ADRC Visiting Researcher Programme FY2020

Country Report:
Bangladesh
By

Abdul Quader
Deputy Secretary
Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh

ADRC Visiting Researcher Programme, FY2020, Country Report: Bangladesh

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

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ADRC Visiting Researcher Programme, FY2020, Country Report: Bangladesh

Table of Contents
Chapter-1: General Information ............................................................................................................. 5
1.1 General Description ...................................................................................................................... 5
1.2. Geographical Information ............................................................................................................ 5
1.3. Climate ......................................................................................................................................... 8
1.4. Administrative Divisions............................................................................................................. 10
1.5. Population .................................................................................................................................. 11
1.6. Education ................................................................................................................................... 12
1.7.Economy ..................................................................................................................................... 13
1.8.Art and Culture............................................................................................................................ 14
Chapter-2: Disaster management overview ......................................................................................... 15
2.1. Country risk profile .................................................................................................................... 15
2.1.1 Earthquake Risk ................................................................................................................... 18
2.1.2 Thunderstorm: A new disaster frontier in Bangladesh......................................................... 20
2.2. Natural hazards likely to affect .................................................................................................. 21
2.2.1 Flood .................................................................................................................................... 22
2.2.2. Tropical cyclone .................................................................................................................. 23
2.2.3.Tornado ................................................................................................................................ 25
2.2.4.Riverbank erosion ................................................................................................................ 27
2.2.5.Drought ................................................................................................................................ 28
2.2.6. Earthquake .......................................................................................................................... 29
2.3. Recent Major Disasters .............................................................................................................. 31
Chapter-3:Disaster Management System in Bangladesh ..................................................................... 35
3.1. Disaster Risk ............................................................................................................................... 35
3.1.1. Policy framework for Disaster Risk Reduction .................................................................... 35
3.1.2 Risk informed sharing platform ........................................................................................... 36
3.1.3.Risk inform to the community level ..................................................................................... 37
3.2. Risk Governance to manage Disaster Risk ................................................................................. 38
3.3Regulative Framework ................................................................................................................. 39
3.4 National Disaster Context ............................................................................................................ 42
3.4.1 GOB Vision on Disaster Management .................................................................................. 42
3.4.2 Mission of the MODMR ....................................................................................................... 42
3.4.3. Overall Objective ................................................................................................................. 42
3.4.4 National Committees under SOD ......................................................................................... 43
3.5 National Institutions for Disaster Management ......................................................................... 44
3.5.1 Department of Disaster Management (DDM) ..................................................................... 44
3.5.2 Cyclone Preparedness Program (CPP) ................................................................................. 45

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ADRC Visiting Researcher Programme, FY2020, Country Report: Bangladesh

3.5.3. Space Research and Remote Sensing Organization (SPARRSO) ......................................... 45
3.5.4.Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) ................................................................. 46
3.6. Other Institutions for Disaster Management............................................................................. 46
3.6.1. Center for Environmental and Geographic Information Services (CEGIS) .......................... 46
3.6.2 The Institute of Water and Flood Management (IWFM) ..................................................... 47
3.6.3 Institute of Water Modelling (IWM) .................................................................................... 47
3.8.ADRC Counterpart....................................................................................................................... 53
4. References ........................................................................................................................................ 53

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ADRC Visiting Researcher Programme, FY2020, Country Report: Bangladesh

Chapter-1: General Information
1.1 General Description
Bangladesh officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh, is a country in South Asia. It is
the eighth-most populous country in the world, with a population exceeding 164 million
people (Bangladesh Population, 2020). In terms of landmass, Bangladesh ranks 92nd,
spanning 148,460 square kilometres (57,320 sq mi), making it one of the most densely
populated countries in the world. Bangladesh shares land borders with India to the west, north,and east, Myanmar to the southeast, and the Bay of Bengal to the south. It is narrowly
separated from Nepal and Bhutan by the Siliguri Corridor, and from China by Sikkim, in thenorth, respectively. Dhaka, the capital and largest city, is the nation's economic, political andcultural hub. Chittagong, the largest seaport, is the second-largest city (Wikipedia, 2021).
Bangladesh is one of the emerging and growth-leading economies of the world, and is also
one of the Next Eleven countries, with one of the fastest real GDP growth rates.
The Bangladeshi economy is the 39th-largest in the world by nominal GDP, and the 29thlargest by Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) (Wikipedia, 2021).

1.2. Geographical Information
Bangladesh is a low-lying, riverine country with alargely marshy jungle coastline of 710 km (441 mi)on the northern littoral of the Bay of Bengal.Formed
by a delta plain at the confluence of the Ganges(Padma), Brahmaputra(Jamuna) and Meghna Riversand their distributaries and tributaries, Bangladesh's
alluvial soil is highly fertile, but vulnerable to floodanddrought.

The

geographicalpositionofBangladesh showing in figure -1 and information
given in Table-1.

Figure 1: Global Map

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ADRC Visiting Researcher Programme, FY2020, Country Report: Bangladesh

Table 1: Geographical Information

Name

Description

Geographical Coordinates

20°34’ to 26°38’ north latitude and 88°01’to
92°42’ east longitude

Area

Total: 147,570 km²
Country comparison to the world: 94
Land: 133,910 km²
Water: 10,090 km²Land boundaries

Total: 4,246 km
Border countries: Myanmar 193 km, India
4,053 km
Contiguous zone: 18 nmi (33.3 km; 20.7 mi)
Continental shelf: up to the outer limits of thecontinental margin Exclusive economic zone:
200 nmi (370.4 km; 230.2 mi)
Territorial sea: 12 nmi (22.2 km; 13.8 mi)
580 km with 273 km unbroken longest sea
beach in the world
Lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
Highest point: In the Mowdok range at 1052m (at N 21°47'12" E 92°36'36")

Maritime claims

Coastline
Elevation extremes

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ADRC Visiting Researcher Programme, FY2020, Country Report: Bangladesh

Hills rise above the plain only in the Chittagong Hill
Tracts in the far southeast and the Sylhet division in
the northeast. The whole country consists of mainly
low and flat land, except for the hilly regions in thenortheast and southeast. A network of rivers, with their
tributaries and distributaries crisscross the country.
Physiographically, the country can be divided into hills,
uplifted land blocks, and the majority alluvial
plainswith very low

meanelevation

above

sea

level .In terms of geographical location, Bangladesh
is in the context of the Ganges-BrahmaputraMeghna

(GBM

)

river

system.

Geologically,

Bangladesh is a part of the Bengal Basin, one of thelargest geosynclinals

in

the

world.The

Basin

Figure 2: Physiography of Bangladesh

is bordered on the north by the steep Tertiary Himalayas; on the northeast and east by the late
Tertiary Shillong Plateau, the Tripura hills of lesser elevation, and the Naga-Lusai folded
belt; and in the west by the moderately high, ancient Chotanagpur plateau. The southernfringe of the basin is not distinct but geophysical evidence indicates it is open
towards the Bay of Bengal for a considerable distance. The formation and growth of theBengal Basin is directly related to the origin and morphology of the Indo-Gangetic
trough, which itself is overlaid and filled by sediments thousands of meters

thick. The

broad geological features of the Bengal Basin and its prominent tectonic elements are
Indian platform, Bengal foredeep, ArakanYoma folded system, and the Sub-Himalayan
Foredeep. Other features are Rangpur Saddle, Dinajpur slope, Bogra slope, Hinge Zone,
Barisal High, and Troughs of Sylhet, Faridpur and Hatiya, etc.

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ADRC Visiting Researcher Programme, FY2020, Country Report: Bangladesh

1.3. Climate
Bangladesh has a subtropical monsoon climate marked by broad seasonal fluctuations inrainfall, mild temperatures and high humidity. Regional climatic variations are small in thisflat region. Three seasons are commonly known: the mild, humid summer from March toJune; the cold, rainy monsoon season from June to October; and the cool, dry winter from
October to March. In general, the mean summer temperatures are between 32°C and 38°C. In
most parts of the world, April is the warmest month. January is the coldest month in which
the average temperature for much of the world is 10°C.
The winds are mainly from the north and northwest in the winter, moving softly at one tothree kilometres per hour in the northern and central regions and three to six kilometres perhour along the coast. From March to May, intense thunderstorms, named to the northwest by
local English speakers, emit winds of up to 60 kilometres per hour. During the extreme
storms of the early summer and late monsoon season, southerly winds of more than 160
kilometres per hour trigger waves to crest as large as 6 metres in the Bay of Bengal, creating
catastrophic floods in coastal areas.
Heavy rainfall is traditional of Bangladesh. With the exception of the comparatively dry
western area of Rajshahi, where annual rainfall is approximately 160 cm, most areas of theworld receive at least 200 cm of rainfall each year. Due to its position just south of thefoothills of the Himalayas, where monsoon winds transform west and northwest, the districtof Sylhet in northeast Bangladesh has the highest annual rainfall.
About 80 percent of Bangladesh's rainfall comes during the monsoon season. Monsoons are
the product of contrasts between low and high air pressure areas arising from unequal heatingof soil and water. During the hot months of April and May, hot air rises across the Indian
subcontinent, producing low-pressure areas in which colder, and moist-bearing winds fromthe Indian Ocean surge. This is the southwestern monsoon, which starts in June and typicallycontinues until September. Divided towards the Indian landmass, the monsoon flows into two
branches, one of which hits western India. The other passes up the Bay of Bengal and througheastern India and Bangladesh, crossing the plains to the north and northeast, until turning to
the west and northwest towards the foothills of the Himalayas.
Natural calamities, such as hurricanes, tropical cyclones, tornadoes, and tidal bores—
destructive waves or floods triggered by floods rushing up estuaries—stricken the region,

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ADRC Visiting Researcher Programme, FY2020, Country Report: Bangladesh

especially the coastal belt, almost every
year. Between 1947 and 1988, thirteen
cyclones

struckBangladesh,causingtremendous loss of life and property. In
May 1985, for example, a strong cyclone
storm, packed with 154 kilometres per hourof wind and waves 4 metres high, swept
southeast and south Bangladesh, killed
more than 11,000 citizens, destroyed morethan 94,000 homes, killed some 135,000
head of livestock, and damaged nearly 400
kilometresofcritically-needed

embankments (Wikipedia, 2021).
Annual monsoon rains result in loss of

Figure 3: Climate of Bangladesh

human life, disruption to property andcommunication networks and a lack of drinking water contributing to the spread of disease.
For example, two-thirds of Bangladesh's sixty-four districts sustained severe flood damage in1988 as a consequence of the exceptionally heavy rains that overwhelmed the river systems.
Millions were left homeless and lacking clean water. About 2 million tonnes of crops havebeen confirmed lost and rescue work has been rendered much more complicated than normal
because the flood has made transport of some sort incredibly difficult. There are nosafeguards against cyclones and tidal bores except for issuing early notice and having securepublic buildings where citizens can take refuge (Khatun, Rashid, & Hygen, 2016).

