Bangladesh Disaster Report 2013

Disaster Report 2013
Department of Disaster Management

Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief
Government of the Peoples Republic of Bangladesh
All rights reserved by the Department of Disaster Management, Ministry of Disaster Management and
Relief, Government of the Peoples Republic of Bangladesh
First Published: October, 2014
Chief Advisor
Mohammad Abdul Wazed, Director General, Department of Disaster Management
Technical Committee
Ataur Rahman, Deputy Director (Training), Department of Disaster Management
Khemraj Upadhyaya, Consortium Manager, National Alliance for Risk Reduction and Response Initiative
Naser Shawkat Haider, Programme Manager - DIPECHO VII, ActionAid Bangladesh
Abdul Jalil Lone, Project Manager DIPECHO VII, Concern Worldwide
Shah Muntamin Mujtaba, Program Manager, Islamic Relief Bangladesh
MD. Rezaul Karim, Consultant-DRR-CCAA
Data Compilation, Drafting and Editing
Professsor Dr. Shahidul Islam
Nushrlamat Rahman, Program Officer, Islamic Releif Bangladesh
Farzana Haque, Designer
Published by
Department of Disaster Management, Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, Government of the
Peoples Republic of Bangladesh
Disaster Management Bhaban, 92-93 Mohakhali C/A, Dhaka-1212, Bangladesh

Tel: (+88-02) 9841581, Fax (+88-02) 9860130, Website: www.ddm.gov.bd
PREFACE
The Department of Disaster Management (DDM) under the Ministry of Disaster Management
and Relief (MoDMR) is very pleased to publish the Annual Report 2013 on Disaster Response.
The report is a reflection of the accumulated report of loss and damages caused by the disasters
occurred in Bangladesh in 2013.Bangladesh has proved its capacity to manage disasters through
effective response mechanism; especially in Cyclone Mahasen, Tornado of Brahmanbaria and
Rana Plaza tragedy.
During the period of Cyclone Mahasen in the southern coastal area of Bangladesh, government,
non-government organization/agency, civil society and community collaborated and organized
preparedness activities that saved thousands of lives and assets in Borguna district. The
emergency response mechanisms adopted by these institutions were demonstration of strength
of Bangladesh to reduce the disaster risk.
The Rana Plaza tragedy that occurred on April 24, 2013 caused death of 1,135 people. However,
the 2,500 injured people rescued alive from the building goes to show what is the countrys
capacity in disaster management.
In preparing this report, DDM acknowledges the contribution and cooperation of the NARRI
consortium for providing technical support that was existed throughout the entire development
process of the annual report on Disaster 2013.
We, on behalf of DDM, would like to extend our thanks to the Minister, Ministry of Disaster
Management and Relief, as well as different other Ministries, Directorates, Departments,
Institutes and Bureaus of the Government for their unconditional supports and encouragement
in developing this report. The Department would also like to take this opportunity to express
deep appreciation to European Commission Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection (ECHO) for
financing the production of the report through NARRI consortium.
Mohammed Abdul Wazed

Director General (Additional Secretary)
Department of Disaster Management (DDM)
Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief
Government of the Peoples Republic of Bangladesh
ABBREVIATION
BDRCS
: Bangladesh Red Crescent Society
BDT
: Bangladesh Taka
BGB
: Border Guard Bangladesh
BMD
: Bangladesh Meteorology Department
BWDB
: Bangladesh Water Development Board
CDMP
: Comprehensive Disaster Management Program
CPP
: Cyclone Preparedness Program
DDM
: Department of Disaster Management
DL
: Danger Level
DMIC
: Disaster Management Information Center
FFWC
: Flood Forecasting and Warning Center
GOC
: General Officer Commanding
IFRC
: International Federation of Red Crescent and Red Cross
MoDMR
: Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief
MT
: Metric Tons
NDRT
: National Disaster Responding Team
PWD
: Public Works Department
RAB
: Rapid Action Battalion
RHD
: Roads and Highways Department
SOD
: Standing Orders on Disaster
SPARRSO
: Space Research and Remote Sensing Organization
UDMC
: Union Disaster Management Committee
UP
: Union Parisad
UzDMC
: Upazila Disaster Management Committee
WFP
: World Food Program
WL
: Water Level
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Chapter 1: Introduction
Bangladesh, one of the most vulnerable countries of the world in terms of natural and anthropogenic
hazards, is a low-lying deltaic country covering an area of 147,470 sq. km and supporting about
150 million people with a population density of 1033 per km2. The geographical setting and
meteorological characteristics has made the country vulnerable to different geo-hazardsand
hydro-metrological hazards. The major disasters concerned in the country are floods, cyclones,
droughts, tidal surges, tornadoes, earthquakes, river erosion, fire, infrastructure collapse, high
arsenic contents of ground water, water logging, water and soil salinity, epidemic, and various
forms of pollution etc. These events are termed as disasters when they adversely affect the
entire environment, including human beings, shelters and the resources essential for livelihoods.
This report is an overview of the disasters, both natural and human induced, which affected
Bangladesh in 2013. The report has been prepared based on data available with BMD, BWDB,
DMIC, and concerned NGOs. Various daily newspapers were also reviewed to gather relevant
information. Case studies on Cyclone Mahasen, Tornado of Brahmanbaria and building collapse
of Rana Plaza were also developed to complement the report.
Chapter 2: Flood
Floods are normal phenomenon in Bangladesh. It usually occurs during the monsoon season.
In 2013, the country experienced normal flooding incidents in July and September. On the
onset of monsoon in July, a wider part of north Bengal and part of central region along the river
Brahmaputra were affected. Furthermore, the north-western part of the country was flooded;
although the area affected by flood was high, the duration was relatively low. In the northeastern
part, on the contrary, flood intensity was short to moderate while moderate flooding occurred
for short duration in the central region. In the southwestern part of the country, particularly in
Satkhira and Khulna districts, floods were prolonged due to poor drainage conditions, especially
in Kobodak Haribhanga and Shibsa river catchment areas. At Jhikorgacha of the Kobodak River,
the water flow was above the danger level for consecutive 120 days (Annual Flood Report 2013,
FFWC, Page VI) ; 9 people were killed and about 28,000 families were affected.
Chapter 3: Cyclone and Storm Surge

