Country Profile: Bangladesh*1

1. INTRODUCTION
Bangladesh is a low-lying deltaic country in South Asia formed by the Ganges, the Brahmaputra
and the Meghna rivers. It is a land of about 140 million people within its 147,570 sq. km
territory. More than 310 rivers and tributaries have made this country a land of rivers.
Diversified cultural heritage, archaeological sites and the natural beauty of the country havemade thisland attractive. The country has the world’s longest unbroken sandy beach of 120km,

sloping gently down to the blue waters of the Bay of Bengal. Around 52% percent of thecivilian labor force of the country is engaged in agriculture and 14% is engaged in industry. Per
capita GDP for 2010-11 was US$ 751 (BBS).
Since independence in 1971, Bangladesh has achieved substantial improvements in somesocial indicators like a decrease in infant and maternal mortality as well as illiteracy, and anincrease in life expectancy, access to safe water and sanitation. However, approximately 31.5%(HIES, BBS, 2011) of the population still continue to live below the poverty line (BBS, 2011).
The economic performance of the country has been relatively strong since 1990, with anannual 5% average GDP growth rate and the last FY 2010-11 was 6.7% ( Economic Review ).
Although half of the GDP is generated through the service sector, nearly two thirds ofBangladeshis are employed in the agriculture sector with paddy as the single most important∗

Disclaimer: This report was compiled by an ADRC visiting researcher (VR) from ADRC member
countries. The views expressed in the report do not necessarily reflect the views of the ADRC.
The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on the maps in the report also do
not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the ADRC.

product.
The geographical location, land characteristics, multiplicity of rivers and the monsoon climate
render Bangladesh highly vulnerable to natural hazards. The coastal morphology of
Bangladesh influences the impact of natural hazards on the area. Especially in the south
western area, natural hazards increase the vulnerability of the coastal dwellers and slow down
the process of social and economic development.
Significant country features include :A vast network of rivers and channels
An enormous discharge of water heavily laden with sediments
A large number of islands in between the channels
A shallow northern Bay of Bengal and funneling to the coastal area of Bangladesh
Strong tidal and wind action
Natural and human induced hazards such as floods, cyclones, droughts, tidal surges, tornadoes,
earthquakes, river erosion, fire, infrastructure collapse, high arsenic contents of ground water,water logging, water and soil salinity, epidemic, and various forms of pollution are frequent
occurrences. Climate change adds a new dimension to community risk and vulnerability.
Although the magnitude of these changes may appear to be small, they could substantially
increase the frequency and intensity of existing climatic events (floods, droughts, cyclones etc).
Current indications are that not only will floods and cyclones become more severe, they will also
start to occur outside of their “established seasons”. Events, such as drought, may not havepreviously occurred in some areas and may now be experienced.

A. Risk and disaster management
1. Summary of disaster risk and disaster management issue
Bangladesh is a low-lying deltaic country in South Asia formed by the Ganges, the Brahmaputra and theMeghna rivers. It is a disaster-prone country of an area of about 1,47,570 sq. km. with population
nearing 140 million. Major disasters that occur in Bangladesh are: tropical cyclone, flood, riverbank
erosion, tornado, earthquake etc.

Tropical cyclone:
On April 1991, a devastating Cyclone hit Bangladesh coast and killed 0.13 million people and property
damages were more than two billion US dollars. The Cyclone SIDR hit Bangladesh coast on 15

November 2007. As of the reporting period, it was observed that 3,363 peoples are dead andapproximately 563,877 houses were totally destroyed. It is also reported that 186,883 hectares of cropareas are fully and 498,645-hectare area partly damaged by Sidr. Cyclone Aila hit the south western
coast of Bangladesh on 25 May 2009 and killed 190 people.

Floods:The 1998 flood lasted for 65 days from July 12 to September 14 and affected about 67% of area of thecountry. The 1998 flood alone caused 1,100 deaths, rendered 30 million people homeless, damaged
500,000 homes and caused heavy loss to infrastructure. This devastating flood had an enormous impact
on the national economy, in addition to causing hardships for people, and disrupting livelihood systems
in urban and rural areas. In the year 2000, Bangladesh faced an unusual flood over its usually flood-freesouth western plain, which also caused loss of life and massive damage to property. In 2004, floodinundated about 38% of the country and caused 747 deaths and economic loses of about US$2,200
Million.

