganj EQ: Ms=4.0

60

-20

-10

0

10

20

0

Tim e (sec)30

T im e H iostory:N S -B ogra

January 06,2009: Serajganj EQ : M s=4.0

144

Figure 16: Time history of Bogra free-field station during the Tangail Earthquake on January 06, 2009

Tim e (sec)30

T im e H istory: E W -B o gra

January 06,2009: S erajganj EQ : M s=4.0

Figure 15: Time history of Jamuna Bridge West-end free-field station during the Tangail Earthquake on January 06, 2009

T im e (s e c )

2

2

10

T im e H is to ry -E W :J a m u n a B rid g e W e s t-e n d

J a n u a ry 0 6 ,2 0 0 9 : S e ra jg a n j E Q : M s = 4 .0

Accleration (cm/sec )Accleration (Cm/sec )

2

2

2
2

Accleration (cm/sec )Accleration (cm/sec )Accleration (cm/sec )Accleration (cm/sec )

20

60

60

ICUS Report 33

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138

-20

-10

0

10

20

0

60

-20

-10

0

10

20

0

Tim e (sec)30

Tim e H istory: U D -N atore

January 06,2009: Serajganj EQ : M s=4.0

60

Accleration (cm/sec )2

Accleration (cm/sec )

2

-2 0

-1 0

0

10

20

0

T im e (s e c )30

T im e H is to ry: N S -N a to re

J a n u a ry 0 6 ,2 0 0 9 : S e ra jg a n j E Q : M s = 4 .0

145

Figure17: Time history of Natore free-field station during the Tangail Earthquake on January 06, 2009

Time (sec)30Time History:EW -Natore

January 06,2009: Serajganj EQ: Ms=4.060

March 2009

BNUS Annual Report-2008

Accleration(cm/sec )2

PART-VI
RETHINKING THE PUBLIC BUILDING
AS POST DISASTER SHELTER:
IN THE CONTEXT OF OLD DHAKABANGLADESH NETWORK OFFICE FORURBAN SAFETY (BNUS), BUET, DHAKA

Prepared by: Md. Yousuf Reza
Israt Jahan
Mehedi Ahmed Ansary147

ICUS Report 33

ABSTRACT

Earthquake risk is prominent in a disaster prone country like Bangladesh. A strong
earthquake will affect major urban centers like Dhaka. Damage and destructions will bemassive in proportion & will create disastrous consequences for the entire country. It istherefore essential to be prepared for possible earthquake threats and to take appropriate
measures to minimize possible losses and damages. This would help to develop rational
mitigation measures for minimizing the adverse impacts of earthquakes. To reduce
earthquake vulnerability in urban areas as well as to save human lives, property etc. We needto set up earthquake preparedness plan or strategies for earthquake protection. Highly dense
urban areas like old Dhaka are experiencing physical vulnerability like existence ofvulnerable built environment, narrow street pattern, poor infrastructures etc. Thus several
hundred peoples are living a insecure life. A proper guideline is needed to reduce thedestructions. On this regard to post disaster situation shelters & other facilities are needed.
For these purpose public buildings at neighborhood level like schools, religious buildings,
community centers, hospitals etc. can serve the dual purpose and these places could be usedas post disaster shelters. This paper aims to analyze the existing condition & location of thesepublic buildings in old Dhaka according to earthquake vulnerability and various measuresthat can be taken to use these buildings as workable post disaster shelters and how we can
improve both quality and quantity of open spaces regarding street pattern, communication &necessities. So to make better dual use of these public buildings we need to either retrofit
them or demolish them by redesigning.

INTRODUCTION

Old Dhaka with several hundred years urban settlements have thousands of people. They areliving a precarious life at awfully dilapidated buildings in congested manner. Over the periodof time old Dhaka is becoming denser. Lack of open spaces & narrow road width became themain reason for many natural disasters like earthquakes. Poor infrastructures & vulnerable
buildings caused most serious threat of collapse at old Dhaka. So disasters like earthquake
will cause a severe damage to this area because at post disaster situation people will be either
inside the rubbles of tumbled building or will not be able to reach any post disaster shelters.
As this total area is devoid of proper open spaces and public buildings are at very poor
condition so people of this area have no proper option for post disaster shelters. An organizedpolicy will make a proper dual use for these public buildings & thus these buildings willserve proper during post disaster situation.