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ADRC Visiting Researcher Programme, FY2020, Country Report: Bangladesh

1.4. Administrative Divisions
Bangladesh is divided into eight administrative divisions,each named after their respective
divisionalHeadquarters:Barisal (officially Barishal), Chittagong (officially Chattogram), Dhaka, Khulna,,Mymensing,Rajshahi, Rangpur, and Sylhet.
Divisions are subdivided into districts (zila). There are 64
districts

inBangladesh,eachfurther

subdivided

into upazila (subdistricts) or thana. The area within eachpolice station, except for those in metropolitan areas, isdivided into several unions, with each union consisting ofmultiple villages. In the metropolitan areas, police stations
are divided into wards, which are further divided
into mahallas.There are no elected officials at thedivisional or district levels, and the administration iscomposed only of government officials. Direct elections
are held in each union (or ward) for a chairperson and anumber of members. In 1997, a parliamentary act was passed to

Figure 4: Administrative Divisions

reserve three seats (out of 12) in every union for female candidates (Wikipedia, 2021). There
are 08 large city corporations in Bangladesh. Dhaka is the capital and largest city of
Bangladesh.

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ADRC Visiting Researcher Programme, FY2020, Country Report: Bangladesh

1.5. Population
Estimates of the Bangladeshi population vary, but UN data suggests 161,376,708 (162.9
million) in 2017. Bangladesh is the world's eighth-most-populous nation and the mostdensely-populated large country in the world, ranking 7th in population density even whensmall countries and city-states are included. The country's population-growth rate was among
the highest in the world in the 1960s and 1970s, when its population grew from 65 to
110 million. With the promotion of birth control in the 1980s, Bangladesh's growth rate
began to slow. Its total fertility rate is now 2.05,lower than India's (2.58) and Pakistan's (3.07).
The population is relatively young, with 34 percent aged 15 or younger and five percent 65 orolder. Life expectancy at birth was estimated at 72.49 years in 2016. Bengalis are 98 percentofthepopulation.Of

Bengalis, Muslims are

by Hindus, Christians and Buddhists.

The ethnic

the Chakma,,

Marma,

themajority,

followed

minority

population

includesKuki,

Khiang,

Tripuri,

Khumi, Murang, Mru, Chak, Lushei, Bawm, BishnupriyaManipuri, Khasi, Jaintia, Garo, Sant
al, Munda and Oraon tribes. The forcefully displaced Mayanmar citizen at around 1 million,
making Bangladesh one of the countries with the largest refugee populations in the world(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bangladesh, 2021).

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ADRC Visiting Researcher Programme, FY2020, Country Report: Bangladesh

1.6. Education
Bangladesh has a literacy rate of 72.9 percent as of 2018: 75.7% for males and 70.09% forfemales. The country's educational system is three-tiered and heavily subsidised, with thegovernment operating many schools at the primary, secondary and higher secondary levels
and subsidizing many private schools. In the tertiary education sector, the Bangladeshi
government funds over 45 state universities through the University Grants Commission.The
education system is divided into five levels: primary (first to fifth grade), junior secondary(sixth to eighth grade), secondary (ninth and tenth grade), higher secondary (11th and 12th
grade), and tertiary.Five years of secondary education (including junior secondary) ends witha Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examination. Since 2009, the Primary Education
Closing (PEC) examination has also been introduced. Students who pass the PEC
examination proceed to secondary or matriculation training, culminating in the SSC
examination.Students who pass the PEC examination proceed to three years of juniorsecondary education, culminating in the Junior School Certificate (JSC) examination.
Students who pass this examination proceed to two years of higher secondary education,
culminating in the Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSC) examination. Education is
primarily in Bengali, but English is commonly taught and used. Many Muslim families send
their children to part-time courses or full-time religious education in Bengali and Arabic inmadrasas. Article 17 of the Bangladesh Constitution (The Constitution of the People's
Republic of Bangladesh) provides that all children between the ages of six and ten years
receive a basic education free of charge (Bangladesh, 2021).Universities in Bangladesh are ofthree general types: public (government-owned and subsidised), private (privately owned
universities) and international (operated and funded by international organisations). They are
accredited by and affiliated with the University Grants Commission (UGC), created byPresidential Order 10 in 1973.The country has 47 public,105 private and twointernational universities . (Wikipedia, 2021).

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ADRC Visiting Researcher Programme, FY2020, Country Report: Bangladesh

1.7.Economy
Bangladesh has the world's 39th largest economy in terms of market exchange rates and 29thlargest in terms of purchasing power parity, which ranks second in South Asia afterIndia. Bangladesh is also one of the world's fastest-growing economies and one of the fastest
growing middle-income countries. The country has a market-based mixed economy.
A developing nation, Bangladesh is one of the Next Eleven emerging markets. Economic
growth slowed to 5.24 percent in FY2019-20, according to the provisional estimates of BBS,
which is the lowest since FY2008-09. As per final estimate GDP growth was 8.15 percent in
FY2018-19. According to the provisional estimate of BBS, the growth of agriculture sector
has slowed to 3.11 percent in FY2019-20, from 3.92 percent in FY2018-19. During the same
period, industry sector grew by 6.48 percent, which was 12.67 percent in the previous fiscal
year. The service sector grew by 5.32 percent in FY2019-20 compared to 6.78 percent in theprevious fiscal year. The contribution of agricultural, industry and service sectors reached at
13.35 percent, 35.36 percent and 51.30 present respectively in FY2019-20 against 13.65
percent, 35.00 percent and 51.35 percent respectively in the previous fiscal year.
The economy is driven by strong domestic demand. The private sector of Bangladesh has
rapidly expanded, with a number of conglomerate driving the economy. Major industries
include textiles, pharmaceuticals, shipbuilding, steel, electronics, energy, construction
materials, chemicals, ceramics, food processing, and leather goods. Export-oriented
industrialization has increased with fiscal year 2018–19 exports increasing by 10.1% over theprevious year to $40 billion. Most export earnings are from the garment-manufacturingindustry. Bangabandhu Bridge, commonly called the Jamuna Multi-purpose Bridge, was the
11th longest bridge in the world and the 6th longest bridge in South Asia when constructed in
1998.Agriculture is the largest sector of the economy, making up 14.2 percent of
Bangladesh's GDP in 2017 and employing about 42.7 percent of the work force.The
agricultural

sectorimpacts

employment

generation,

poverty

alleviation, humanresources development and food security. More Bangladeshis earn their living fromagriculture than from any other sector. The country is among the top producersof rice (fourth), potatoes (seventh), tropical fruits (sixth), jute (second), and farmed fish
(fifth).Bangladesh is the seventh-largest natural gas producer in Asia, ahead of neighbouring
Myanmar, and 56 percent of the country's electricity is generated by natural gas.The country

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ADRC Visiting Researcher Programme, FY2020, Country Report: Bangladesh

has three UNESCO World Heritage Sites (the Mosque City, the Buddhist Vihara andthe Sundarbans) and five tentative-list sites (MoF, 2020).

1.8.Art and Culture
Bangladesh is a melting pot of races. She, therefore, has a mixed culture. Her deep rooted
heritage is amply reflected in her architecture, literature, dance, drama, music and painting.
Bangladeshi culture is influenced by three great
religions- Hinduism, Buddhism andIslam in successive order, with Islam having the most pervading and lasting impact. Like acolorful montage, the cultural tradition of the country is a happy blending of many variants,
unique in diversity but in essence greatly symmetrical.

Figure 5: Ahsan Monzil

Figure 6: Bengali Traditional Handcraft Nokhsi Katha

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ADRC Visiting Researcher Programme, FY2020, Country Report: Bangladesh

Chapter-2: Disaster management overview
2.1. Country risk profile
Bangladesh is considered as a developing economy. Bangladesh has achieved rapid andspectacular improvements in many social development indicators during the last two decades
or so. Within South Asia, Bangladesh has improved its position in the region as a whole in a
number of human development indicators. (Asadullah, Mahmud, & Savoia, 2012).This has
all been achieved against the backdrop of being exposed to over population, natural andhuman-induced hazards. It is estimated that 14% of Bangladesh’s GDP is exposed to disasters
on an annual basis. This is a testament to the innate resilience of the Bangladeshi people who
continue to make developmental progress while living with disasters and climate risk (MoEF,
2013). Every year the country faces many natural disasters like floods, cyclone, tidal surges,
tornado, thunderstorm, river and costal erosion, landslides, salinity intrusion, hailstorm,
extreme weather events etc (Agrawala, 2003). With the country’s geographical location, its
topography and high population density, the frequent occurrence of natural hazard events
often offsets in high loss of life and economic damage. Simultaneously, the country is at risk
from adverse impacts of climate change and variability. It is therefore likely that both acutehazards (such as flooding or cyclonic events) and chronic hazards (drought, sea level rise andsaline intrusion, for example) will be more damaging to human lives and properties in thecontexts of flourishing economic conditions where more investments will create more
economic activities, e.g. infrastructure and human engagements in areas susceptible todifferent hazards. The disasters that Bangladesh experiences are primarily originated fromthree factors such as :(i) physical conditions (like low lying topography, fluvial systems) and relative location of
the country in the region causing hydro-meteorological hazards like floods, cyclone, riverbank erosion etc.
(ii) man-made conditions that trigger various types of disasters such as road accidents,
building collapse, fire hazards etc. and

15

ADRC Visiting Researcher Programme, FY2020, Country Report: Bangladesh(iii) climate change impacts which bring in subtle alterations in the physical, hydrological,
biological processes and cause different kinds of slow but progressive changes leading todifferent hazards like droughts, water logging, salinity intrusion etc.

These differences in the origin of disasters uniquely characterize the disaster events andcreate varied impact conditions in different parts of Bangladesh which suggest that different
approaches are required by state agencies to reduce disasters impacts where possible and tobetter manage where
Others (fog, insect invasion)

344 (7.9%)

Hailstorm

mitigation
possible.