Tornado:Tornadoes during pre-monsoon period hit Bangladesh and cause localized devastation, both in terms of
lives and properties. The tornado that took place on April 26, 1989 caused approximately 1300 people
deaths and 12,000 injured. The towns of Saturia and Manikgank sadar were leveled and about 80,000
people were made homeless. In January 9, 1993 nearly 50 people were killed and thousands madehomeless when a tornado battered villages in northeast Bangladesh. In October 12, 1997 at least 15 andas many as 25 people were killed in Tongi, a town about 10-20 miles north of Dhaka in Bangladesh,
when a tornado tracked through the town. Tornadoes of 14 April 1969; 11 April 1974; 01 April 1977
and 26 April 1989 are noteworthy.

River Bank Erosion:
Rivers in Bangladesh are morphologically highly dynamic. A study concluded in 1991 reported that: outof the 462 administrative units in the country, 100 were subject to some form of riverbank erosion, of
which 35 were serious, and affected about 1 million people on a yearly basis. Around 10,000 hectares
land is eroded by river per year in Bangladesh (NWMP, 2001). A recent study of CEGIS (2005) showsthat bank erosion along Padma River during 1973 – 2004 was 29,390 hectares and along Jamuna Riverduring 1973 – 2004, it was 87,790 hectares.

Droughts:
Drought conditions due to deficiency in rainfall affect different parts of Bangladesh mostly during the
pre-monsoon and post-monsoon periods. Between 1949 and 1991, droughts occurred in Bangladesh 24

times. Very severe droughts hit the country in 1951, 1957, 1958, 1961, 1972, 1975, 1979, 1981, 1982,
1984 and 1989. Past droughts have typically affected about 47% area of the country and 53% of the
population (WARPO, 2005). Bangladesh faces unpredictable drought hazard in the dry monsoon due toinadequate and uneven rainfall. It varies from place to place, however, and the northwestern region
suffers most from the drought. As much as 17% of the Aman crops, the main paddy crops in the wet
season may be lost in a typical year due to drought.

Earthquake:
The historical seismic data of Bangladesh and adjoining areas indicate that Bangladesh is vulnerable toearthquake hazard. Bangladesh, as a whole, lies in the earthquake zone of which two-third comes undermajor and moderate fault. In the recent past, a number of tremors of moderate to severe intensity had
already taken place in and around Bangladesh. As examples, the Chittagong earthquake of 21 November
1997 (M= 6.1), the Bhuj earthquake of 26 January 2001 (M= 7.9) and the Chittagong -Rangamati
earthquakes of 27 July 2003 (M=5.9, M = 3.69 and M=4.79) may be cited.

2. National disaster risk reduction and disaster management system
A series of inter-related institutions, at both national and sub-national levels have been created fordisaster management. As per the Rules of Business of the Government of Bangladesh, MFDM is
mandated to formulate policies, prepare plans, and monitor and coordinate all aspects of disaster
activities. The field level activities of MFDM are carried out by two subordinate offices e.g. the Disaster
Management Bureau (DMB) and the Directorate of Relief and Rehabilitation (DRR). While DMB is
responsible for dissemination of all information on natural disasters, including flood information atcommunity level, flood preparedness, awareness raising and capacity building activities, DRR is
responsible for conducting relief and rehabilitating operations with the help of district and upazila
administrations. The Ministry issued the Standing Orders on Disaster (SOD) in January 1997 to guide andmonitor disaster management activities in Bangladesh.
The SOD has been prepared for concerned persons to understand their duties and responsibilities
regarding disaster management. All Ministries, Divisions/Departments and Agencies shall prepare theirown Action Plans in respect of their responsibilities under the Standing Orders for efficient
implementation. The National Disaster Management Council (NDMC) and Inter-Ministerial Disaster
Management Coordination Committee (IMDMCC) will ensure coordination of disaster related activities
at the National level. Coordination at District, Thana and Union levels will be done by the respective
District, Thana and Union Disaster Management Committees. The Disaster Management Bureau will

render all assistance to them by facilitating the process.

A series of inter-related institutions, at both national and sub-national levels have been created to ensure
effective planning and coordination of disaster risk reduction and emergency response management.

Figure 1: Disaster Management Institutions in Bangladesh

Disaster Management Institutions:
At the national level
1.

National Disaster Management Council (NDMC)

2.