Cyclone and storm-surges are common annual events during the pre-monsoon and retreating
monsoon periods along the coastal belt of Bangladesh. In 2013, the number of such coastal
cyclonic events were quite few compared to previous years. The cyclone MAHASEN made
landfall on 16th May as a pre-monsoon type cyclonic event. The cyclone affected 8 coastal
districts that including Chittagong, Bhola, Barguna, Pirojpur, Noakhali, Patuakhali, Satkhira and
Laxmipur; 386, 221 people 251 unions of 42 upazilas of these 8 districts were affected by the
cyclone. The devastating consequences of the cyclone included death of 17 people and 102
injuries; also,14,828 houses were fully and 44,182 were partly damaged.
Foot note required
Chapter 4: Tornados and Nor-Wester

A total number of 5 Tornado incidents were reported in the year 2013. These were Brahmanbaria
Tornado on 22nd March, Natore and Noagoan Tornadoes on 1st April, Jessore Tornado on 25th May
and Gopalganj Tornado on10th June. Among these, the Brahmanbaria Tornado was particularly
catastrophic in nature; it passed through 6 unions of 2 upazilas of Brahmanbaria District. More
than 15 villages were affected by the super Tornado, and a total of 34 people were killed and 388
were injured. Although the Natore Tornado had no death toll, 479 households were heavily and
809 households were partially affected. At Noagoan, 2 people died and 26 were injured. A total
of 340 households were heavily and 3830 households were partially affected.
Chapter 5: Building Collapse

In recent years, incidents of building collapse have increased significantly throughout the country.
A total of 7 buildings collapsed during 2013 killing 1135 people4 . However, the collapse of Raza
Plaza on April 24, 2013 was the most tragic industrial accident in the history of Bangladesh; it killed
1135 people, leaving 2,500 people injured. Immediately after the incident, a rescue operation
was initiated under the guidance of Bangladesh Army in association with Bangladesh Navy, Fire
Service, BGB and Police. In addition, many volunteers took part in the rescue activities. One of
the important aspects of the rescue operation was the stimulus participation of volunteers of
different age and groups. Around 1,000 volunteer from Dhaka, Keraniganj and Narayanganj took
part in the rescue operation.
Chapter 6: Cold Wave

Cold wave coupled the country during the first week of January, affecting more than 20 districts
including Panchagarh, Thakurgaon, Dinajpur, Nilphamary, Lalmonirhat, Rangpur, Kurigram,
Gaibandha, Bogra, Joypurhat, Naogaon, Nawabganj, Rajshahi, Natore, Sirajganj, Pabna and
Mymensing in the north, Moulvibazar in the east and few districts in the south namely Kushtia,
Jessore, Faridpur and Madaripur. More than 50% of populations living in those districts were
affected and 80 people were killed, many of them were children. During the cold wave of 2013,the
temperature of Saidpur dropped down to 3 degrees Celsius, the lowest records in Bangladesh
since 1968.
Chapter 7: River Bank Erosion

Out of 489 upazilas of Bangladesh, 94 upazilas were affected by river erosion in 2013, of which
35 were severe in nature. Some important erosion affected areas includes Sirajgong, Aricha,
Mawa, Chandpur and Rangpur, Dhanut upazila of Bogradistrict; also, 13 unions of river side
upazilas in Kurigram district, Chilmariupazila, Bhuapur of Tangail district, Mirzapur upazila,
Chauholi upazila, Sirajgong hard point, Daulatpur upazila of Manikgang, Biyani Bazar, Chadpur,
Sonargoan upazila, Madanipur upazila, Goalando upazila, Pangsha upazila , Daulatpur upazila
of Kushtia, Dumuria and Koira upazila of Khulna were affected.
Chapter 8: Fire
Fire is one of the notable human induced disasters in Bangladesh. Every year, hundreds of people
die and many are injured due to fire accidents. In 2013, a total number of 8868 fire incidents
took place throughout the country and most of the them occurred in Dhaka and Chittagong.
Secondary data from newspapers shows that in 2013 the number of death occurred due to fire
hazard were 65 and 191 people were injured.
Chapter 9: Earthquake and Tsunami

Due to its close proximity to tectonically active plate boundaries, Bangladesh is prone to
earthquake. The country has experienced numerous large earthquakes in the past 200 years. In
2013, BMD has recorded 16 earthquake tremors with a magnitude ranging from 3.3 to 5.9 RS
in and around Bangladesh border areas. The earthquake of January 9, 2013 had a magnitude
of 5.9.RS and was felt throughout the country. The epicenter was 495km from Dhaka city and
was located near Bangladesh-Myanmar border area. There was no report of any casualties
or damages. However, there was tsunami warning or tsunami effects along the coastal belt of
Bangladesh in 2013.
Chapter 10: Other Disaster

Besides the above-mentioned hazards, other significant disasters in Bangladesh are arsenic
contamination, salinity intrusion, drought, water logging and landslides. The southwestern
coastal belt of Bangladesh is suffering from salinity intrusion and water logging for ages. There
is also the case of drought in northwestern part. Arsenic contamination of ground water is also a
cause of prolonged suffering for most part of the country. However, there was only one incident
of land slide in 2013 at Lalkhan Bazar, Chittagong Cityon 28th July. In total 2 women were killed
in the incident.
Chapter 11: Conclusion