518 (11.88%)

SalinityisThe

approaches

178 (4.09%)

accommodate
Landslides

3 (0.08%)

River/coastal erosion

not

and

tools

strategies

sensitive to different

215 (4.95%)

disaster contexts forThunderstorm

651 (14.94%)

Storm and tidal surge

377 (8.65%)

Tornadohandling

disaster

impacts

effectively

and efficiently. In this180 (4.14)

regard,Cyclone929 (21.31%)

Water logging

605 (13.88%)
1503(34.48%)Flood
Drought
500

1000

occurringinBangladesh

arebroadly
intocategorized
twogroupsconsidering

645 (14.8%)0disasters

1500

2000

institutional

level

impactFigure 7: Affected Households

management
aspects. These are strong and rapid disaster onslaughts covering common natural hazards likefloods, cyclones, earthquakes and man induced disasters like fire hazards, building collapse
etc. The second category is slow and progressive disasters induced by change in the climaticconditions such as water logging, salinity intrusion, sea level rise etc. Table 2 highlight the16

ADRC Visiting Researcher Programme, FY2020, Country Report: Bangladesh

major types of disasters with major attributes and Figure 7 depicts the number of affectedhouseholds from 2009 to 2015. Table 2: Major Types of Disaster

Disaster

Scenario

Socio-economic vulnerability and risk exposure


Flood

Floods occur annually, reaching their most severe inmonths of July and August. The floods of 1988, 1998,
and 2004 were catastrophic resulting in large scale
destruction and loss of lives.



Cyclone andStorm surges

Tropical cyclones accompanied by storm surges areannual disaster phenomena in Bangladesh. In an
average year, the country’s coast is hit by 1.3
cyclones, the more severe (1970, 1991, 2007 & 2009)of which caused devastation and huge loss of lives.






Nor’weasters
and Tornadoes

Earthquake

River Bank
ErosionLandslideOccurring most commonly during the pre- and postmonsoon (March to May, and October to November),Nor’ westers bring the much-needed pre-monsoon
rain, but also cause devastation and destruction. The
frequencies of devastating nor ’westers usually reachmaximum in April and minimum in March.



Bangladesh is in a seismically active region. It has
experienced numerous moderate to large-scale eventsin the last 100 years. None of these, however, has hada catastrophic impact
It is estimated that 5% of total floodplain of
Bangladesh is directly affected by river bank erosion.
During monsoon, extensive overbank spills, bankerosion and bank line shifts have become typical andthe unpredictable shifting behavior of rivers and theirencroachments not only affect rural floodplains but
also hinder urban growth centers and infrastructures.
Common in hilly areas of southeastern Bangladesh
especially in Bandarban, Rangamati, Khagrachhari
and Cox’s bazar. The events of June 2007 in
Chittagong, in which more than 120 people died,
clearly demonstrate that.













Fire

Infrastructure
collapse

Traffic
accidents

Fires in urban settings are common in Bangladesh,causing huge loss of life and damage to properties
every year. Fire incidents in the country are
increasing at an alarming rate. In 2004 alone, a totalof 7,140 fire incidents occurred
Incidents of infrastructure collapse are on the rise, andBangladesh has witnessed the collapse of a number ofindustrial buildings in recent years.

Fatalities and injuries from road accidents are a
growing concern..





17

The 1988 flood affected 2/3rd area of the country.
The 1998 flood affected 67% area of the country and caused 1,100
deaths, rendered 30 million people homeless, damaged 500,000 homes
and caused heavy loss to infrastructure.
The 2004 flood inundated about 38% of the country (WARPO, 2005).
About 747 people lost their lives, 2500 kilometers of embankment weredamaged, and 74 primary school buildings were washed away. This
flood caused economic loss of about US$ 2200 Million.
Super cyclone Sidr hit the Bangladesh coast in November 2007, killingaround 3,406 people and costing the economy approximately US$2.3
billion.
AILA caused 190 deaths of people in 2009.
The 1991 cyclone killed 138,882 people and living as many as 10 million
homeless causing 1.5 billion USD in damage.
The 1970 cyclone was deadliest in killing 300,000 people and theestimated damage was 86.4 million USD.
Wind-speeds in nor ‘westers do not exceed 113-130 km/hr (70-80
miles/hr), though often their speeds exceed 162 km/hr (100 miles/hr).
When the winds become whirling with funnel shaped clouds having a
speed of several hundred kilometers or miles per hour, they are called
tornados.
Tornados are suddenly formed and are extremely localized in nature andof brief duration.
The record of approximately 150 years shows that Bangladesh and thesurrounding regions experienced seven major earthquakes

Approximately 8,700 hectares of land are lost and around 180-200,000
people displaced annually due to river erosion in Bangladesh.
Kurigram, Gaibandha, Jamalpur, Bogra, Sirajganj, Tangail, Pabna andManikganj districts along Jamuna River, and Rajbari, Faridpur,
Manikganj, Dhaka, Munshiganj, Shariatpur and Chandpur districts arealong Padma River, are the country’s most erosion prone zones
Causes of landslides include: earthquakes, sustained rainfall, unregulated
anthropogenic developments, mining, and, as is most common in
Bangladesh, heavy rainfall. Deforestation, hill cutting, and unregulated
development work can also contribute to the likelihood of landslides.
The effects of jhum cultivation and other forms of cultivation in the steep
slopes also play significant role in occurrence of landslides.
Landslides often affect most severely the poorer sections of the
population, because poverty and landlessness force poor people to live on
the slide-prone hill slopes.
Factory fires are more frequent in Bangladesh as fire incidents in the
country are increasing at an alarming rate. In 2004 alone, a total of 7,140
fire incident occurred which caused damage to property worth more thanTk. 200 crore.
Vulnerability increased due to inaccessibility of site to the equipment
even though all the required equipment is mobilized, unfamiliarity with
understanding and practical collapse condition and lack of awareness ofmass people on stages of rescue operation.
According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, 3,193 people were
killed and 2,409 injured in traffic accidents during 2006

ADRC Visiting Researcher Programme, FY2020, Country Report: Bangladesh

2.1.1 Earthquake Risk
Earthquake hazard poses huge threats to the lives of people, damage of property andeconomy in Bangladesh because of its location in the tectonically active Himalayan
orogenic belt. The major earthquakes happened in Bangladesh include 1548 earthquake
hit in Chittagong and Sylhet regions, earthquake stricken in 1642 in Sylhet district,
earthquake took place in 1918 in Sylhet district, 1762 earthquake that shaken most parts of
Bangladesh, great Indian earthquake happened in 1897 (8.7 magnitude on Richter Scale)caused huge damage in Dhaka, Sylhet and Mymensingh districts. In recent memories,
1997, 1999 and 2003 earthquake in greater Chittagong regions caused local level damages.
Study suggests that around 250,000 buildings in the three major cities of Bangladesh like
Dhaka, Chittagong and Sylhet are extremely vulnerable to earthquakes (CDMP 2009).
Some 142,000 among 180,000 (79%) buildings in Chittagong; 24,000 out of 52,000 in
Sylhet (46%); and 78,000 out of 326,000 buildings (24%) in Dhaka were detected as risky
to earthquake hazards. MoDMR has carried out several studies to assess earthquake risks
especially for urban conditions. For example, risk assessments were carried out for Dhaka,
Chittagong and Sylhet (CDMP) and also for cities like Bogra, Dinajpur, Mymensingh,
Rajshahi, Rangpur, and Tangail (CDMP, 2009) . Ministry of Disaster Management(MoDRM) in 2015 study identified major earthquake risks which are mentioned asfollows:
 In general, at short return period, i.e. 43 years, the observed seismicity in andaround Bangladesh controls the hazard for most considered structural periods.
 Ground motion across Bangladesh represented by PGA is in the range of
0 .1-0 .6g, corresponding to the 475-year return period and in the range of
0.1-1.0 g, corresponding to the 2,475-year return period.
 The effect of high-slip-rate of Duaki fault could be observed as the largest
seismic hazard in Bangladesh.
Management of earthquake risks needs mitigation, preparedness, emergency response andrecovery plans. MoDMR prepared contingency plans for emergency response and recovery
stages of earthquake disaster management for different levels. The contingency plans also
may help to design appropriate mitigation and preparedness plans. However, scenario based
contingency plan has been prepared for national level. In addition, contingency plansdeveloped for city level, e.g. for the city corporations in Dhaka, Chittagong and Sylhet.
Agency level contingency plans include Department of Disaster Management (DDM), Armed

18

ADRC Visiting Researcher Programme, FY2020, Country Report: Bangladesh

Forces Division (AFD ), Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Fire Service andCivil Defense (FSCD), Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Limited(TGTDCL), Bangladesh Telecommunication Company Limited (B TCL), Dhaka PowerDistribution Company Limited (DPDC) and Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority(DWASA). Scenario based contingency plans have also been prepared at city level for thecities of Bogra, Dinajpur, Mymensingh, Rajshahi, Rangpur and Tangail, and at Ward Levelfor Dhaka North City Corporation (13 Wards), Dhaka South City Corporation (12 Wards),
Chittagong City Corporation (15 Wards) and Sylhet City Corporation (10 Wards ). The plans
have identified evacuation routes, emergency shelter locations and identified gaps in the
resource and needs by the responding agencies.
Table 3: Status of buildings-at-risk in different cities of Bangladesh to earthquake hazards

Moderate
Damage (%)

Complete
Damage (%)

Totalbuildings

Moderate
Damage (%)

Complete
Damage (%)

9829

Total
buildings

73, 27

Informal
Structures

Complete
Damage (%)

3.85
0Masonry
Structure

Moderate
Damage (%)

92830

Concrete
StructureTotalbuildings

Bogra Municipality

Generationof debris% of steel
followed bybrick/wood

Total
numbe
r
of
buildings(Metric Ton)

Cities

22.8

8.3
7

6128
8

19.7
9

32.1
9

202
27

18.5
4

0.1

6

Dinajpur Municipality

41955

1.39
0

75, 25

3929

22.7
4

1.7
8

2331
8

25.7

16.1
6

805
7

14.4
8

0

Mymensingh
Municipality

45033

4.55

70, 30

7703

0.58

97.
77

2678
9

0.57

91.7
7

105
41

38.3
6

1.57

Rajshahi
Corporation

City

93885

1.61
0

68, 32

7982

23.8
5

8.6
2

8061
8

29.7
3

18.8
4

514
2

18.0
7

0.14

Rangpur
Corporation
municipal area)

City
(old

76444

2.81

73, 27

6294

31.3
3

29.
32

3743
6

13.8
4

42.1
8

326
94

10.6
6

0.15

68348

0.35

72, 28

4864

20.5
4

10.
57

1307
6

40.0
4

5.93

444
17

12.0
7

0

Tangail Municipality

Source: (MoDMR, Earthquake Risk, 2015)

The relative location of the country, low-lying land topography, tropical climatic pattern,strongly active hydrological processes all in combined fashion makes the country sensitiveand vulnerable to different type of hazards. A brief review of the physical characteristics
might give an understanding about the susceptibility of the country to hazards whichsometimes lead to disasters conditions.