EARTHQUAKE RISK & LOSS REDUCTION ACTIVITIES DURING
DIFFERENT PHASES OF THE DISASTER CYCLE

Mitigation:o Encouragement of the private sector, communities and individuals to consider thehazard vulnerability implications of their own actions and decisions, both directly forthemselves and society.
o Encouragement of the insurance industry to offer reduced catastrophic insurance
premiums to domestic property and commercial policy holders who have
implemented sufficient structural mitigation measures.

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Preparedness:o Sustained investment in scientific monitoring and dissemination activities, including
the provision of public information in an easily understood and usable form. This may
require international, regional and national funding, human resources and politicalcommitment to co-operate.
o Strengthening of government, NGO and community disaster-preparedness capacity tofacilitate rapid and effective emergency response, including training of personnel andstockpiling of supplies.
o Institutional preparedness, ensuring that adequate disaster preparedness andresponse plans are in place, clearly outlining the roles and functions not only of
government but also of civil society and private -sector organizations.
o Fully operational and effective early warning and evacuation systems, including theequipment and training of local volunteers.
o Construction and maintenance of evacuation shelters.
Detailed focus on urban design to reduce risk at post disaster situation:o It is commonsense that land areas over active faults in urban areas be acknowledgedby providing open park-like spaces.
o Open spaces provide for refuge and temporary storage of post-earthquake building
debris.
o Wide streets provide greater assurance of maintaining traffic flows and quick
response and rehabilitation following damage to city blocks.
o Landscape architectural elements can also enhance public safety.
o Acknowledged by building back from site boundaries and creating vertical separation
gaps between buildings to avoid hammering.
o Public facilitated buildings should be built different as if this buildings use as adisaster shelter.
Hazard risk needs to be integrated into the development process. This requires a holistic
Approach. There is a need to incorporate hazard risk concerns into appraisal and assessmentof individual development projects. These concerns must also be integrated into sectoral andnational policies and strategies (e.g., poverty reduction, environmental management), thus
seeking to promote structural reforms that would enhance resilience. Progress in this requires
strong institutional support and the involvement and commitment of governments, aid
agencies and civil society. It also requires political commitment, both at national and local
levels, to address long-term hazard risks, over-riding the temptation for governments topursue populist policies for short-term gains rather than sustainable development.

STUDY AREA

Ward no. 68 of Old Dhaka is selected as the study area due to its earthquake vulnerability.
The site is characterized by a high density of population living in a very compact land areawith close proximity of buildings along a very narrow local street. In most cases it is difficult
to differentiate the buildings from each other. The prevailing circumstance gives a view ofbuildings may collapse without any disaster like earthquake. The condition is unthinkable andunimaginable what may happen with an attack of earthquake. The location and condition of
public buildings are not up to the standards because of its informal settlements.

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Figure 1: Aerial view of the study area (Ward no. 68, Old Dhaka)

Figure 2: Building height of the study area

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Figure 3: 3D view showing public building in study area

Figure 4: View showing public building & road layout in Ward no. 68.