Inter-Ministerial Disaster Management Co-ordination Committee (IMDMCC)

3.

National Disaster Management Advisory Committee (NDMAC)

4.

National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (NPDRR)

5.

Earthquake Preparedness and Awareness Committee (EPAC)

6.

Cyclone Preparedness Program Implementation Board (CPPIB)

7.

Cyclone Preparedness Programme (CPP) Policy Committee

8.

Disaster Management Training and Public Awareness Building Task Force (DMTATF)

9.

Focal Point Operation Coordination Group of Disaster Management (FPOCG)

10. NGO Coordination Committee on Disaster Management (NGOCC)

11. Committee for Speedy Dissemination of Disaster Related Warning/ Signals (CSDDWS)
At sub-national level1.

District Disaster Management Committee (DDMC)

2.

Upazila Disaster Management Committee (UZDMC)

3.

Union Disaster Management Committee (UDMC)

4.

Pourashava Disaster Management Committee (PDMC)

5.

City Corporation Disaster Management Committee (CCDMC)

Other institutions:1.

Space Research and Remote Sensing Organization (SPARRSO)

2.

Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD)

3.

Flood Forecasting and Warning Center (FFWC)

4.

Center for Environmental and Geographic Information Services (CEGIS)

5.

Institute for Water Modelling (IWM)

3. Disaster risk reduction and disaster management institutions

Disaster Management Bureau (DMB)
DMB is designed as a small dynamic professionals unit at national level to perform specialised functionsin the field of disaster preparedness, local disaster action planning, contingency planning, raising publicawareness, training and facilitating improved disaster information flows. DMB works under MFDM andoverviews and coordinates all activities related to disaster management from the national level down to thegrass-roots level. DMB is committed to enhancing regular dialogues and fostering co-operation inpractical disaster preparedness matters ‘before, during and after’ a disaster between all levels ofgovernment, donors, non-government organisations, community groups and others. DMB’s main strength
is the mandate and authority for dissemination of early warning of different disasters. DMB has a total of
48 technical professionals stationed at their head office in Dhaka. It has a vast network under its authority
through a standing order.
Currently, DMB is working on cyclone and flood information warning dissemination, but it has plans toextend its dissemination activities to other disasters. A process of hazard mapping is also underconsideration. A website (http://www.dmb.gov.bd) is currently available with only static historic
information, but it could be made dynamic for updating with early warnings like the FFWC website.

Space Research and Remote Sensing Organization (SPARRSO)SPARRSO acts as the centre of excellence and national focal point for the peaceful applications of spacescience, remote sensing and geographic information system (GIS) in Bangladesh. SPARRSO also advises
the government in all matters relating to space technology applications and policies. SPARRSO maintains
close collaboration with national, regional and international organizations, institutions and agencies anddisseminates research results, satellite data and information to the relevant public, autonomous and private
agencies for their development and policy-making activities. SPARRSO’s mandate includes monitoring
and research on environmental issues. For this purpose they receive images daily to observe weather
patterns and floods and prepare flood reports including flood maps showing flood-affected areas.

Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD)
BMD is the government organization authorized for all meteorological activities in the country. It
maintains a network of surface and upper air observation stations, radar and satellite stations,agro-meteorological observation stations, geomagnetic and seismological observation stations andmeteorological telecommunication system. BMD contributes to flood forecasting and warnings by
preparing short/medium and long term weather forecasts, 3-hourly surface charts, 6 and 12-hourly upper
air charts, heavy rainfall warnings, and special weather bulletins with storm surge information. BMD is
the only government authorized organization mandated to issue all sorts of weather forecast and record
meteorological observations (surface and upper air) in Bangladesh. BMD has been affiliated to the World
Meteorological Organization (WMO) since 1972.
FFWC is a division of the Directorate of Processing and Forecasting, under the Chief Engineer,
Hydrology. Together FFWC, Surface Water Hydrology (SWH) and Construction and Instrumentation(C&I) undertake the transmission and processing of data for flood forecasting and warning services. It
maintains a strong institutional network for disseminating flood forecasts at national level.