19

ADRC Visiting Researcher Programme, FY2020, Country Report: Bangladesh

2.1.2 Thunderstorm: A new disaster frontier in Bangladesh
The pre-monsoon hot summer season from the month of March to May brings with it heat,rainfall and thunderstorm every year. With the shifting from winter anti-cyclonic pressure
regime to summer, this season has a hallmark characteristic of high temperature and cyclonicstorms brewing in the Bay of Bengal. Lightning-strike normally peaks in this season.
Lightning has suddenly drawn attention of the citizens of Bangladesh with its sudden
onslaught as something more than a hazard, rather a disaster. Particularly, death of a large
number of people due to lightning this year (in the month of April, May and June) i.e. 2016
caused and spread panic across the country. The State Minister, Disaster Management andRelief, Bangladesh informed the Members of the Parliaments on 5th of June 2016 that 142
people have been died of thunderstorms this year2 with the highest 15 people in Habigonj
district. This death toll and damage of assets made Government of Bangladesh to include
Thunderstorm hazards (and associated lightening) as a national disaster.
Climate scientist suggest (Diffenbaugh N.S., 2013) that in future the energy available forconvection( called convective available potential energy or CAPE) will increase in climatechange induced greenhouse gas forcing conditions. As high value of CAPE is conducive forsevere thunderstorms, we can expect to have more thunderstorms and lightning hazards infuture in Bangladesh. With global warming expected to continue in future, thunderstorms will
occur more frequently given conducive context for it to form (Samenow, 2013).

20

ADRC Visiting Researcher Programme, FY2020, Country Report: Bangladesh

2.2. Natural hazards likely to affect
Historicalstatistics

wouldsuggest that Bangladesh is one
of

the

most

disasterprone

countries in the world with
great

negative

consequences

being associated with various
natural

and

human

inducedhazards.

The

geophysicallocation,landcharacteristics,

multiplicity of rivers and themonsoonclimaterenderBangladesh highly vulnerable tonaturalhazards.

morphology

The

of

coastalBangladesh

influences the impact of natural
hazards on the area. Especially inthe south eastern area, natural

Figure 8: Areas Prone to Disaster Typehazards increase the vulnerabilityof the coastal dwellers. Following disaster occurred frequenly in Bangladesh:• Flood• Tropical Cyclone• Storm Surge• Tornado• River Bank Erosion• Drought• Earthquake

21

ADRC Visiting Researcher Programme, FY2020, Country Report: Bangladesh

And the Key factors of vulnerability are Geographical location, Dominance of flood plains,
Low elevation from the sea, warming & climate change,

High population density, Highlevel of poverty.

2.2.1 Flood
Floods are annual phenomena, with the most severe occurring during the months of Julyand August. Regular river floods affect 20% of the country, increasing up to 68% in
extreme years. The floods of 1988, 1998, 2004 and 2007 were particularly catastrophic,
resulting in large-scale destruction and loss of lives.
Flash floods caused by overflowing of hilly rivers in eastern and northern Bangladesh (inApril-May and September-November).
Rain floods caused by drainage congestion and heavy rains.
Monsoon floods caused by major rivers usually in the monsoon (during JuneSeptember).
Coastal floods caused by storm surges.
The 1998 flood lasted for 65 days from July
12 to September 14 and affected about 67%
of area of the country. In
theyear
2000, Bangladesh faced an unusual
flood over its usually flood-free south
western plain, which also caused loss oflife and massive damage to property.
In 2004, floods inundated about 38% of
the country. About 747 people lost theirlives.
About
2,500 kilometers ofembankment were damaged and about 74
primary school buildings were washed
away.
This
flood
caused economic
losses ofabout US$2,200
Million.
Floods continue to be major hazards in
Bangladesh.
Figure 9: Flood Prone Areas

To
mitigate
the impacts of floods, thegovernment has been developing
and implementing various measures to better
equip the country to deal with floods. The Ministry of Water Resources (MoWR) is
leading the country on flood mitigation initiatives. Important initiatives include Flood
Action Plan, Flood Hydrology Study, Flood Management Model Study, National Water
Management Plan, National Water Policy, Flood Early Warning System Study, etc.

22

ADRC Visiting Researcher Programme, FY2020, Country Report: Bangladesh

2.2.2. Tropical cyclone
Tropical cyclones fromthe Bay of Bengal accompanied by storm surges are one of themajordisastersinBangladesh.The country is
one of the worst sufferersof all cyclonic casualties intheworld. Numberofcasualties is due to the factthat cyclones are always
associatedwith

stormsurges. Storm surge heightin excess of 9m is notuncommon in this region.
For example,

the

1876

cyclone had a surge heightof 13.6 m and in 1970 theheight was 9.11 m. In fact,
the 1970 cyclone is thedeadliest cyclone that has
hit BangladeshWith

coastline.

Figure 10: Areas Affected to Cyclone

a wind-speed ofabout 224 km per hourandassociatedresponsible for deaths of about 300,000 people.

23

storm surge of 6.1 to 9.11m, it was

ADRC Visiting Researcher Programme, FY2020, Country Report: Bangladesh

Date

MaximumWind
speed(km/ hr)

Storm Surge Death Toll
Height(metres)

11 May1965

161

3.7 - 7.6

19,27915 December

1965

217

2.4 - 3.6873

01 October

1966

139

6.0 - 6.7

850

12 November

1970

224

6.0 - 10.0

300,000

25 May1985

154

3.0 - 4.6

11,06929 April

1991

225

6.0 - 7.6

138,882

19 May1997

232

3.1 - 4.6

155

15
(SIDR)

November 2007

223

4.2 - 4.63363

25 May (AILA)

2009

92

--

190

16May(Mahasen)

2012

130

--

16

Figure 11: Cyclone Shelter Location Map

24

Tabl
e 4:
Maj
or
cyclo
nes
that
hit
the
Bang
lade
sh

So
urc
e:
(B
MD,
202
0)

ADRC Visiting Researcher Programme, FY2020, Country Report: Bangladesh

2.2.3.Tornado
The two transitional periods between southwest and northeast monsoons over the
Indian sub-continent are characterized by local severe storms. The transitional periods areusually referred to as pre-monsoon (March-May), and post-monsoon (OctoberNovember). It is the pre-monsoon period when most of the abnormal rainfall or drought
conditions frequently occur in different parts of Bangladesh. Also there are severe local
seasonal storms, popularly known as nor’westers (kalbaishakhi). Severe nor’westers
are generally associated with tornadoes. Tornadoes are embedded within a motherthundercloud, and moves along the direction of the squall of the mother storm. The
frequency of devastating nor’westers usually reaches the maximum in April, while a
few occur in May, and the
14 April 1969
Demra (Dhaka)
minimum in March. Nor’westers andtornadoes are more frequent in the
17 April 1973
Manikganj (Dhaka)
afternoon. Nor’westers may occur inlate February due to early withdrawal
10 April 1974
Faridpurof winter from Bangladesh, Bihar,West Bengal, Assam, and adjoining
11 April 1974
Bogra
areas. The occasional occurrence of
nor’westers in early June is due to thedelay in the onset of the southwest
09 May 1976
Narayanganj
monsoon over the region. Wind speeds
in nor’westers usually do not exceed
01 April 1977
Faridpur113-130 km/hr (70-80 miles/hr),though often their speeds exceed 162
26 April 1989
Saturia (Manikganj)
km/hr (100 miles/hr). When the winds
become whirling with funnel shaped
14 May 1993
Southern Bangladesh
clouds having a speed of several
hundred kilometers or milesper
13 May 1996
Tangailhour, they are called tornados.
04 May 2003

Brahmanbaria

21 March 2005

Gaibandha

22 March 2013

Brahmanbaria

Table 5: The devastating northwesters and tornadoes
that hit Bangladesh.

Nor’westers bring the much-needed
pre-monsoon rain. They can also cause a lot of havoc and destruction. Tornados are suddenly
formed and are extremely localized in nature and of brief duration. Thus, it is very difficult tolocate them or forecast their occurrence with the techniques available at present. However,25

ADRC Visiting Researcher Programme, FY2020, Country Report: Bangladesh

high-resolution satellite pictures, suitable radar, and a network of densely spaced
meteorological observatories could be useful for the prediction or for issuing warnings of
nor’westers
andtornados.

26

ADRC Visiting Researcher Programme, FY2020, Country Report: Bangladesh

2.2.4.Riverbank erosion
River erosion in Bangladesh is noless dangerous

than

other

sudden and devastating calamities.
Losses due to river erosion occur
slowly andgradually.

losses

slow

they

are
are

far-reaching

Thoughand gradual,

more destructive
than

other

and

suddenand devastating calamities. The
effects of river erosion are longterm. It takes a few decades to makeFigure 12: River Erosion

up the losses, which a family has incurred by river erosion. There has been little
progress, however, for improving thelives of erosion-affected people

due

to

resource

constraint. This is an ongoing disaster and there is no specific indicator to measure theextent ofdamage. So

theextent of damage
cases

caused

by

river

is

based

erosionin mostonvariousreports/information.
Needlesstosay whatever the difference inascertaining theextentofdamageerosion causes

huge

loss

of

property

throughout

year.

Accordingto “World

DisastertheReportriver

2001” published by

IFRCS every year about 10,00,000 people areaffected by river erosion and 9,000 hectare
cultivable lands are banished in river. Among these
Figure 13: Riverbank Erosion Map

only a few affected people are able to find new shelters
while others become homeless for uncertain period. A

recent study of CEGIS (2005) shows that bank erosion along Padma River during 1973 –2004 was 29,390 hectares and along Jamuna River during 1973 – 2004, it was 87,790
hectares.