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METHODOLOGY

It is a very difficult and time-consuming task to assess the vulnerability of the existingbuildings in any target area. The study includes two different visual screening methods, i.e.
FEMA-RVS and Turkish Simple Survey (Level-I & Level-II) Procedure. The Level-I Turkishmethod is almost similar to the RVS method. The rapid visual screening (RVS) method has
been used in this research to assess all public buildings in 68 word and the Turkish Level-I &Level-II, a more detail analysis of the building, is used to assess the structures proposed to be
used as evacuation place. The religious place like mosques, the community centers,
educational institutes like schools, colleges and other public places along with the open
spaces like park, playground are considered as evacuation sites .
FEMA Rapid Visual Screening
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) of the United States of America hasdeveloped pre-earthquake screening method of potential seismic hazard assessment ofbuildings based on rapid visual screening method, widely known as RVS method originatedin 1988, with the publication of the FEMA 154 Report. It is generally used for rapid
evaluation of seismic vulnerability profiles of existing building stocks. RVS method is used
to quickly determine if detail evaluation of existing building is required. The objective of
these methods is to identify, make inventory and rank all high-risk buildings in a specified
region so that a strategy of priority based interventions to buildings can be formed. This
screening methodology is encapsulated in a one page form, which combines a description ofa building, its layout and occupancy, and a rapid structural evaluation related to its seismic
hazard. This procedure requires only visual inspection and limited data collection. It is a“sidewalk survey” approach that enabled users to classify surveyed buildings into two
categories: those acceptable as to risk to life safety or those that may be seismicallyhazardous and should be evaluated in more detail by a design professional experienced inseismic design.
The Data Collection Form of RVS includes space for documenting building identification
information, including its use and size, a photograph of the building, sketches, anddocumentation of pertinent data related to seismic performance, including the development of
a numeric seismic hazard score. Basic Structural Hazard Scores based on Lateral Force
Resisting System for various building types are provided on the form and the screener circles
the appropriate one. The screener modifies the Basic Structural Hazard Score by identifying
and circling Score Modifiers related to observed performance attributes, by adding (orsubtracting) them a final Structural Score, 'S' is obtained (Imtiaz et al, 2007).
The scoring system of RVS is shown in Figure 5.

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Figure 5: Sample RVS Scoring Form (FEMA-154, 2002)
The score below which a structure is assumed to require further investigation is termed as“cut-off” score. The value of “cut off” score and choice of RVS form depends on the seismic
zonation of the area. It is suggested that buildings having an S score less than the “cut-off”
score should be investigated by an experienced seismic design professional experienced inseismic design. If the obtained “final score” is greater than the “cut-off” score the building
should perform well in a seismic event. A score of 2 is used in this study as a “cut-off” score.
Turkish Simple Survey Procedure
Another approach of rapid visual screening was employed for assessment of seismic
vulnerability of structure in Turkey. The Turkish Simple Survey procedure is a two level
seismic risk assessment procedure which has been proposed on the basis of statisticalcorrelations obtained by employing a database of 477 damaged buildings surveyed after the1999 earthquake in the cities of Kocaeli and Düzcec in Turkey (Sucuoglu and Yazgan, 2003).

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The method uses two levels seismic assessment based on several building parameters that canbe easily observed or measured during a systematic survey. The first level incorporates
recording of building parameters from the street side regarding a structural form and theground condition and involves the observation of the parameters, the number of stories above
ground, presence of a soft story, presence of heavy overhang, apparent building quality, andpresence of a short column.
In the second level, these are extended by structural parameters measured by entering into theground story. In the second level the parameters of first level are confirmed or modified
through closer observations. Then a sketch of the framing plan at the ground story is madeand the dimensions of columns, concrete and masonry walls are measured. The added
parameters in this stage are pounding between adjacent buildings, topography effect, plan
irregularity, redundancy, and strength index. The consistency in distribution of lateral loads
to frame members is judged by redundancy and the strength index figures out the influence ofsize of the vertical members of the building, material strength, frame geometry etc. on thelateral strength of the building. The results of the Level - II procedure can be used todetermine the potential status of the selected buildings and to further short-list the buildings
requiring detailed vulnerability assessment.
The basic scoring for both the levels are based on the Height of the building (number ofstories) and Local Soil Conditions where three intensity zones are specified in terms of
associated PGV (Peak Ground Velocity) ranges (Imtiaz et al, 2007). Once the vulnerability
parameters of a building are obtained from two-level surveys and its location is determined,
the seismic performance and vulnerability scores are calculated as defined in Figure 6.
A “cut-off” performance score of 50 has been suggested for both survey levels.

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Figure 6: Tables and general equation of Turkish Procedure (Sucuoglu and Yazgan, 2003)

DATA INTERPRETATION AND ANALYSIS

Vulnerability Assessment of Public Buildings by RVS Method
The earthquake vulnerability of the buildings is assessed using the Rapid Visual Screening(RVS) Method and detail evaluation of the proposed evacuating buildings is made using theTurkish Level I and Level -II method. A total number of 1064 Buildings have been analyzed
using Rapid Visual Screening (RVS) method. On a general view, the soil type of Ward no. 68
has been considered as Stiff. RVS score '0' is given to the buildings that showed negative
results, that means the buildings are in emergency need of detail evaluation by any structural
engineer and take further actions like retrofitting, etc. based on the result found.
The results show that 44% score for buildings was found to touch the cut off value according
to FEMA method and all of them require further detailed analysis on vulnerability todetermine the level of actual risk.