Bangladesh faced a number of disasters in 2013, among which 3 events were catastrophic in
nature. The Cyclone Mahasen hit 8 coastal districts; however prompt effective and collaborative
initiatives by government and other concern organizations and stakeholders restricted the
loss and damage to a minimum level. The Tornado of Brahmanbaria was also addressed by
the Government utmost effort . The incident of Rana Plaza was a challenge as such scale of
building collapse was new to the country. Nevertheless the voluntarism to rescue the victims
gave Bangladesh another legendary success of coping and fighting with disasters.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Preface
03
Abbreviation 04
Executive Summary 05
Chapter-1
Introduction 11
1.1. Background 11
1.2. Scope of the Report 12
1.3. Methodology 12
1.4. Structure of the Report 12
Chapter-2
Flood 13
2.1. Introduction 13
2.2. Flood in Bangladesh: Historical Perspectives
13
2.3. Flood in 2013 14
2.4: Loss and Damage 18
2.5: Response 20
Chapter-3
Cyclone and Storm Surges 22
3.1: Introduction 22
3.2: Cyclone and Storm Surges in Bangladesh: Historical Perspectives
22
3.3. Cyclone and Storm Surges in 2013
23
3.4. Super cyclone Mahasen: Formation and Landfall
23
3.5. Affected Areas 24
3.6. Loss and damages 26
3.7. Response 29
3.8. Case Study 30
Chapter-4
Tornadoes and Nor-Wester 32
4.2. Tornado in Bangladesh: Historical Perspectives
32
4.3. Tornado in 2013 35
4.4. Catastrophic Tornado at Brahmanbaria 35
4.5. Formation and Landfall of Brahmanbaria Tornado
36
4.6. Affected Areas 36
4.7. Loss and Damages 38
4.8. Responses 40
Chapter-5
Building Collapse 43
5.2. Building Collapse in 2013 43
5.3. Collapse of Rana Plaza: The Tragedy of Garments Workers

43
5.4. Rescue Operation 45
5.5. Relief Activities 48
5.6. Case Study 48

Chapter-6
Cold Waves 51
6.2. Cold wave in 2013 51
6.3. Response 53
Chapter-7
River Bank Erosion 54
7.2. River Bank Erosion in Bangladesh: Historical Perspectives
54
7.3. River bank Erosion in 2013 56
7.4. Loss and Damage 58
Chapter-8
Fire 59
8.2: Fire in 2013 59
8.3: Fire in Garment Industries 61
Chapter-9
Earthquake and Tsunami 64
9.2. Earthquakes in Bangladesh: Historical Context
64
9.3. Earthquake in 2013 66
9.4. Tsunami in 2013 67
Chapter-10
Conclusion 68
Chapter- 11
References 69
TABLES

Table 2.1: Year-wise Flood Affected Area in Bangladesh
13
Table 2.2: Rainfall in 2013 (+/-) compared to Normal during the Monsoon Season
14
Table 2.3: Basin Wise Monthly List of Station Crossing DL in 2013
17
Table 2.4: Loss and Damages Due to Flood of 2013
19
21
Table 3.1: Severe Cyclones Affecting Bangladesh since 1960
22
Table 3.2: Mahasen Affected Districts
24
Table 3.3: Total Loss and Damages in the Affected Coastal Districts by Mahasen
26
Table 3.4: Location of Cyclone Centers along the Coastal belt of Bangladesh
29
Table 2.5: Response Initiatives from Agencies
Table 3.5: Emergency Supports to Mahasen Affected People in the Coastal Area
29
Table 4.1: List of Catastrophic Tornadoes in Bangladesh Killing more than 50 People
34
Table 4.2: List of Tornadoes in 2013 and Damages
35
Table 4.3: Affected Areas by Brahmanbaria Tornado in 2013
36
Table 4.4: Damage Caused by Tornado of 22 March, 2013 at Brahmanbaria
39
Table 4.5: Upazila wise Crop Damage Caused by Tornado of 22 March, 2013
39
Table 4.6: Necessary Supports and Allocation to the Tornado Victim families
40
Table 4.7: Shows the Supports Provided by BDRCS and IFRC
42
Table 5.1: Losses due to Collapse of Rana Plaza
45
Table 5.2: Responsibilities of the Volunteers
46
Table 5.3: Treatment Information of Injured People (Source: Health Dept.)
47
Table 6.1: Division Wise Blanket Distribution
53
Table 6.2: GoB Money Allocation to City Corporations for Blanket
53
Table 7.1: Loss and Damages-2013
57
Table 7.2: Loss and Damages - 2013
58
Table 8.1: Fire Incident in 2013
59
Table 8.2: Fire in Garments Industries-2013
63
Table 9.1: Major Earthquakes in Bangladesh
65
67
Table 9.2: Locations of Earthquake-2013
10
CHAPTER 1 : INTRODUCTION
1.1: Background
Bangladesh occupies the greater parts of the Bengal Basin, which is one of the largest
geosynclinals of the world. The Himalayas in the north, Shillong Plateau in the northeast and
Choto-Nagpur plateau in the west are the bounding controls of the Basin, which has led to develop
a unique environment of sediment accumulation from all three sides. Due to sediments influxes
over thousands of years into the Basin, it gave birth to the fertile low-lying country, Bangladesh.
except few hills and tree Pleistocene terraces, is a plain land with very gentle slope towards
the south. Location of the Bay of Bengal in the south is another controlling factor for physical,
social and cultural setting of the country. Bangladesh has truly been emerged from the sea and
hundreds of rivers have given the shape of its landscapes as one of the fertile landmasses of the
earth. The geographical setting of Bangladesh has made the country vulnerable to a series of
geo and or hydro-metrological hazards.
The major hazards concerned here are the occurrences of floods, cyclones, droughts, tidal
surges, tornadoes, earthquakes, river erosion, fire, infrastructure collapse, high arsenic contents
of ground water, water logging, water and soil salinity, epidemic and various forms of pollution
etc. These are termed as disasters when they adversely affect the whole environment, including
human beings, their shelters, or the resources essential for their livelihoods.
The mountains and hills bordering almost three-fourths of the country, along with the funnel
shaped Bay of Bengal in the south, made the country a meeting place of life-giving monsoon
rains and made it subjected to catastrophic ravages of natural disasters. The Bay of Bengal
is widely known as the breeding place of catastrophic cyclones due to the presence of InterTropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ).These cyclones turn into disaster, and finally find their way
towards the coastal belt of Bangladesh and are subject to colossal damages to life and property
almost every year.
Flood is a recurring phenomenon in the country. Floodplains of the Brahmaputra-Jamuna, the
Ganges-Padmaand the Meghna river systems are regularly flooded during the monsoon of each
year.
Although this country with monsoon climate has enough rain, droughts frequently take place
especially in the northwest region of the country with a significant impact on agricultural.
Tropical cyclones from the Bay of Bengal accompanied by storm surges are one of the major
disasters in Bangladesh. The country is one of the worst sufferers of all cyclonic casualties in the
world. The high number of casualties occur due to the fact that cyclones are always associated
with storm surges.
Disastrous erosions are mainly associated with the major river systems of the country and seen
along the banks of the Brahmaputra-Jamuna, Ganges-Padmaband Meghna River system. Due
to riverbank erosion, lands are lost and people are displaced to new places, mostly in urban or
peri-urban areas.
11
1.2. Scope of the Report