27

ADRC Visiting Researcher Programme, FY2020, Country Report: Bangladesh

2.2.5.Drought
Drought conditions due to deficiency inrainfall affect different parts of Bangladesh
mostly duringthepre-monsoon

andpost-monsoon

periods.

Between1949 and 1991, droughts occurred in
Bangladesh

24times.

Verysevere

droughts hit the country in1951, 1957,
1958, 1961, 1972, 1975, 1979, 1981, 1982,
1984 and 1989. Past

droughts

havetypically affected about 47% area ofthe country and 53% of the population(WARPO,

2005).

Bangladesh

Figure 14: Drought

faces

unpredictable drought hazard in the dry monsoon due to inadequate and uneven rainfall. It
varies from place to place, however, and the northwestern regionsuffers most from thedrought. As much as 17% of the Aman crops, the main paddy crops in the wet season may belost in a typical year due to drought.

Figure 15: Drought Map

28

ADRC Visiting Researcher Programme, FY2020, Country Report: Bangladesh

2.2.6. Earthquake
The historical seismic data of Bangladesh
and adjoining areas indicate that Bangladesh
isvulnerable to earthquake hazard. The
record of approximately 150 years showsthat Bangladesh and the surrounding regions
experienced seven major earthquakes (withMb =7). In the recent past, a number oftremors of moderate to severe intensity had
already

taken

place

in

and

aroundBangladesh. The Sylhet Earthquake (Mb =5.6) of May 8, 1997, the Bandarban
Figure 16: Earthquake Zones in Bangladesh

Earthquake (Mb = 6.0) of November 21,
1997, the Moheshkhali Earthquake (Mb=

5.1) of July 22, 1999, the Barkal (Rangamati) Earthquake (Mb=5.5) of July 27, 2003, theMeghalay Earthquake (Mb=5.2) of March 02, 2013 and many more shakes in the recent
years may be cited as examples. Bangladesh and the northeastern Indian states have long
been one of the seismically active regions of the world, and have experienced numerous
large earthquakes during the past 200 years. Many of seismic-tectonic studies have been
undertaken on the area comprising the Indo-Burmanranges and their western extension andin the northern India.
Major active fault zones of the country have beendelineated through geologicaltrenching and dating methods. A seismic zoning map of Bangladesh has been proposed in1979 by Geological Survey of Bangladesh (GSB) dividing the country into three seismiczone which was accompanied by an outline of a code for earthquake resistant design.
Later, a new updated seismic zoning map and detailed seismic design
havebeen incorporated in Bangladesh National Building

A seismicity map of Bangladesh and its adjoining
BMD

and

areas

has

provisions

Code

(BNBC

1993).

also

been preparedby

GSB. Bangladesh has been classified into three seismic zones withzone-3 the most and zone-1 the least vulnerable to seismic risks.

29

ADRC Visiting Researcher Programme, FY2020, Country Report: Bangladesh

Date

Name

Magnitude

Epicentral
Distance
from
Dhaka
(km)

Epicentral
Distancefrom Sylhet
City (km)Epicentral
Distance
from
Chittagong
(km)

7.5

250

70

280

(Richter)

10January,1869

CacharEarthquake

14 July, 1885

BengalEarthquake

7.0

170

220

350

12June, 1897

Great Indian
Earthquake

8.7

230

80

340

8 July, 1918

Shrimongal
Earthquake

7.6

150

60

200

2 July, 1930

DhubriEarthquake

7.1

250

275

415

15
1934

Bihar-Nepal
Earthquake

8.3

510

530

580

Assam
Earthquake

8.5

780

580

540

January,

15 August,
1950

Table 6: Major Earthquake

30

ADRC Visiting Researcher Programme, FY2020, Country Report: Bangladesh

2.3. Recent Major Disasters

May 2020 - Tropical Cyclone Amphan
On 20 May 2020, Tropical Cyclone Amphan reached Bangladesh. As of 22 May, theofficial death toll in Bangladesh was 17, with the UN estimating 10 million people and 19
districts were affected. GoB’s Early Warning system, the successful massive evacuations tocyclone shelters respective of COVID-19 mitigation measures, and the power of themangrove forest of the Sundarbans contributed to reduce the impact of the cyclone and to
reduce the loss of lives as well as the damages to infrastructures. According to MoDMR
330,667 houses were damaged including 55,667 totally destroyed in nine most impacted
districts: Khulna, Satkhira, Barguna, Bhola, Patuakhali, Pirojpur, Noakhali, Bagerhat andJessore. Damage was mostly due to tidal surge causing embankments to collapse or
overflow. Bangladesh Armed Forces provided medical assistance, emergency rescue andrelief assistance. BDRCS provided food and emergency relief items in affected districts inaddition to funding the immediate repair of 200 tube-wells and for the rapid installation of
100 communal latrines. CSOs and NGOs are using their prepositioned items to contribute to
the relief efforts.

July 2019 – Monsoon Floods
Despite the delayed onset of the monsoon, heavy rainfall occurred during the first half ofJuly 2019 which triggered widespread flooding. Floods damaged and destroyed vital
infrastructures including 6,641 kilometers of roads, 1,275 bridges and culverts as well as
1,515 kilometers of embankments. With the support of the Ministry of Disaster Management
and Relief (MoDMR), the humanitarian community conducted a Joint Needs Assessment(JNA). Among the 28 districts affected by the floods, the JNA report identified nine most
severely affected districts: Jamalpur, Kurigram, Gaibandha, Sylhet, Sirajganj, Tangail,Sunamganj, Bogura, Bandarban. In those districts, 85% of the overall displacement occurredequivalent to 261,499 persons including 57,406 school-age children (29,407 boys and28,002 girls). Among the displaced population, 239,387 persons were living in makeshift
shelters (schools, colleges) or on embankments and some returned as water started to recede31

ADRC Visiting Researcher Programme, FY2020, Country Report: Bangladesh

in their areas. Associated riverbank erosion permanently displaced more than 8,000 people
equivalent to 1,654 households in Kurigram, Bogura and Tangail districts.131

July 2018 – Floods
On 25 July 2018, heavy monsoon rains caused landslides and flooding in the southeast,
killing five children near Cox’s Bazar and Ramu. Approximately 21,000 Rohingya refugees
in the camps were relocated because their shelters were threatened by landslides.

August 2017 – Floods
Heavy monsoon rains caused intense flooding across more than one-third of Bangladesh. The
Bangladesh Meteorological Department provided heavy rainfall warnings. As per the analysis
by the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief (MoDMR), the floods were the worst in
the last four decades. Incessant heavy rainfall brought by the monsoon triggered flooding infive divisions, 31 districts, 176 Upazilas and 1,173 Unions. Findings from the 72-hours
Needs Assessment were published on 21 August and they indicated that a total of about 6.9
million people (1.54 million households) were affected by the floods. National authorities
confirmed 114 deaths and 197,416 people were temporarily displaced in 703 community
shelters. As a result of the extensive floods, 77,272 houses were destroyed, 524,375 werepartially damaged. Findings of the 72-hours Needs Assessment also highlighted that innorthern Bangladesh, the following were the six worst-affected districts: Gaibhandha,
Dinajpur, Kurigram, Jamalpur, Nilphamari, Sirajganj. In these districts, a total of 330,000
people were displaced. Access to the most affected areas in the northwest was a challenge as
roads were either severely damaged or submerged under flood water. Approximately 9,000
km of roads, 500 bridges and culverts were damaged. Nearly 100 km of rail lines wereseverely damaged by the floods. Around 714 km of embankments were also washed away.

June 2017 – Landslides
The June landslides, which started on 13th June with a few episodes, resulted in heavy loss oflife (160 persons), injury (187 persons), destruction of houses (6,000 structures), and otherkey infrastructures despite being localized in impact. It was the worst landslide-related

32

ADRC Visiting Researcher Programme, FY2020, Country Report: Bangladesh

disaster since 2007. It affected approximately 80,000 persons across five districts: Bandarban,
Chittagong, Cox’s Bazar, Khagrachari and, Rangamati. Among these people, 34, 000 wereseverely impacted as they lost their houses together with their belongings, basic necessities,
livelihoods and food stocks.

2016 - Cyclone Roanu
On 21 May 2016, Cyclone Roanu made landfall in Bangladesh, about one week after it struck
Sri Lanka as a tropical storm. The cyclone caused the deaths of at least 27 people in
Bangladesh, though many more in Sri Lanka. Thanks to early warning systems, half a million
people were evacuated to shelters. Cyclone Roanu affected 1.3 million people, bringing
winds over 100 km/hour (62 miles/hour), heavy rain, and storm surges peaking at 2.7 meters(8.9 feet).127 The Bangladesh Armed Forces were among the responders.

Cyclone Aila (May 2009)
CycloneAila

hit

the Bangladeshon

Monday25May 2009 and has

produced substantial

damageacross areas of southern Bangladesh. It

immediate deaths,

injuriestocaused190

7,103 people and more than 500,000 people tobecome homeless. The total damage was $ 1.7billion.

Cyclone Sidr (November 2007)
Cyclone Sidr hit
people, killed

the coastal areas on

3,363 andinjured

15 November

2007.

It affected 87,000

55,282 and 564,000 homes have been destroyed

8,85,280 houses have been damaged. Total damage

andlosses were

(in

USD)

23billion.

Cyclone (April 1991)
On April 29, 1991, a cyclone struck the country of Bangladesh, causing a massive storm
surge and widespread flooding. Approximately 138,000 people perished in thisdisaster. Although cyclones frequently hit this region of the world, this cyclone
was one of the strongest hurricanes in recent history. The 270 km/hr wind speed
33

ADRC Visiting Researcher Programme, FY2020, Country Report: Bangladesh

caused a 6 meter high storm surge that flooded a large area of the country. The total
damage was $ 1.5 billion.
Cyclone (November 1970)
The 1970 Bhola cyclone was a devastating tropical cyclone that struck Bangladesh
onNovember 12, 1970. It remains the deadliest tropical cyclone ever recorded, andone of themeter)

deadliest

storm surge

natural disasters
causedinmodern times.

The

34.8

foot (10.6

the highest tropical cyclone death toll in history, about

300,000 people were killed. Two hundred and fifty miles of coastline on the Bay of Bengal
was devastated and homes, crops, cattle and poultry, everything washed away. The total
damage was US$24 billion.