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RVS Score of the Buildings

44%
56%

<2

>2

Figure 7: Buildings according to the RVS cut-off Score
Considering the existing site condition, it can be assumed that such a large number ofbuildings may not be vulnerable if an earthquake hits and if 1.5 is considered as the cut-off
score then most of the buildings fall in the safe region and do not require detail structural
analysis. Figure 8 shows that with the cut-off value 1.5, 67% of the total surveyed buildings
are not vulnerable in any earthquake disaster.

350

No of Buildings

300
250
200
150
100
50
0
<=0.6

0.7-1.4

1.5-1.9

2.0-2.2

2.3-2.4

2.5-2.8

RVS Score

Figure 8: Buildings classified on the RVS Score
Vulnerability Assessment of Public Buildings by Turkish Method
A more detail analysis of buildings is done in Turkish Level-I & Level-II method incomparison with the RVS method. It has been found from studies that the Turkish method ismore compatible in the circumstances of our country. The detail evaluation of 11 structures
proposed to be used as evacuation sites are done.

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Review of building configuration analysis against Earthquake
Architectural consideration, Geometric configuration
The following briefly describes the most relevant aspects of the impact of geometricconfiguration on the seismic response of buildings, as well as the corrective measuresrequired. Due to their complexity and their close relationship with buildings' use of space andform, configuration problems must be taken into account from the very earliest stages ofarchitectural design. Architects and designers should have a thorough understanding of therelevant issues.
The problems mentioned below refer to the plan (i.e., horizontal layout) of the structure in
relation to the form and distribution of architectural space.
The length of a building determines its structural response in ways that are not easily
determined by the usual methods of analysis. Since ground movement consists of thetransmission of waves, which occurs with a velocity that depends on characteristics of thesoil on which the structure stands, the excitation that takes place at one point of support of thebuilding at one time differs from the excitation at another time, a difference that is greater tothe extent that the length of the building is greater in the direction of the seismic waves. Shortbuildings adjust more easily to the waves than long buildings, and undergo similar excitation
at all supports. The usual correction for the problem of excessive building length is topartition the structure in blocks by the insertion of seismic expansion joints in such a way thateach block can be considered a shorter building. These joints must be designed to permit
adequate movement of each block without the danger of their striking or colliding with eachother. Long buildings are also more sensitive to the torsion or horizontal rotation resulting
from ground movements, because the differences in the transverse and longitudinal
movements of the supporting ground, on which this rotation depends, are greater.
Concentration of stress arises in buildings with complex floor plans. A complex plan isdefined as that in which the line joining any two sufficiently distant points lies largely outsideof the plan. This occurs when wings of significant size are oriented in different directions, forinstance in H, U, or L shapes.

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Configuration characteristics & their effects
Undesirable configurations

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Location & plan of the public buildings in Ward no. 68:

rectangle + U shape plan

Ahmed Bawyani School

Haybat nagar Dewan School

Islampur Jamme Mosque

Zindabahar 2 nd lane Jame Mosque

Mahutuli Mosque

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Jhabbu Khanam Jamme Mosque

Shahjada Mia Jame Mosque

Maulana Mosque

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Jumman Community Center & Ward
Commissioner's Office

Anandomoyee Girls' High School

L-shape152

irregular

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Comparative analysis of public buildings by RVS Method, Turkish Method &building configuration
The detail evaluation of 11 structures proposed to be used as evacuation sites are done.
Table 1 shows a comparative view of these two methods.
Sl.
no.
01
02
03
04
05
06
07
08
09
10
11