Natural disasters cannot be prevented, but the damage can be minimized with adequate
preparedness and risk reduction measures. The impacts of these disasters differ by type
and magnitude. They also critically depend on institutional strength and response capacity of
different agencies that usually take measures to manage disasters such as the government
and civil service organizations. Bangladesh has given the highest priority to risk reduction
initiatives in disaster management efforts and mainstreaming it in all development initiatives of
the government. The SOD is a powerful device for quick response by the concerned government
organizations and stakeholders to initiate necessary efforts to combat the hazard and minimize
the extent of loss and damages. In 2012, the Government adopted the Disaster Management
Act-2012 and in accordance with the Act the Department of Disaster Management (DDM) had
been set-up in 2012 replacing the Disaster Management Bureau. DDM, since its formation has
been working to reduce the vulnerabilities due to different disasters by undertaking risk reduction
initiatives and coordinating disaster risk reduction (DRR) program with various government and
non-government organizations. With these endeavor, one of the important tasks is to publish
annual report of disaster at regular basis, aiming to document all disasters occurring and affecting
throughout the country.
1.3: Methodology
This report is prepared by rigorously reviewing all available information on disaster events of
2013. Information was collected from BMD on climatic events, such as cyclones and stormsurges, cold waves, and earthquake incidents. Fire and building collapse related data were
collected from FSCD. Flood related data were collected from BWDB and FFWC. Situation
reports are regularly published by DMIC on disasters were also analyzed. Large number of data
were collected from DDM, DMIC, NDRRC and CDMP. Nirapod, a national NGO also publishes
situation report on disaster occasionally and their relevant reportswere reviewed. Moreover,
newspapers have been consulted to collect disaster related news of 2013. Day-to-day news of
Prothom Alo, Jugantar, Kalerkontho, Ittefaqand Daily star were examined. Three case studies
have been developed covering three most significant disastrous events of 2013; Cyclone
Mahasen, Bramanbaria Tornado and Collapse of Rana Plaza at Savar. Data collected from all
relevant sources were used in GIS platform for analysis and presentation in maps of thematic in
natures. All the maps available in the reports are original and are prepared using GIS technology.
1.4: Structure of the Report

This report includes eleven chapters. Chapter 1 is an introduction to the disaster scenarios of
Bangladesh with a background. Schematic description of each disaster starts from chapeter
2 and it continues up to chapter 10. The description begins with Flood in chapter 2, followed
by Cyclones and Storm surges, Tornadoes and Nor-wester, Building collapse, Cold wave,
Riverbank Erosion, Fire, and Earthquake and Tsunami in chapter 3,4,5,6,7,8,and 9 respectively.
In chapter 10, all other remaining disasters have been discussed. Concluding remarks are given
in Chapter 11.
12
CHAPTER 2 : FLOOD
2.1: Introduction
Bangladesh is one of the biggest deltas of the world with an extensive network of more than 310
rivers. Monsoon rainfall in the upstream catchment of Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna system
and within the country is the major cause of flood in Bangladesh. Flood is a normal monsoon
phenomenon in this deltaic plains landmass. In the Brahmaputra basin, flood usually begins in
the late June, while in the Ganges basin it starts from the second half of July. Rivers in the North
and Southeastern Hill basins are characterized by flash flood. The coastal belt of Bangladesh
is inundated by regular tidal flood. The livelihood of the people in Bangladesh is well adapted to
normal monsoon flood. However, damages and human suffering to flood are common features
in many parts of the country. Flood often has disastrous consequences and is the cause of major
damage to infrastructure, great loss of property, crops, livestock, poultry etc. Each of the major
flood adversely affected food security and poverty situation of the country.
2.2: Flood in Bangladesh: Historical Perspectives