34

ADRC Visiting Researcher Programme, FY2020, Country Report: Bangladesh

Chapter-3:Disaster Management System in Bangladesh
3.1. Disaster Risk
Proper understanding of disaster risks is the prerequisite to devise necessary strategy,
mobilize resources for reducing disaster risks and at the same time to put appropriate systems
in place for efficient handling impact events. However, there should be a conceptual
construct how to assess potential risks for different sectors (e.g. health, education, settlement,
employment and livelihoods etc.) operating at different tiers (e.g. national, regional and local,
household levels), at different times for different disasters. Involvement of multiple
dimensions of these kinds indicates that understanding disaster risks is not straight forward
phenomenon; it rather needs a comprehensive and systematic approach to assess thechallenges induced from disasters.

Considering the necessity and importance inunderstanding the risks, different directives promulgated in policy instruments (both local andinternational), different risk assessment tools and processes were adopted, loss and damage
assessment studies conducted, early warning systems and communication modes/processes
for disseminating risk information at community levels implemented to better understanddisaster risks.

3.1.1. Policy framework for Disaster Risk Reduction
Disaster Management has been considered as GOB’s one of the top priorities, which is now
focusing on shifting from post-disaster relief distribution to a disaster risk reduction culture.
This also gradually focused on mainstreaming efforts adopting inclusive approach including
gender mainstreaming in DRR. The National Plan for Disaster Management (2016-2016) andthe Disaster Management Act (2012) have become functional. A Disaster Management
Policy has also been prepared and is waiting for final approval. In addition to MoDMR, DRR
issues have also been taken as one of the key components of several policies and legislations
in Bangladesh. Some of the DRR inclusive documents can also be found in the plans andpolicies of other Ministries, few of them are: the Seventh Five Year Plan (2010-2015,
Ministry of Planning), BCCSAP (MoEF-GOB, 2009), National Women’s Advancement
Policy (Ministry of Women and Children Affairs/MoWCA, 2011), National Child Policy(2011) and Children Act (MOWCA, 2013), National Education Policy (Ministry of
Education, 2010), National Agriculture policy (MoA, 1999).

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ADRC Visiting Researcher Programme, FY2020, Country Report: Bangladesh

The National Plan for Disaster Management (NPDM, 2010-2015), led by Ministry of Disaster
Management and Relief (MoDMR)4, is an outcome of the HFA and of the process ofregional cooperation in South Asia (i.e., the SAARC Process). The NPDM focuses on
disaster management vision of Bangladesh, takes into consideration hazards, climate change,
linkages between disasters and development, national and International drivers for change
like MDGs, Hyogo Framework of Action (HFA) etc. All the issues involving methods,
strategic goals, regulatory framework, plans for disaster management, and implementation of
the plan, financing and follow up are planned to be executed in collaboration withstakeholders including the UN agencies, INGOs and NGOs (MoFDM, 2010).
The revised Standing Orders on Disaster (MoFDM, 2010) include various stakeholders suchas Ministry of Women and Children Affairs (MOWCA) in risk reduction activities. Such
activities involve responses during normal, warning, disaster and rehabilitation stages.
Department of Women Affairs (DWA) is assigned to carry out specific activities such as
ensuring participation of DWA representatives in different disaster management committees(DMC), ensuring women’s participation in the preparedness and disaster management
activities, play active role in identifying the gender gap and ensure its implementation in alldisaster management activities, provide livelihood support to women and children affected bydisasters. The National Policy for Women’s Advancement, 2011 has endorsed women indisaster as a separate theme for the first time in Bangladesh.

3.1.2 Risk informed sharing platform
Bangladesh has made good progresses in monitoring sub-regional and regional hazard risks.
Institutional arrangements exist between FFWC and neighboring state institutions, such as the
Indian Central Water Commission, to exchange hydrological and meteorological data on
trans-boundary rivers. Arrangements have been put in place to facilitate the sharing of
information regarding avian influenza outbreaks near borders between Bangladesh andneighboring states of India. Adoption of the South Asian Association for Regional
Cooperation (SAARC) Comprehensive Framework on Disaster Management created an
opportunity for the exchange of information and regional cooperation in risk assessments at
the regional level. During this reporting period, the SAARC agreement for Rapid Response to
Natural Disasters was ratified by Bangladesh to enhance regional cooperation andcollaboration on Disaster Risk Management (DRM). United Nations Platform for Space-

36

ADRC Visiting Researcher Programme, FY2020, Country Report: Bangladesh

based Information for Disaster Management and Emergency Response (UN-SPIDER) has
been continuing its efforts since 2011 towards use of space-based information for DRR as
follow up of Technical Advisory Mission (TAM) to Bangladesh. International NGOs havefacilitated the sharing of
information and knowledge on DRR and DM on a regular basis, especially during the hazard
and disaster season with neighboring states.

3.1.3.Risk inform to the community level
The Government of Bangladesh has strong Early Warning (EW) systems for cyclone andflooding. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) and FFWC produce anddisseminate disaster warning information through the media and institutions at the local level.
A community-based flood EW system has been piloted in three districts by MoDMR throughCDMP-II. DDM through DMCs disseminate EW information using local means; in addition
community members have access to EW information and daily weather bulletin by dialing
10941 on any mobile phone. DDM is disseminating forecasts of disasters using mobile
phones; for example, during cyclone Mahasen updates were sent on the cyclone‘s movement
through IVR and instructions were provided to DMCs through Short Message Service (SMS).
Weather forecasts from BMD are provided by the DAE in its Disaster and Climate Risk
Management in Agriculture (DCRMA) Project website and field offices. The GSB has
established landslide EW systems in parts of Chittagong, Cox‘s Bazar, and Teknaf cities; thiswill be extended to include three hill-tract towns. MoDMR has also established local EW
systems through 30 community radio stations. Using Space-based information, community
based flood EW dissemination system and inundation mapping have been piloted in two
flood-prone areas by DDM and FFWC, with support from the JAXA and the ADB. NGOs areworking closely with the Local Governments (LGs) to strengthen the EW dissemination
system. NGOs have mobilized youth volunteers to disseminate EW messages During
Cyclone Mahasen, along with CPP volunteers, children and youth groups supported by NGOs
were requested by the LGs to disseminate EW messages to their communities. The GoB andNGOs have built a technical partnership with the Regional Integrated Multi-hazard Early
Warning System (RIMES) to get scientific data.

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ADRC Visiting Researcher Programme, FY2020, Country Report: Bangladesh

3.2. Risk Governance to manage Disaster Risk

Bangladesh has become well known for its disaster management and risk reduction
approaches within the South Asian region. Being the most disaster prone country within theregion Bangladesh was the first country to establish a separate Disaster Management Bureau(DMB) in early nineties. Bangladesh has drafted a well-designed document- Standing
Orders on Disasters (SOD) in 1997 (revised in 2010), which explains specific roles of
relevant stakeholders during different phases of a disaster (DMB, 2010). In 2004 theMinistry of Food and Disaster Management (in 2012 the Ministry has been named as
Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief/MODMR) launched the Comprehensive
Disaster Management Programme (CDMP) to facilitate the reform of the disastermanagement approach by expanding its focus from reactive emergency response toproactive risk reduction. The past decade has seen the country to initiate a good number of
institutional structures and restructuring to achieve technical monitoring, capacity building,preparedness and response in reducing disaster risks. The MODMR, with its line agency
Department of Disaster Management, is responsible for coordinating national disastermanagement efforts across all agencies.A series of inter-related institutions, at bothnational and sub-national levels have been created for disaster management. As per
the
Rules
of
BusinessoftheGovernmentofBangladesh,
theMinistr
Figure 17: Disaster Management Institutions

38

ADRC Visiting Researcher Programme, FY2020, Country Report: Bangladesh

y of Disaster Management and Relief (MoDMR) is mandated to formulate policies,
prepare plans, and monitor and coordinate all aspectsof disaster activities.The fieldlevel activities of MoDMR are carried out by two subordinate offices e.g. the Department ofDisaster Management and Cyclone Preparedness Centre (CPP), While DDM is responsiblefor dissemination of all information on natural disasters, including flood information atcommunity level, flood preparedness, awareness raising and capacity building activities,
and also 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 and monitor

disastermanagement

activities

inBangladesh. The SOD has been prepared for concerned persons to understand theirdutiesandresponsibilities

regardingdisaster management. 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

DisasterManagement

Council(NDMC)andInter-Ministerial

DisasterManagement 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 byfacilitating the process. A series of inter-related institutions, at both nationaland sub-national levelshave been created to ensure effective planning and coordinationof disaster risk reduction and emergency response management.

3.3Regulative Framework
A number of policy and regulatory frameworks have been adopted and promulgated by appropriate
agencies in Bangladesh to reduce disaster risks. The major policies are mentioned in the following
sections.The Standing Orders on Disaster (MoDMR, 2019)provides a detailed institutionalframework for disaster risk reduction and emergency management. It outlines detailed roles and the
responsibilities of ministries, divisions, departments, various committees at different levels, and otherorganizations’ involved in disaster risk reduction and emergency management. It also describes thedetailed roles and responsibilities of Committees, Ministries, Divisions, Departments and otherorganizations involved in disaster risk reduction and emergency response management, andestablishes the necessary actions required in implementing Bangladesh’s Disaster Management Model,e.g., defining the risk environment, managing the risk environment, and responding to the threat
environment.

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ADRC Visiting Researcher Programme, FY2020, Country Report: Bangladesh

Disaster Management Act (MoDMR, 2012)was adopted after collective efforts given by the GoB anddevelopment and civil society actors to create a legislative tool under which disaster and emergency
management will be undertaken. It has placed mandatory obligations and responsibilities on ministries

Figure 18: Disaster Management Frameworkand committees, and ensures transparency and accountability in the overall disaster management
system. Nine rules are proposed to develop in order to strengthen disaster management activities.
Theobjectives of the DM Act (2012) are to substantial reduction of the overall risks of disasters to an
acceptable level with appropriate risk reduction interventions, effective implementation of postdisaster emergency response, rehabilitation and recovery measures, provision of emergency
humanitarian assistance to the most vulnerable community people, strengthening of institutional
capacity for effective coordination of disaster management involving government and nongovernment organizations and establishing a disaster management system capable of dealing with all
hazards for the country. The DM Act promotes a comprehensive disaster management program
upholding the all hazard, all risk and all sector approach where risk reduction as a core element ofdisaster management has equal emphasis with emergency response management with greater focus onequitable and sustainable development.