Table 1: Comparison of RVS method and Turkish Method
Name & Address
RVS Score in Score in
Score Level-I
Level-II
Ahmed Bawyani School
075
85
Anandomoyee Girls’ High School :Structure 01
Structure 03
Haybat nagar Dewan School
Zindabahar 2nd lane Jame MosqueJumman Community Center &Ward Commissioner’s Office
Mahutuli Mosque
Maulana Mosque
Shahjada Mia Jame Mosque
Jhabbu Khanam Jamme Mosque
Islampur Jamme Mosque
Kamranga Mosque

Shape
Rectangle+
U-Shape
L-Shape

2.2
2.2
1.7
2.4
1.7

110
115
115
50
125

108
120
113
47
125

SquareRectangular
Irregular

2.2
2.2
1.7
1.9
0.4
0

125
125
105
90
65
110

130
130
106
100
57
106

SquareSquare
L-Shape
Irregular
L-Shape
SquareIt is clear that most of the structures fall below the cut-off score in the RVS method but in the
Turkish Method, most of them fall above the cut-off score i.e. they don't need further detailanalysis. The Zindabahar 2nd lane Jame Mosque requires more detail structural analysis
based on Turkish method although it's RVS score resulted above the cut-off value. In
contrary, some structures resulted in detail evaluation by RVS method while the Turkishmethods showed they do not need any further analysis by specialist. Again the Islampur
Jamme Mosque has just passed the cut-off score and the RVS score is also negative. So it
also requires detail evaluation.

CONCLUSION

This paper only represents the methods of earthquake vulnerability assessment and tries todraw a picture of the public buildings of word no. 68 in old part of Dhaka city and tries torealize the situation what may happen if an earthquake occurs. Both of the methods have
limitations in terms of incorporating the parameters relevant to the design and construction
practices in Bangladesh and many other countries. But initially it provides a general idea andknowledge on the vulnerability of the buildings based on which an effective evacuation
shelter or post disaster shelter can be prepared to reduce loss caused by any attack of disaster.
Finally after collecting data from field level, A GIS based evacuation plan needs to beprepared based on the existing site condition like buildings, road network system, andproposed public building use as a earthquake resistant disaster shelter etc. The whole area
must be segregated into different groups according to vulnerability and capacity ofevacuation places. Finally Over all a 3D elevation model of the area showing the escaping
route with the shortest path directing to evacuation shelter from each specified group segment

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focusing on the actual site condition.

REFERENCES
1. FEMA154, (2002). Rapid Visual Screening of Building for Potential Seismic Hazards: A
Hand Book
2. Sucuoglu, H. and Yazgan, U. (2003) “Simple Survey Procedures for Seismic Risk
Assessment In Urban Building Stocks” in Wasti, S.T. and G. Ozcebe, Kluwer (eds.)
Seismic Assessment and Rehabilitation of Existing Buildings NATO Science Series Vol
IV, No. 29, pp. 97-118.
3. Imtiaz, A. B. A., Sutra dhar, A. and Ansary, M. A. and Ahmed, M. Z. (2007) “Visual
Screening Methods for Earthquake Vulnerability Assessment” Proceedings ofInternational Conference on New Technologies for Urban Safety of Mega Cities in Asia,
Dhaka, Published in CD.

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PART-VII
EARTHQUAKE VULNERABILITY
REDUCTION STRATEGIESFOR UNPLANNED URBAN AREAS

BANGLADESH NETWORK OFFICE FORURBAN SAFETY (BNUS), BUET, DHAKA

Prepared by: Md. Yousuf Reza
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ABSTRACT

Earthquake vulnerability reduction for cities (EVRC), Metropolitan earthquake prevention
plan and many other initiatives have been taken throughout the world at recent past to maketheir cities free from huge loss. Though, Bangladesh is at high seismic zone, but still nosignificant initiative has been taken for urban areas. So, reduction of urban vulnerability forseismic hazards is one of the priorities right now in Bangladesh.
Chittagong city, one of the major urban areas, is experiencing physical vulnerability like
informal or unplanned settlements, poor infrastructure, existences of vulnerable built
environment and so on. Rapid urban growth is causing deterioration and increasing thevulnerability of human lives, economy and infrastructures. If a strong earthquake affecting
Chittagong city which may result in damage and destruction of massive proportions and may
have disastrous consequence for the entire country. This study aims to analyze the issues
related to physical urban vulnerability in detail to arrive at strategies or policy based solutions
that are necessary to support the redevelopment of urban areas in Chittagong and Bangladesh
and how hazard motivated land use planning reduce the earthquake risk.
This case study is on Nondon Kanon area, where urban physical vulnerability is identified.
Risk assessment analysis has been done by RADIUS ( Risk Assessment tools for Diagnosis
of Urban areas against Seismic disasters ) and also part of analysis --visual survey, secondary
data collection and analysis, configuration analysis and building typology study based onearthquake vulnerability. At the end, a redesign alternative design solution is proposed
showing the possibilities of earthquake vulnerability reduction.