Bangladesh hasa sub-tropical monsoon climate, with an annual average rainfall of about 2,300
mm, ranging from 1,200 mm in the north-west to over 5,000 mm in the north-east. There are
310 rivers in Bangladesh, including 57 trans-boundary rivers and Ganges, Brahmaputra and
Meghna are the three major rivers. During the monsoon period, an inundation of about 20% to
25% area of the country is considered as normal flood, which is beneficial for crops, ecology and
environment. However, inundation of more than that, either vertically or horizontally is the cause
of loss and damage of lives and properties, and human sufferings in Bangladesh. The widely
known floods of 1954, 1955, 1974, 1987, 1988 1998, 2004 and 2007 caused heavy damage.
The catastrophic flood of 1987 inundated about 40% of the country. The flood of 1988 was also
catastrophic in nature, inundating about 60% of the country, and its return period was estimated
at 50-100 years. Similarly, in 1998 more than 70% of the country was inundated.
Table 2.1:Year-wise Flood Affected Area in Bangladesh
Year
Flood Affected area
Year
Flood Affected area
Sq-Km
Sq-Km
1954
36,800
25
1975
16,600
11
1955
50,500
34
1976
28,300
19
1956
35,400
24
1977
12,500
1960
28,400
19
1978
1961
28,800
20
1980
1962
37,200
25
1982
1963
43,100
29
1983
1964
31,000
21
1984
1965
28,400
19
1966
33,400
23
1967
25,700
17
Year
Flood Affected area

Sq-Km
1995
32,000
22
1996
35,800
24
1998
1,00,250
68
10,800
1999
32,000
22
33,000
22
2000
35,700
24
3,140
2001
4,000
2.8
11,100
7.5
2002
15,000
10
28,200
19
2003
21,500
14
1985
11,400
2004
55,000
38
1986
6,600
2005
17,850
12
1987
57,300
39
2006
16,175
11
13
Flood Affected area
Year
Sq-Km
1968
37,200
25
1969
41,400
28
1970
42,400
1971
1972
Year
Flood Affected area

Sq-Km
1988
89,970
61
1989
6,100
29
1990
3,500
36,300
25
1991
20,800
14
1992
1973
29,800
20
1974
52.600
36
Year
Flood Affected area

Sq-Km
2007
62,300
42
2008
33,655
23
2.4
2009
28,593
19
28,600
19
2010
26,530
18
2,000
1.4
2011
29,800
20
1993
28,742
20
2012
17,700
12
1994
419
0.2
2013
15,650
10.6
Source: BWDB, GoB
2.3. Flood in 2013

In 2013, the floods in Bangladesh were not severe in nature and in general term, this was
a normal flood year. However, north-western part of the country was flooded and the flood
coverage area was significantly wider in scale, although for a short duration. In the north-eastern
part, it was short to moderate while the central part experienced moderate duration flood. In
the south-western part of the country, as in part of Satkhira and Khulna districts, the flood was
prolong due to poor drainage conditions, especially in Kobodak, Haribhanga and Shibsa river
catchment areas. At Jhikorgacha of the Kobodak river, the water flow was above the danger
level for consecutive 120 days.
One of the major cause of flood in Bangladesh is the torrential rainfall. In 2013, Bangladesh
experienced 14.1% less rainfall than normal monsoon rainfall, with an acceptation in October
(Table -1.2) During October, all basins received more rainfall than the normal value, with the
highest of 155% more in Ganges basin area. During the month of May, the average monthly
rainfall was also 60-66% higher in the Ganges, Meghna and South East Hill basins, as due to
tropical Cyclone Mahasen that hit Bangladesh coast in 16 May 2013.
Table-2.2: Rainfall in 2013 (+/-) compared to Normal During the Monsoon Season
Month
Brahmaputra
basin
Ganges basin
Meghna basin
South East Hill

basin
May
-30.69%
66.35%
60.94%
66.07%
June
-34.8%
-20.9%
-34.02%
-25.45%
July
-37.6%
-11.6%
-22.8%
-34.2%
August
-17.4%
+14.56%
-12.5%
-17.0%
September
-57.3%
-4.7%
-32.9%
0.3%
October
11.62%
155%
21.21%
18.33%
BWDB Data 2013
During the monsoon period of 2013, the districts of Kurigram, Lalmonirhat, Gaibandha, Bogra,
Rangpur, Serajgonj, Tangail, Jamalpur, Narayangonj, Munshigonj, Madaripur, Sariatpur, Sylhet,
Sunamgonj, Netrokona, Sherpur, Moulvi Bazar, Brahmanbaria, Habigonj, Chittagong, Bandarban
and Coxs Bazar were flooded. Moreover, duration of flood was longer than the previous years
in few stations, especiallyin part of Khulna, Jessore and Satkhira districts.
14
Basin wise flood situation is unique in Bangladesh. In a normal flood year, not all basins are
flooded simultaneously. Usually flood season starts in Bangladesh with occurrence of flash flood
in the Meghna Basin, followed by Brahmaputra and Ganges Basin, respectively. In 2013, such
uniqueness of flood situation was noticed.
Map-2.1: Flood Affected Area in 2013
Brahmaputra
Basin :
In the Brahmaputra
Basin, 6 out of 23
Water Level (WL)
monitoring stations
crossed
their
respective danger
levels. During the
second week of July,
WL at Kurigram on
Dharlahas been over
the danger level for
3 days while it was
Dalia on Teesta for
7 days. However,
in mid-September,
Bahadurabad,
Serajgonj,
Aricha
and
Gaibandha
remained
above
danger level for
8, 3, 5 and 4 days
respectively.
As
a result, low-lying
areas of Kurigram,
Lalminiorhat,
Gaibandha, Bogra,
Rangpur,Serajgonj,
Tangail,
Jamalpur
and
Narayangonj
districts
remain
flooded for short
period.
Ganges Basin: In the Ganges Basin, 6 out of 22 WL monitoring stations exceeded their respective
danger level for short period of 1-2 days to 7-13 days. As result, during August and September,
the low lying areas of Chapai-Nawabgonj, Rajshahi, Kustia, Magura, Rajbari, Faridpur, Panchagr,
Thakurgain, Dinajpur, Manikgang, Munshigonj, Sariatpur and Noagaon districts were affected by
normal flooding for a short to medium periods. However, water level of Kobodak at Jhikorgacha
was above danger level for 120 days. Part of Satkhira, Jessore and Khulna districts were affected
by prolonged flooding during September - October.
15
Figure 2.1: Stations Water Level Crossing Danger Level

