Damage caused by natural disasters has sharply been reduced since April 29, 1991 when a cyclonic storm ripped through the coastal region, killing nearly 138,882 people and 1,061,029 livestock.
The ability to tackle disasters like cyclone, tsunami, earthquake and fire in Bangladesh has improved gradually due to precautionary measures taken by the government and its preparedness for dealing with disasters.
As a result, damage caused to lives, livestock and infrastructures by such disasters has also been reduced amazingly, data shows.
According to data of the Disaster Management Ministry, around 138,882 people and 1,061,029 livestock died and 13,798,275 other people rendered homeless in the cyclone that hit the coastal districts on April 29, 1991 with a wind speed of nearly 225km per hour and 15-20 feet high tidal surge.
But the death toll from November 15, 2007 cyclone Sidr was reduced sharply as the government had taken precautionary measures. Around 3,406 people and 1,873,694 livestock died and 8,923,259 people became homeless in the Sidr.
Besides, only 190 people and 150,131 livestock died while 3,928,259 people became homeless when the cyclone Aila lashed parts of the country.
According to the database of the government and different non-governmental organisations working with disaster management, the loss of lives and properties was reduced gradually.
Gautam Kumar Bhattacharya, joint secretary of the Disaster Management Ministry, told the Dhaka Tribune that though the government had taken several initiatives to tackle disasters, it was not fully satisfied with the measures and achievements.
“We are taking more preparations to save all and infrastructures from disasters.
“The Disaster Management Ministry has already prepared disaster preparedness guideline and policies. A law has also been enacted mentioning the responsibilities of stakeholders and punishment for ignoring those,” he added.
He also said the government had already procured several rescue equipment, vessels, mobile water treatment machines and introduced rainwater harvesting system in coastal areas. “Procurement of some equipment is under process.”
Around 4,600 houses for individual families were constructed along with a good number of cyclone shelters and cyclone resistance schools which could also be used as cyclone shelters.
The government gave them adequate money to build houses also. The dams in coastal areas are being repaired and reconstructed to save the people from tidal surge, Bhattacharya said.
Some 63,000 volunteers are being imparted training to operate the rescue operation during any sort of disasters. Most of them were chosen from the coastal belt while a good number of volunteers were selected from the city areas as they can carry out rescue drive immediately after disasters, he added.
At the same time, the government had taken up some programmes to rehabilitate the cyclone victims by building cyclone resistance houses, alternative employment, providing food and financial assistance by social safety net programmes, he said.
Mohammad Yusuf, a disaster management expert working with Comprehensive Disaster Management Programme, said: “Though the government has achieved some success in tackling disasters, it needs long way to go.
“Some necessary equipment must be procured in the next phase to operate the rescue operation smoothly. The fire service and civil defence authorities must be more well-equipped and well-trained. The volunteers must respond promptly during the disasters to reduce the loss of lives.”
Despite several initiatives taken by the government to rehabilitate the cyclone victims, a good number of Aila victims are still under the open sky.