INTRODUCTION

No one can prevent nor accurately predict earthquakes but by preparing earthquake disasterprevention plan for urban areas and implementing it, the loss of life and property from anearthquake can be significantly reduced. In order to create a city for the 21st century where
inhabitants can feel secure, all parties need to come together to promote disaster resistanturban development through the mutual integration of livability. The term “Physical Urban
Vulnerability for Earthquake Hazard” is defined strictly. To create safe built environment,
every professional who is related with it should know about urban vulnerability andearthquake risk. Present urban trends of Bangladesh, especially Dhaka, Chittagong has highpopulation density as well as built environment and also unplanned urbanization, where
physical urban vulnerability exist. The present research tries to formulate sustainable
earthquake vulnerability reduction strategies for urban designers and architects by identifying
physical urban vulnerability. As part of its spatial interpretations the study tries to interpretthe selected articles “Urban Earthquake vulnerability reduction for urban areas” based ongathered knowledge from multi disciplinary secondary sources ( urban design, urban
redevelopment strategy, Metropolitan earthquake prevention plan & policy, disastermanagement etc) to formulate an actionable idea that would be physical in nature.

CONCEPTULIZATION OF THE ISSUE“Earthquake vulnerability reduction” (EVR) is a concept of action that has developed toensure safety of human lives and reduce losses from earthquakes that may occur tomorrow.
Some historical earthquakes like California taught us that earthquake vulnerability reduction
and preparedness works. Lives were saved, injuries were reduced and business disruption was

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limited by being prepared for earthquakes. We need to evaluate and promote the vulnerability
reduction strategies making our urban areas safe and secured.
These generalized aims necessitate involvement of multi disciplinary professionals to workwith common objectives of better urban designers have great role to play in this field,
because urban design and architecture deal with space and built environment. By preparing
sustainable land use planning and urban earthquake vulnerability reduction strategies, we canbuild a seismically resistant urban area.

study area

S ampl e Ar ea

S ampl e Ar ea
r es id en t ial & mix ed us eh il l y ar ea

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as hk ard ighi
ar ea
naval
ar ea
d .c . hil lFair y hil lr eaz ud d inbaz arr ail ways t at ion

H ig h Tr a f f ic
L o w Tr a f f ic

Sampl e Ar ea

p u b l ic f a c il it a t e b u il d in g
o l d b u il d in g
t e mp o r a r y s t r u c t u r e
r e s id e n t ia l +c o mme r c ia l b u il d in g
wat er bo d y ( po n d )r o ad3 dimensional image of Nondon Kanon Area

Urban Earthquake Risk:o unplanned urban areas or informal settlements in urban areaso poor infrastructures or poor condition of road pattern and lifeline facilities
o lack of open spaceso existence and designing of vulnerable buildings
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March 2009o poor condition of public facilitate buildingso violation of rules and regulations
o contiguous building character

Physical Earthquake Urban Vulnerability

N ARROW ROADWID TH (3 ’ -0 ”
WID TH )AD J ACEN CY OF BU IL D IN G /POU N D IN G

BOU N DARY WAL L

PU BL IC FACIL ITATESOFT STORYBU IL D IN G( in t er ms o f
s h ape)158

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Strategies to reduce earthquake vulnerability:
scenario of physical vulnerability

strategy in written format

schematic solution

secondary road

public facility provider building or
post disaster shelter

open spacesecondary roadevacuation path /Emergency road

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scenario of physical vulnerability

8’-9’ ROADWIDTH

4’-0”
schematic solution

Width of the path ---Min width =fire truck [vehicle] width+ car width

FIRE TRUCK +CAR WIDTH

scenario of physical vulnerability

Before earthquake

after earthquake

schematic solution

PATH DESIGN ----CARPETING
utilities line

It should be designed as suchthat all life line facilities those
go beneath the street should besafe after earthquake & least
damage will occur.