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ADRC Visiting Researcher Programme, FY2020, Country Report: Bangladesh

According to the National Plan for Disaster Management 2021-2025 (MoDMR, 2020) the vision isto reduce the risk of people, especially the poor and the disadvantaged, from the effects of natural,environmental and human induced hazards, to a manageable and acceptable humanitarian level, and tohave in place an efficient emergency response system capable of handling large scale disasters. The
Plan envisages a group of broad- strategies which are given below.
-

Maintaining the overall goal of building a resilient Bangladesh, the major objectives ofthe plan are to:
Identify the priority actions to guide the implementation of DM acts, policies andprograms in terms of action plans;
Provide a roadmap for progress and implementation of at least 25 core investments;
Incorporate DM aspects in the plan and programs of the sectoral ministries and agencies
to ensure risk informed development plans;
Explore the investment areas both in public and private sectors and also in hazard-prone
regions, communities;
Ensure inclusion of disability, class, ethnicity, religious minority and address gender in allplans and programs;
Include emerging disaster risks (earthquake), emphasize urban disaster risk (fire, building
collapse) and align those in the plan;
Promote risk governance in the DM programs, compliance including oversight andaccountability; andIllustrate to other ministries, NGOs, civil society and the private sector how their work
can contribute to the achievements of the strategic goals and government vision for DM.

In addition to these legislative frameworks on disaster management there are some sectoral polices
which indirectly support disaster risk management activities in different ways in Bangladesh. These
are National Debris Management Guideline 2015, Policy Guideline of Management of Dead after
Disasters 2016, Bangladesh Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan, National Food and Agriculture
Policy, National Education Policy, National Child Policy and Children Act, National Women
Advancement Policy, National Water Policy 1999.

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ADRC Visiting Researcher Programme, FY2020, Country Report: Bangladesh

3.4 National Disaster Context

 Frequently hit by various natural disasters like Cyclones, Storm surges, Floods,
Tornadoes, Droughts and other calamities.
 Monsoon flooding is an annual occurrence shaping lives and livelihoods.
 Climate change is likely to cause significant impact in the form of severe floods,
cyclones, droughts, sea level rise and salinity affecting agriculture, livelihoods,
natural orders, water supply, health etc.
 The disaster vulnerable people demonstrate strong coping capacity to face thedisasterchallenges.

3.4.1 GOB Vision on Disaster Management
To reduce the vulnerability of people, especially the poor, to the effects of natural,environmental and human induced hazards to a manageable

and acceptable

humanitarian level

3.4.2 Mission of the MODMR
To bring a paradigm shift in disaster management from conventional response and relief toa more comprehensive risk reduction culture.

3.4.3. Overall Objective
To strengthen the capacity of the Bangladesh Disaster Management System.

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ADRC Visiting Researcher Programme, FY2020, Country Report: Bangladesh

3.4.4 National Committees under SOD
The significant change in emergency and disaster management approaches demand institutional
restructuring in the governance portfolios. Consequently, the government of Bangladesh, led by the
Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, has undertaken various steps in the form of policy,
strategy and programs considering the concept of disaster management through mitigation,
preparedness, recovery and rehabilitation. The government established the Disaster Management
Bureau (DMB) under the Ministry of Disaster Management in 1993 to promote disaster prevention,
mitigation and preparedness, provide guidelines and to organize training and awareness for theconcerned people and stakeholders to mitigate the impacts of disasters. Currently, the DDM has
focused on risk reduction through community mobilization, capacity-building and linking risk
reduction with the socio-economic development of the poor and vulnerable groups and with
developing the DDM’s partnership with other government agencies, NGOs and internationalorganizations.
Table 7: Summary of institutional Mechanisms and Committees for Disaster Risk Reduction
Level

Summary
National Disaster Management Council (NDMC) headed by the Prime Minister for formulates andreview the disaster management policies and issue directives.
Inter-Ministerial Disaster Management Co-ordination Committee (IMDMCC) headed by the Ministerin charge of the Disaster Management and Relief Division (DM&RD) to implement disaster management
policies and decisions of NDMC / Government.
National Disaster Management Advisory Committee (NDMAC) headed by an experienced person
having been nominated by the Prime Minister
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 therelevant stakeholders
Earthquake Preparedness and Awareness Committee (EPAC) headed by minister for MoFDM and
DG, DMB act as member secretary
Cyclone Preparedness Program Implementation Board (CPPIB) headed by the Secretary, Disaster
Management and Relief Division to review the preparedness activities in the face of initial stage of animpending cyclone
Cyclone Preparedness Programme (CPP) Policy Committee headed by the Minister, MoFDM and
Secretary, DM&RD act as member secretary

National Level Bodies

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 andpublic awareness activities of the Government, NGOs and other organizations.
Focal Point Operation Coordination Group of Disaster Management (FPOCG) headed by the Director
General of DMB to review and coordinate the activities of various National Plan for Disaster Management
42 departments/agencies related to disaster management and also to review the Contingency Plan preparedby concerned departments
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
Committee for Speedy Dissemination of Disaster Related Warning/ Signals (CSDDWS) headed by the
Director General of DMB to examine, ensure and find out the ways and means for the speedy
dissemination of warning/ signals among the people

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ADRC Visiting Researcher Programme, FY2020, Country Report: Bangladesh

District Disaster Management Committee (DDMC) headed by the Deputy Commissioner (DC) tocoordinate and review the disaster management activities at the District level.
Upazilla Disaster Management Committee (UZDMC) headed by the UpazillaNirbahi Officer (UNO) tocoordinate and review the disaster management activities at the Upazilla level
Sub-national
BodiesLevel

Union Disaster Management Committee (UDMC) headed by the Chairman of the Union Parishad tocoordinate, review and implement the disaster management activities of the concerned Union
Pourashava Disaster Management Committee (PDMC) headed by Chairman of Pourashava(municipality) to coordinate, review and implement the disaster management activities within its area ofjurisdiction
City Corporation Disaster Management Committee (CCDMC) headed by the Mayor of City
Corporations to coordinate, review and implement the disaster management activities within its area ofjurisdiction.

3.5 National Institutions for Disaster Management
3.5.1 Department of Disaster Management (DDM)
DDM is designed as a small dynamic professionals unit at national level toperformspecialised functions in the field of disaster preparedness, local disaster action
planning, contingency planning, raising public awareness, training and facilitating
improved disaster information flows. DDM works under MODMR and overviews andcoordinates all activities related to disaster management from the national level down to thegrass-roots level. DDM is committed to enhancing regular dialogues and fostering cooperation in practical disaster preparedness matters ‘before, during and after’ a disasterbetween all levels of government, donors, non-government organisations, community
groups and others. DDM’s main strength is the mandate and authority for dissemination ofearly warning of different disasters. DDM has a total of 48 technical professionals stationed
at their head office in Dhaka. It has a vast network under its authority through a standingorder.
Currently, DDM is working on cyclone and flood information warning dissemination, but it
has plans to extend its dissemination activities to other disasters. A process ofhazard mapping is also under consideration. A website (http://www.ddm.gov.bd) iscurrently available with only static historic information, but it could be made dynamic for
updating with early warnings like the FFWC website.

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ADRC Visiting Researcher Programme, FY2020, Country Report: Bangladesh

3.5.2 Cyclone Preparedness Program (CPP)
After the severe cyclone in 1970, by the request of the United Nations,Cyclone Preparedness
Programme (CPP) was established in 1972 with the help of the then legue of Red Cross.
After One Year the league of Red Cross decided to withdraw the program from the fieldwith effects from 1st July 1973. Considering the importance of the programme, for theinterest of the coastal belt people, government came forward and took the responsibility ofthe programme by deciding to continue the programme with effect from July, 1973. It has
been working in the field of disaster management in Bangladesh especially in early warning
system, search and rescue, evacuation, sheltering, First aid, relief distribution andrehabilitation activities It has Obtained a great name and fame all over the world for its wellmanaged and motivated disaster management activities with a dedicated humanitarian spirit.
Bangladesh has already proved its skillness and effectiveness to disaster response especiallyin case of Cyclonic disaster which has been appreciated by many others countries in theworld.. Now CPP is considered as a model programme in the disaster management field in
the world. In policy concern, CPP is run by a Policy Committee headed by Honorable
Minister, Ministry of Disaster Management & Relief(MoDMR) and in administrative
concern, it is operated by an Implementation Board headed by the Secretary,Minister ofDisaster Management and Relief (MoDMR.)

The CPP has 103 officers /staffs and 55,515 Volunteers among which 18,505 Female
volunteers. 3,701 unit, 355 union , 41 upazila of 13 coastal districts are the command area of
CPP (CPP, 2021).

3.5.3. Space Research and Remote Sensing Organization (SPARRSO)SPARRSO acts as the centre of excellence and national focal point for the peacefulapplications of space science, remote sensing and geographic information system (GIS) in
Bangladesh. SPARRSO also advises the government in all matters relating to spacetechnology applications and policies. SPARRSO maintains close collaboration with national,
regional and international organizations, institutions and agencies and disseminates
research results, satellite data and information to the relevant public, autonomous andprivate agencies for their development and policy-making activities. SPARRSO’s mandate
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ADRC Visiting Researcher Programme, FY2020, Country Report: Bangladesh

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.

3.5.4.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
andsatellite

stations,

agro-meteorologicalobservation

stations,

geomagnetic

andseismological observation stations and meteorological telecommunication system. BMD
contributes to flood forecasting and warnings by preparing short/medium and long term
weather forecasts,3-hourly

surfacecharts,6and12-hourly

upper

air

charts,heavyrainfall warnings, and special weather bulletins with storm surge information.
BMD is the only government authorized organization mandated to issue all sorts ofweatherforecast

andrecord 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 fordisseminating flood forecasts at national level.

3.6. Other Institutions for Disaster Management
3.6.1. Center for Environmental and Geographic Information Services (CEGIS)CEGIS is a Public Trust organization under the Ministry of Water Resources and functions
under a Board of Trustees chaired by the Secretary of the Ministry of Water Resources onbehalf of the government. CEGIS works in the fields of initial environment
examination, environmental impact assessment, disaster management modelling, natural
resource and risk

management,

GIS/RS

mapping,46

andsurvey.

