Vulnerabilities to Cyclonic Disasters in Bangladesh

This paper aims at exploring the vulnerability factors affecting cyclone impacts in the southern coastal regions of Bangladesh based on empirical investigations. The primary data for the present analysis has been collected from over hundred respondents, who sustained repeated cyclonic disasters, based on semi-structured interviews conducted during last several years in the study areas. The findings suggest that the prevailing socio-cultural conditions significantly underpin the local peoples’ evacuation behavior and rapid response during crises and emergencies. Moreover, a comparative analysis of 1991, 2007 and 2009 cyclones, marked as the most severe in recent history, reveals a significant decline in life casualties of 0.5 million, 0.14 million and 4 thousand respectively. The paper identifies three major reasons behind this damage reduction. First, disaster preparedness measures have gradually become effective and the information dissemination technology and early warning systems got improved over the years. The widespread of cell phone technologies in rural areas of Bangladesh played key role in effective early warning dissemination and reducing life casualties between 1991 and 2007 cyclones. The second reason is the unequal population density of the landfall areas of these three cyclones. The 1991 cyclone made landfall near Chittagong city, the second largest city in Bangladesh, causing maximum damage to lives and livelihoods. The third reason suggests that the 1991 cyclone had attacked during high tide, causing high storm surge accompanied with severe inundation, resulting enormous destructions. The paper, however, makes substantial analysis for informed decision-making and policy considerations for cyclonic disaster reduction in southern Bangladesh.