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road block

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scenario of physical vulnerability
after earthquake

Before earthquake

Before earthquake

strategy in written format

building beside the evacuation/ emergency path ---For better action after earthquake, this path should be free from all kind of damage related todisaster, thus building adjacent to this road should be earthquake resistant.
special measure should be taken to retrofit the vulnerable one or destroy the most risky builtform.

schematic solution

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scenario of physical vulnerability

lack of open space

strategy in written format

Open Space ----

OPEN SPACE DESIGN---

this space could be a first stage of shelter
during or after earthquake.

building adjacent to this open
space should be earthquake
resistant or retrofitted.

SIZE of the OPEN SPACE X = Number of people x 10.76 sq.ft./ 1 sqm[area needed for each person][source - Tokyo metropolitan earthquake disasterprevention plan]

this open spaces can also be
spread out or split in an
organized and connecting manner

CATCHMENT AREA --Diameter of the area = at what extent a
person can walk or how long at what rate.
schematic solution

xy = 10.76 sft for each person

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scenario of physical vulnerability

strategy in written format

Adjacency of building / pounding ---Closely spaced building should be retrofitted by making all the building at same height thus theywill shake as a single unit during earthquake.

schematic solution

retrofit the build structure [ blow up d aa’][ d aa’]damping174

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scenario of physical vulnerability

bef o r e ear t h q u ake

af t er ear t h q u ake

schematic solution
cross bracing

SOFT STOREY OR SHORTCOLUMN-------

hyde system
newconcretewalls

new concrete walls added to address“soft storey” / “weak storey”

hyde ( hysteretic device ) system in soft
storey buildings

scenario of physical vulnerability

before earthquake

after earthquake

schematic solution

BOUNDARY WALL--------APEX OF THE SLOPE

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PROPOSED RE-DESIGN OF OPEN SPACE & EMERGENCY ROAD
At Nonodon Kanon Area ( applying strategies):

18 plotso pen s pac es +pr o po s ed r o ad s

c at c h men t ar ea
o f t wo o pen s pac es

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ex is t in g r o ads o me pr o po s ed r o ads y n t ac t ic an al y s isin t eg r it y l ev elmain emer g en c y r o ad /evac u at io n pat h

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Emergency road/evacuation path
open spacessite plan showing two green space & main emergency road

3d view of nondon kanon after
redevelopment ( proposed)

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CONCLUSION

Earthquake vulnerability reduction strategies are of utmost importance in mitigating risk forany part of the country especially for Metropolitan cities. Bangladesh falls in high seismiczone but still no significant initiative has been taken in advance to face the disaster in time.
Therefore, initiatives in reducing the loss due to any hazard must be taken into consideration.
Cities may face immense sufferings due to concentration of high density of population invulnerable structures with low preparedness to disastrous attack. In order to reduce urban
vulnerability and safe the cities from seismic hazards, at present, earthquake vulnerability
reduction strategies is one of the priorities for policy makers in Bangladesh. The case study
analyses the present scenario of a major port town, Chittagong city in Bangladesh, in
response to an earthquake. Some policy strategies are recommended that may be effective inloss reduction to a great extend.
The rapid urban growth is causing deterioration and increasing the vulnerability of human
lives, economy and infrastructures. If a strong earthquake strikes Chittagong city which may
result in damage and destruction of massive proportions, it may have disastrous consequence
for the entire country. This study aims to analyze the issues related to physical urban
vulnerability in detail to arrive at strategies or policy based solutions that are necessary tosupport the redevelopment of urban areas in Chittagong and whole of Bangladesh. We
conclude with remarks on how hazard motivated land use planning reduce the earthquake risk.
The study also proposes an alternative redesign solution showing the possibilities ofearthquake vulnerability reduction.

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