CEGIS

servesADRC Visiting Researcher Programme, FY2020, Country Report: Bangladesh

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

processofdevelopment/acquiring technology for a regional basin flood forecast modeling for use in
Bangladesh. Also, CEGIS has started to acquire knowledge on urban and flash 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 for vulnerable communities.
CEGIS has developed a methodology for predicting the morphology process and bankerosion 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.

3.6.2 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.

3.6.3 Institute of Water Modelling (IWM)
IWM is an institute of learning and research in the fields of water modelling, computational
hydraulics and allied sciences established as a Public Trust under the ministry of
Water Resources. IWM activities in flood forecasting and warning include the collection ofreal time hydrometric data for running flood forecasting and inundation models;annually

updating andvalidatingtheforecastingmodels;providingtechnical

backstopping and training to FFWC; assisting FFWC to expand into new areas;developing dynamic flood inundation models (MIKE FLOOD) and issuing medium (1047

ADRC Visiting Researcher Programme, FY2020, Country Report: Bangladeshdays) flood predictions based on climate forecasts produced by the CFAB project.

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ADRC Visiting Researcher Programme, FY2020, Country Report: Bangladesh

3.7.Priorities for Sendai Framework Implementation

Achieving the SFDRR outcome, goals and targets are upcoming challenges for Bangladesh to
face in coming 2016-2030 period along with sustainable development goal. The necessity toestablish priorities for action in local and national level for monitoring and reporting on
Sendai Framework progress will ensure to the achievement of global targets and outcome.
Priority

Strategic
Goal

Key Target

Expected
OutcomeUnderstandi
ng Disaster
Risk

Enhanceunderstandingof disaster risk
management,
knowledge andcapacitybuilding

Developandestablish
standard
assessment proceduretoidentify
community
andhousehold level risks

Communities havegreaterunderstanding
of
their
risks
and
vulnerabilities
tohazardandanticipate disasterrisks and strategies
for reducing or
managing all risks.

Enhancemanagement
skillsCreate a national
training capacity tosustainandprogressively expand
the training efforts

Training institute isestablishedandwell-functioning

Action Agenda- Identify

anddocument
community and household
level risks with special
emphasis
on
risks
of
diversified group that include
women, children, PWDs, theelderly, minorities, following
standard procedure.
- Revise curricula at different
levels of education so that the
future citizens are better
prepared to serve, having
proper knowledge base.
- Invest in leadership andmanagement
capacity
development of civil servantsand other stakeholders at alllevel- Strengthen institutional capacity
within planning cells/units,finance/budget
cell,
and
monitoring cell/unit of eachministry and department sothat climate change may be
integratedinplanning,
financing and implementation
monitoring process of all
sectoral development projects
and initiatives.

-

DisasterManagementistaught in all training
courses of publictraining institutes.

Alltraining
institutes use theupdated module fordisastermanagement

49

Revise all design criteria andmanagement manuals in a bid
toincorporate
DRR,
irrespective of sectors
Incorporate DRR module andadminister
DRR
relatedcoursesinFoundation
Training for civil servants (tobe conducted by Public andPrivateSectorTraining
Academies)
Incorporate DRR module andadminister DRR courses forthe training of office bearersof LGIs (to be conductedprimarily by National Institutefor Local Government and if
needed by other private andADRC Visiting Researcher Programme, FY2020, Country Report: Bangladesh

publicsectorinstitutions)

StrengtheningDisaster
Risk
Governanceto manage
Disaster
Risk

Coordination
across sectors
andactorsworkingon
DRR

Strengthenandintegration of DRR
withdevelopment
efforts

Prioritizationofdevelopment
projects which have
proven adaptation
co-benefit potential-

Improved
Implementation, MonitoringandSharedLearning

Enhancenational
monitoring
andevaluation system toenable effectivenessof strategies

A common pre-and
post-assessment
tool is in place tomonitor the DM-

Decentralizatio
n and local
level
mainstreamingof DRR

Investing in
Disaster
Risk
Reductionfor
Resilience

Prioritization
and budgetingofPrograms
and Projects

Promote RRAP (Risk
Reduction
ActionPlan)andcontingency planning
across agencies andforallunions/cities/wards
andmonitorits
implementation andpractice

Contingency
planning
acrossagencies are wellfunctioning
andproperly monitored
and reported

Robustfinancingpoliciesandmechanisms
fordisaster recovery andreconstruction should
be developed.

Elaboration of theroleofprivatefinancethrough
capitalmarkets,
insurance industry
and how the GOB
may contribute to
the development ofeffective
marketmechanisms
tosupport risk hedging

-

-

50

-

-

training

Invest in up-gradation ofcurrent institutional set up toutilize whole of government
approach to combat disaster.
A consultative process based
national consensus will beforged under the NAP
formulation
processtodevelop a comprehensive
coordination
andimplementation mechanism
across sectors and actors on
DRR
Strengthen
institutional
capacity for greater andeffective coordination
Build institutional capacity tointegrate
DRR
in
Development programming
Initiate greater investment in
the environmental and natural
resource management
Develop mechanisms andmodalities
towards
performing
participatory
reality checks at project
locations regarding projectadequacy during early design
phase
Develop joint monitoring
protocols and ensure sharedlearning with stakeholders.
Require local authorities toincorporate DRR into districtlevel development plans
Create incentives for design,
implementation
andmaintenanceof
DRR
investments at local level
Encourage the mobilization of
informed communities andimplement
processesfordownward accountability toensure demand for DRR and
CCA is met by local
authorities
Costing of all disaster riskplanning by relevant sectors
Conduct Full scale economic
analysis of DRR projects andinitiatives, organize national
dialogues
towards
prioritization and participatory
decisionmakingbeforenational budget session in theparliament
Projecting the prioritized andcosted actions in annual, three
years, five year and long term

ADRC Visiting Researcher Programme, FY2020, Country Report: Bangladesh

budgetframework
demonstrate
demands
disaster risk budget
Enhance DRR
financing

Enhancing
DisasterPreparednessforeffective
response andto‘Buildback better’in recovery,
rehabilitationandreconstructi
on

Coordinationand planningshouldbeenhancedincommunity andlocal level

Government
and
donor
fundingtargeting strategies
identified within the
local
level
risk
reduction plans

Preparerisk
reduction and climatechangeadaptation
action plans for all
high risk Unions,
UpazillasandDistricts
andendorsed by therespective DMC

Identificationofadequate
national
resources to financerisk reduction andenable appropriate
allocationofresourcestovulnerability
reduction through
local
level
mechanisms.

Disasterrisk
reductionandclimatechangeadaptation
actionplans for all risks
and all sectors areproducedandendorsed by therelevant DMCs at
all levels.

-

-

DDM
leadershiponhumanitarian
coordination
should be enhanced and a
resilience
perspective
integrated-

Resilient recovery will be
pursued as a means tosustainable development
PromoteRRAP(Risk
Reduction Action Plan) andcontingency planning acrossagencies
and
for
all
unions/cities/wards
andmonitor its implementationand practiceEncourage different hazard
based contingency planninglikechemicalandtechnological hazards, roadand water safety, nuclear andradiological risk, biologicalhazards, landslide etc
Encourage
earthquake
vulnerable
building
retrofitting for major cities
especially public buildings--

Developdedicatedcapacity
withinMoDMR and DDM
to
lead
and
coordinate
post
disaster recovery andreconstruction

Developand
implementastrategy for therecoveryofvulnerable groups
Develop guidelines
on multi sectoral coordination for postdisasterrecoveryanddevelopment
activities
Protect & support
the most vulnerable
groupsduringdisaster & post
recoverystage

51

Increase financial allocations
to implement DRR elements
inadditiontousualdevelopment
Consider greater efforts toseek international financial
supportPromote structural and nonstructural investment likedisaster and climate resilient
housing, roads, embankments,
flood and cyclone shelters andotherinfrastructure
construction
andrisk
reduction
programs
atcommunity level--

Gender,vulnerability
and inclusivity
issues should
be considered
across all thesectorsandministries in all
the phases ofdisasters

to
of

-

Gender issues are integrated
into
all
disasterriskmanagement policies, plansanddecision-making
processes, including risk
assessment, early warning,
information management andeducation and training

ADRC Visiting Researcher Programme, FY2020, Country Report: Bangladesh

especially women,children & disablegroups and older
people.

Mainstreaming
DRR

InstitutionalizetheDM Act of 2012
through rules that
achieveadequate
decentralization andaccountability whileconsideringthewhole DM cycle ofrisk
reduction,
preparedness,
response,
recoveryand reconstruction

DM Act is wellfunctioning due todecentralization andaccountability

-

-

-

Developnational
emergency
response
coordination
mechanism
framework &guidelines

Strengthencommunity
andhouseholdlevel
capacity to withstandthe
disastrous
situations

Community
andhouseholds
arebetter prepared tocope with disastereventsLocal and national
development plans
are developed on
the basis of the
updatedhazardmaps
andanticipated climatechangeinducedhazards

52

-

-

-

Reform the SOD and DM Act
and its rules, if needed in linewith post MDG and Sendai
Framework for DRR
Publish the National Plan for
Disaster Management 20162020 in line with post MDG
and Sendai Framework for
DRR
Approve and implement the
National
DisasterManagement Policy
Integrate DM in district
development
plans
and
provide capacity developmenttraining including UDMCs.
Establishthe
National
Emergency Operations Centre
(EOC)
and
fully
operationalize it
Finalize, approve, disseminate
and create capacity for
implementation of criticalguidelines and plans on debris
management,
dead
body
management etc
Finalize, approve, disseminate
and create capacity for
implementation of an IncidentManagement System

ADRC Visiting Researcher Programme, FY2020, Country Report: Bangladesh

3.8.ADRC Counterpart
The Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief
Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh
Phone: +880-2-9540877
Fax: +880-2-9545405
E-mail: info@modmr.gov.bd
Website: www.modmr.gov.bd

4. References
Agrawala, S. O. (2003). Development and Climate Change in Bangladesh: Focus on Coastal Flooding
and the Sundarbans. Paris: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
Asadullah, N., Mahmud, W., & Savoia, A. (2012, 01 22). https://www.theigc.org/project/growthgovernance-and-economic-development-in-bangladesh/. Retrieved from https://www.theigc.org:
https://www.theigc.org
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