Water
LevelLevel
Recording
Stations
and Danger
Level Level
Cressing
Water
Recording
Stations
and Danger
Cressing
80 80
70 70
Number of station
Number of station
60 60
50 50
40 40
30 30
20 20
10 10
0
0
Brahmaputra
Brahmaputra
Ganges
Ganges
Meghna
Meghna
River Basin
River Basin
No of Rivers
No of Rivers
No of Stations
No of Stations
South-East
South-East
Region
Region
No of Staions Crossing Danger Level

No of Staions Crossing Danger Level
Figure 2.2.: No of Day WL above the DL

Water Level Stations and Number of Days above Danger Level
Water Level Stations and Number of Days above Danger Level
Days above Danger Level
140
140
120
120
100
100
80
80
60
60
40
40
20
20
0
0
16

25
Total
Station name
Station name
Affected Union Number
Total
Table 2.3: Basin Wise Monthly List of Station Crossing DL in 2013

Month
May
June
July
August
September
Rivers
Stations
Manu
Manu Raily Bridge and Moulovibazar
Khowai
Ballah and Habiganj
River Basins
Meghna Basin
Gumti
Comilla
Ichamati
Sakra
Ganges Basin
Jadukata
Lorergarh
Meghna Basin
South Eastern Hill Basin
Sangu
Banderban and Dohazari
Teesta
Dalia and Kaunia
Dharla
Kurigram
Jamunaswari
Badarganj
Karatoa
Panchagarh
Punarbhaba
Dinajpur
Tangon
Thakurgaon
Upper Atrai
Bhusirbandar
Jamuna
Naogaon
Atrai
Mohadebpur
Surma
Sunamganj
Muhuri
Parshuram
Halda
Narayanhat and Panchpukuria
Turag
Mirpur
Surma
Kanaighat and Sylhet
Dhalai
Kamalgonj
Kushiyara
Amalshid, Sheola and Sherpur
Meghna
Chandpur
Matamuhuri
Lama and Chiringa
Feni
Ramgarh
Balu
Demra
Ghagot
Gaibandha
Brahmaputra
Noonkhawa and Chilmari
Dhaleswari
Rekabi Bazar
Jamuna
Bahadurabad, Serajgonj and Aricha
Old Brahmaputra
Jamalpur and Mymensingh
Buriganga
Dhaka
TongiKhal
Dhaka
Lakhya
Narayanganj
Kaliganga
Taraghat
Banshi
Nayarhat
Brahmaputra Basin
Ganges Basin
Meghna Basin
Brahmaputra Basin
Meghna Basin
Brahmaputra Basin
17
Month
October
Rivers
Stations
Dhaleswari
Jagir
Ganges
Pankha, Rajshahi and Hardinge

Bridge
Mahananda
Chapai-Nwabganj and Rohanpur
Gorai
Gorai Rail Bridge and Kamarkhali
Mathabhanga
Chuadanga and Hatboalia
Padma
Goalanda and Bhagyakul
Kumar
Faridpur
Arialkhan
Madaripur
Kangsha
Jariajanjail
Gumti
Debider
Meghna
Bharaib Bazar
Karatoa
Bogra and Chakrahimpur
Kabadak
Jhikorgacha
Ich- Jamuna
Phulbari
Bhugal
Nakuagaon
Someswari
Durgapur
Sarigowain
Sarighat
River Basins
Ganges Basin
Meghna Basin
Brahmaputra Basin
Ganges Basin
MeghanaBesin
Meghna Basin
The Meghna Basin area is characterized by many hilly river sand, in this basin, 8 out of 20 WL
monitoring stations flowed above their respective danger level. As a result, floods of short to
moderate durations were experienced in Sylhet, Sunamgonj, Netrokona, Sherpur, Moulvi Bazar,
and Habiganj districts in 2013. Many of those floods were flash flood and stayed only for a few
hours.
South-East Basins
In the South Eastern Hill basins, the WL ofthe Muhuri or Matamuhuri, Halda and Matamuhuri had
crossed their respective danger level for 1-2 days, with a short duration of flood in the low lying
areas of Chittagong, Bandarban and Coxs Bazar districts.
2.4: Loss and Damages

It is difficult to estimate the damages from flood in 2013 due to paucity of data. In this year, flood
occurred Bangladesh two times - around July and September. During the onset of monsoon
in July, a wider part of north Bengal and part of central region along the Brahmaputra were
affected. Table-2.4 shows estimated damages from flood during this period. Of the 10 flood
affected districts, 4 were municipalities and 218 were unions of 33 upazilas. 9 people were
killed and about28,000 families were affected. Among all flood-affected districts, Thakurgaon,
Kurigram and Gaibandha had it worst.
18
During 2013, beside the river in flood, there were a number of incidents of tidal flooding along
many parts of coastal belt of Bangladesh. Due to 5 ft. tidal surge, Nizom Deep and part of
Hatia Island were inundated, damaging about 100 houses. Similarly, during June,many small
islands were inundated by 3-4 ft.surge at Golachipa of Patuakhali district, affecting about 10,000
people. In July, 4 unions of Monpuraupazila of Bhola district were also inundated by spring tide
affecting about 20,000 people and damaging 7 km embankment. In September, 300 houses
were damaged and 30,000 people became homeless in coastal districts of Bangladesh (Source:
ProthomAlo and Ittefaq news).
Table 2.4: Loss and Damages Due to Flood of 2013
Affected Area
District
Upazila
Thakurgaon
ThakurgaonSadar, Baliadangi,
Ranishongkoilo,
Haripur and
Pirgonj
Damage Scenario
No of
Municipality
02
Affected
No of HouseDeath holds
Toll
as per
GoB
No of
Union
40 08
Marooned
Households
as per
NGO*
Crop
(Acre)
No of
Bridge:09
9592
35,000
9901
No of house
fully: 868 and
partially 6276;
road: 28 km
Fully:
(including
55 and
mud and
55,000
Partially:
Carpeting);
570
Embankment: 7 km;
Educational
institution: 4
Kurigram
KurigramSadar,
Bhurungamari,
Nageshari,
Phulbari,
Razarhat,
Ulipur,
RoumariandChilmari
51 01
Gaibandha
Phulchari, Saghata, Sundargonj and