Center for Environmental and Geographic Information Services (CEGIS)CEGIS is a Public Trust organization under the Ministry of Water Resources and functions under a Boardof Trustees chaired by the Secretary of the Ministry of Water Resources on behalf of the government.
CEGIS works in the fields of initial environment examination, environmental impact assessment, disastermanagement modelling, natural resource and risk management, GIS/RS mapping, and survey. CEGIS
serves government and non-government organizations. CEGIS has developed several disaster andwarning related tools including a Community Based Flood Information System (CFIS); an Environmental

Monitoring Information Network (EMIN); and a Climate Forecast Application Network (CFAN).
Currently, CEGIS is in the process of development/acquiring technology for a regional basin flood
forecast modelling for use in Bangladesh. Also, CEGIS has started to acquire knowledge on urban andflash flood forecasting.
An operational pilot system was developed to produce daily flood monitoring and forecast maps for use
at the community level under Community Flood Information System (CFIS). CFIS project was designed
as a pilot operational system to produce accurate and timely information on current and forecasted flood
conditions for a floodplain community by using easy understandable mobile SMS. This created an
important opportunity for low-cost, reliable, and deeply penetrating dissemination of flood forecasts forvulnerable communities.

CEGIS has developed a methodology for predicting the morphology process and bank erosion along the
Jamuna, Ganges and Padma Rivers based on space-based technology. The methodology makes it
possible to predict morphological development and bank erosion one to two years ahead.

The Institute of Water and Flood Management (IWFM)
IWFM is a research institute of the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET). Its
mandate includes conducting research on floods focusing on integrated water management, organizing
seminars and workshops related to floods, and offering a post graduate diploma in Water Resources
Development.

Institute for Water Modelling (IWM)
IWM is an institute of learning and research in the fields of water modelling, computational hydraulics andallied sciences established as a Public Trust under the ministry of Water Resources. IWM activities inflood forecasting and warning include the collection of real time hydrometric data for running flood
forecasting and inundation models; annually updating and validating the forecasting models; providing
technical backstopping and training to FFWC; assisting FFWC to expand into new areas; developing
dynamic flood inundation models (MIKE FLOOD) and issuing medium (10 days) flood predictions basedon climate forecasts produced by the CFAB project.

Institutes for Disaster Management:
1. National Disaster Management Council (NDMC) headed by the Honourable Prime Minister toformulate and review the disaster management policies and issue directives to all concerns.
2. Inter-Ministerial Disaster Management Co-ordination Committee (IMDMCC) headedby the Hon'ble Minister in charge of the Disaster Management and Relief Division(DM&RD) to implement disaster management policies and decisions of NDMC /Government.
3. National Disaster Management Advisory Committee (NDMAC) headed by anexperienced person having been nominated by the Honourable Prime Minister. Advise
NDMC, IMDMCC, MoFDM and DMB on technical matters and socio-economic aspects
of Disaster Risk Reduction and emergency response management.
4. National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (NPDRR) headed by Secretary,
DM&RD and DG, DMB functions as the member secretary. This platform shall coordinate
and provide necessary facilitation to the relevant stakeholders. Coordinate various relevant
stakeholders for interrelated social, economic and environmental risks and vulnerabilities.
Support identification of priority needs in the area of DRR, advise for allocating resources,
presenting timetable for actions and monitoring and reviewing the implementation of DRR
activities in line with the HFA.
5. Earthquake Preparedness and Awareness Committee (EPAC) headed by Honourable
minister for MoFDM and DG, DMB act as member secretary. Review national earthquake
preparedness and awareness programme and recommend suggestion for concernedorganizations.
6. Cyclone Preparedness Program Implementation Board (CPPIB) headed by the
Secretary of the Ministry of Food and Disaster Management to review the preparedness
activities in the face of initial stage of an impending cyclone.
7. Disaster Management and Relief Division to review the preparedness activities in theface of initial stage of an impending cyclone.
8. Cyclone Preparedness Programme (CPP) Policy Committee headed by Honourable
Minister, MoFDM and Secretary, DM&RD act as member secretary. To provide policy
directives and guideline to the CPP implementation board for effective implementation of
the programme.
9. Disaster Management Training and Public Awareness Building Task Force(DMTATF) headed by the Director General of Disaster Management Bureau (DMB) to
coordinate the disaster related training and public awareness activities of the Government,
NGOs and other organizations.
10. Focal Point Operation Coordination Group of Disaster Management (FPOCG)
headed by the Director General of DMB to review and coordinate the activities of various
departments/agencies related to disaster management and also to review the Contingency

Plan prepared by concerned departments.
11. NGO Coordination Committee on Disaster Management (NGOCC) headed by the
Director General of DMB to review and coordinate the activities of concerned NGOs in the
country.
12. Committee for Speedy Dissemination of Disaster Related Warning/ Signals(CSDDWS) headed by the Director General of DMB to examine, ensure and find out theways and means for the speedy dissemination of warning/ signals among the people.
13. District Disaster Management Committee (DDMC) headed by the Deputy
Commissioner (DC) to coordinate and review the disaster management activities at theDistrict level.
14. Upazila Disaster Management Committee (UZDMC) headed by the Upazila Nirbahi
Officer (UNO) to coordinate and review the disaster management activities at the Upazila
level.
15. Union Disaster Management Committee (UDMC) headed by the Chairman of the Union
Parishad to coordinate, review and implement the disaster management activities of theconcerned Union.
16. Pourashava Disaster Management Committee (PDMC) headed by Chairman ofPourashava (municipality) to coordinate, review and implement the disaster management
activities within its area of jurisdiction.
17. City Corporation Disaster Management Committee (CCDMC) headed by the Mayor ofCity Corporations to coordinate, review and implement the disaster management activities
within its area of jurisdiction.

4. National disaster risk reduction and disaster management policy and program

A. Other Relevant Initiatives
1. Country involvement in regional and international initiatives
SAARC Comprehensive Framework on Disaster Management
SAARC has articulated a Comprehensive Framework on Disaster Management and Disaster Prevention
during the 13th SAARC Summit in Dhaka, 12-13 November 2005. The SAARC Centre for Disaster
Management and Preparedness (New Delhi), SAARC Coastal Zone Management Centre (Male) and
SAARC Meteorological Research Centre (Dhaka) are implementing the framework in the context ofregional cooperation. The framework envisages some priority areas of action and Some of them relevantto the current study are listed below:Development and implementation of risk reduction strategies



Establishing regional and national response mechanisms that include (a) Establishing,strengthening and improving Regional Early Warning Systems; (b) Developing systems andprocedures to establish an effective Community Alerting System.

Establishing regional information sharing system and developing a network of institutions andorganizations involved in geo-information technologies, research information database, andemergency response management. Developing network with relevant national, regional andinternational systems



Developing and implementing disaster management training, education, research andawareness programmesApplying ICT for disaster management.

South Asian Floods (SAF)
ICIMOD, in collaboration with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United States
Geological Survey (USGS), has developed the Flood Information System (FIS) under the project“Regional Cooperation in Flood Information Exchange in the Hindu Kush Himalayas” of ICIMOD. The
system is conducting a 'Demonstration and Testing phase' since monsoon 2005. This phase is devoted totesting of the feasibility of exchange of flood-related hydrological and meteorological data on a real-timebasis from selected pilot stations of the participating countries.

Abu-Dhabi Knowledge Forum
The Abu-Dhabi Knowledge Forum was initiated as an offshoot of the Abu-Dhabi Dialogue on South
Asia Water Cooperation under IISS with representation from Himalayan region countries like
Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Nepal and Pakistan. The Abu- Dhabi Knowledge Forumis to identify the internal strength and weakness of the region and explore areas where a coordinatedresearch and training activities on impact of climate change, water governance structure and current
management would be of immediate use. The creative and productive discussions and dialogues are
evolving some good strategies for future action and cooperation. The importance of creating reliabledata and sharing the data and the need to focus more on them in the near future by mutual cooperationand facilitation, was acknowledged.

WMO Global Network - Global Telecommunication System (GTS) – New Delhi regional centre
The World Meteorological Organization’s (WMO) Global Observing System (GOS) enables theobservation and collection of weather, water and climate information from around the globe with help
from the National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) in member countries. WMO isfurther enhancing its Global Telecommunication System (GTS) and other information systems into asingle coordinated global information infrastructure called the WMO Information System (WIS). This
would facilitate the collection and sharing of relevant environmental information for a large number ofinternational programmes and provide a more flexible telecommunication network around the globe.
BMD (Dhaka) is connected to GTS by a dedicated 64K Non-IP link through the New Delhi regional
centre. BMD transmits weather information to the New Delhi centre at an interval of 3 hours. BMD
receives regional and international weather information every 6 hrs, and only regional (India, Pakistan)information every 3 hrs. BMD also gets regional water level data and provides it to FFWC.