GaibandahSadar
19
5120
36,000
Dinajpur
Chirirbandar,
Khansama,
DinajpurSadar,
Biral, Kaharol
and Birgonj
3300
Panchagarh
PanchagarSadar, Atwari,
Boda and
Debigonj
01
18
20,000
(affected)
Others
2154
19
Affected Area
Damage Scenario
No of
Municipality
Affected
No of HouseDeath holds
Toll
as per
GoB
No of
Union
Marooned
Households
as per
NGO*
Crop
(Acre)
District
Upazila
Nilphamari
Dimala and Jaldhaka
12
20,000
Sirajgonj
Kazipur, SirajgonjSadar,
Belkuchi, Chouhaliand
Shajadpur
32
55,000
Bogura
Sariakandi
21
16,000
30,000
Lalmoirhat
Lalmonirhatsadar, Hatibandah,
and Patgram
1 (9
wards
of Patgram
Municipality)
Jamalpur
Islampur, Madergonj, Bokshigonj,

MelandahandDewangonj
25
Total=10
33
218
400
28,313
Others
2,57,000
Source: NIRAPAD, July 2013
2.5: Response
During the July flood in 10 northern and central districts, necessary supports were extended
from the Government sources. Government extended necessary supports for flood affected 10
northern and central districts in July. A total of 1500 MT rice were distributed among the victims
families, along with cash support of BDT 43,00,000. Moreover, 57 temporary flood shelters
were opened mostly in Thakurgaon and Gaibandha districts. 40 medical teams were working in
different flood affected areas of Gaibandha district.
20
Table 2.5: Response Initiatives from Agencies
Name of
District
Agency
GR Rice
(MT)
GR Cash
(00,000
BDT)
Prime
Minister
Relief
Fund
(00,000
BDT)
Thakurgaon
GoB
200.0
10
Kurigram
GoB
200.0
Gaibandha
GoB
200.0
Dinajpur
GoB
200.0
Panchagarh GoB
200.0
No of
Shelter
opened
12
-
Others Support
Comments*
45 No of Medical
Team : 40
5
Dry and
cooked food
200 people
were taken
shelter
4380 people
were taken
shelter at
school buildings
Nilphamari
GoB
100.0
Sirajgonj
GoB
100.0
Bogra
GoB
100.0
Lalmonirhat
GoB
100.0
Jamalpur
GoB
100.0
1500
43
Total=10
57
Source: NIRAPAD, 17 July 2013
21
CHAPTER 3 : CYCLONE AND STORM SURGES

3.1: Introduction
Bay of Bengal is the breeding ground of tropical cyclones with an average annual frequency
of 16 such disturbances, particularly with concentration in two periods: April-May and OctoberDecember, of which 5 may rise to cyclonic strength with wind speed of 64-185 km/hour. More
than 40 million poverty- stricken coastal people of Bangladesh, including hundreds of off shore
islands are highly vulnerable to such tropical cyclone and storm-surges. The deadliest cyclone
made landfall in Bangladesh was the cyclone of 1970 (November 12, 1970) and took a toll of
more then 300,000 lives with property losses of more than a billion US dollar. Within a little
over two decades, another catastrophic cyclone on April 29, 1991 claimed lives of about 138
thousand people inflicting extensive damage to property worth more than two billion US dollars.
With increasing population, more and more people are compelled to live in the risky coastal
areas threatened by cyclonic storms and tidal surges and, till now, cyclone with tidal bore is
the major killer in the coastal regions of Bangladesh. However, people living in this region, and
nearby offshore islands and char (island) areas have been vulnerable for centuries.
3.2: Cyclone and Storm Surges in Bangladesh: Historical Perspectives

Because of unique geographic allocation, cyclones and tidal surges are considered the most
regular catastrophic phenomena along the coastal regions of Bangladesh, which has affect
around 20 million poverty- stricken people in 15 districts and hundreds of offshore islands. Most
cyclones are formed in either pre or post-monsoon period. Till today, 45 major cyclones have
been recorded of which some catastrophic cyclones are of 1965, 1970, 1985, 1991, 1997, 2007,
2009 and 2013.
Table-3.1: Severe Cyclones Affecting Bangladesh since 1960
Month
Year
Max. Wind Speed

(km/h)
Storm Surge
Height (metre)
Human Deaths
October
1960
210
4.5-6
5149
May
1961
146
2.5-3
11466
May
1963
203
4-5
11520
May
1965
162
3.5
19279
December
1965
210
4.5-6
October
1966
146
4.5-9
850
November
1970
223
6-9
500000
May
1985
154
3-4.5
11069
April
1991
225
6-7.5
138000
May
1994
200
170
May
1997
225
2.5-4
126
November
2007
223
3-4
3363
May
2009
92
3+
190
May
2013
88
1.5-2
17
Source: Nizamuddin, 2001
22
3.3. Cyclone and Storm Surges in 2013

In 2013, the number of coastal cyclonic event was quite a few compared to previous years. The
only event, Mahasen, made its landfall on 16 May as a pre-monsoon type cyclonic event.
3.4. Super cyclone Mahasen: Formation and Landfall

Cyclone Mahasen made landfall on May16 , 2013 at 0900 hrs. with a wind speed of 110 km/hour
and a tidal surge of 3-4 of meter. A total of 123 mm rainfall was recorded at Patuakhali On 11th
May morning, it was at a distance of 350 km Southwest of Car Nicobar of the northernmost of
the Nicobar Islands, 1,030 km East-southeast of Trincomalee in Sri Lanka,1,300 km Southeast
of Chennai in India and 1,700 km South of Chittagong in Bangladesh. The depression moved
slightly north-westwards over the same area and was centered at 0900 hrs.of May 11,
2013 at about 1700 km southsouthwest of Chittagong port,1610 km south south-west of Coxs
Bazar port and 1705 km south south-east of Mongla port. According to BMD, the atmospheric
pressure was 990 mb and the maximum wind speed within 54 km. of the storm center was about
62 km/h rising, 88 km/h in gusts/squalls. On May 13, 2013 the cyclonic storm Mahasen was
centered about 1300 km south-southwest of Chittagong port,1230 km south-southwest of Coxs
Bazar port and 1220 km south of Mongla port. Maximum sustained wind speed within 54 km of
the storm centre was about 62 km/h, rising to 88 km/h in gusts/squalls.
Picture-1: The Track of the Cyclone Mahasen
Source: Internet
23
On May 15, 2013 (at about 0900 hrs.) the cyclone center was located at about 875 km southwest
of Chittagong port, 815 km southwest of Coxs Bazar port and 760 km south southwest of Mongla
port. Due to funnel shape of the shoreline, the cyclone was further intensified and started to
move further north-northeasterly direction. At 1000 hrs. of 15 May, the maximum sustained wind
speed within 54 km of the storm centre was about 62 km/h, rising to 88 km/h in gusts/squalls.
Chittagong and Coxs Bazar hoisted danger signal number 7(seven) and Mongla port hoisted
signal number 5(five). The coastal districts of central and eastern part of the Bay hoisted signal
number 7(seven) and western coastal districts hoisted signal no 5(five). On May 16, 2013
morning, the cyclone made landfall to the coastal districts and in the afternoon it weakened into a
tropical storm. Finally crossing through Noakhali-Chittagong coast it moved to adjoining Tripura
of India as a land depression (See Picture above).
3.5: Affected Areas

The cyclone hit 8 coastal districts: Chittagong, Bhola, Barguna, Pirojpur, Noakhali, Patuakhali,
Satkhira and Laxmipur. 251 unions of 42 upazilas of these 8 districts were hit by the cyclone.
There were devastated consequences with total death of 17 people and 102 injuries.
Table-3.2: Mahasen Affected Districts
Affected Upazila
Sl. No
District
Affected Union
Death
Chittagong
28
Bhola
64
Barguna
Pirojpur
7
38
Noakhali
33
Patuakhali
72
Satkhira
Laxmipur
15
Total
0
17
Source: NDRCC, MoDM&R, GoB
A total of 386, 221 people were affected, 14, 828 houses were fully damaged and 44, 182 people
were partly damaged (Table 2).
The figure above shows that among the 8 affected districts, Bhola, Patuakhali and Pirojpur were
more severely affected by Mahasen. In Patuakhali 72 unions, in Bhola 65 union, and in Pirojpur
39 unions were affected. In these three districts, total 297, 909 people were affected which
accounts for 77. 15% of the total affected people. Patuakhali, Bholaand Pirojpur are historically
highly vulnerable areas to cyclone and storm
24
Map-3.1: Affected Areas by Mahasen
surges, as seen in 1970 and 1991 cyclones. Unique geographical location and funnel shaped
coastline are the major causes to intensify the cyclone propagation and height of the stormsurges in these districts. High population density and very flat topography are the main causes of
increase in the number of affected population and resources along the coastal belt of Bangladesh.
25
Figure-3.1: Number of Affected Unions in Each Upazila by Mahasen

25
20
15
10
5
0
Affected Union
3.6: Loss and damages

Compared to previous cyclones in Bangladesh, the loss and damages due to cyclone Mahasen
was not very significant. Bangladesh is familiar with such catastrophic cyclones; 300 thousand
people were killed in 1970 and 138 thousand in 1991 while SIDR in 2007 killed 3363 people in
coastal region. However, Mahasen did not have that much intensity and the height of surges as
the earlier ones. Moreover, there were adequate preparedness from both government and nongovernment agencies/organization for an early response and post cyclonic rescue, relief and
rehabilitation. Despite these preparation, a total of 17 peoples were killed and 102 were injured
(Table-2)
Table-3.3: Total Loss and Damages in the Affected Coastal Districtsby Mahasen
Affected
Upazila
Chittagong
Affected
People
Shitakunda
30000
1000
Sandip
20000
50
650
350
3945
350
59296
50
2005
Banshkhali
Mirsari
26
Affected Household
Death Injured
Full
Partial
Affected
Embankment
Shelter
occupied
People
took
shelter
479
283000
479
28300
Affected
Upazila
Sadar
Burhanuddin
Bhola
Affected Household
Full
Partial
15000
4000
20000
140
200
20000
200
300
Manpura
Affected
Embankment
Shelter
occupied
People
took
shelter
460
29300
460
29300
324
64500
161
82000
161
82000
244
24500
244
24500
1500
Doulatkhan
Tazumiddin
Death Injured
1050
2000
Lalmohan
Charfassion
Barguna
Affected
People
3500
300
400
100000
4000
10000
5000
120
1280
167500
6460
14730
20
1
1
80
102
Amtali
Taltali
Bamna
Sadar
Betagi
Patharghata
7
Mathbaria
Kaukhali
Bhandaria
Pirojpur
13960
184
2303
7166
40
378
12376
143
1081
Nazirpur
3000
26
343
Zianagar
13588
Nesarabad
2469
Sadar
7441
50
60000
448
908
166
462
5641
Hatia
6600
1200
Subarnachar
5650
1000
Noakhali Companyganj
4400
800
Kabirhat
1326
103
Sadar
1150
106
Patuakhali
19126
3209
Sadar
11795
1490
3270
Bouful
15527
57
317
Dashmina
5900
585
1750
Galachipa
10875
1116
3700
27
Affected
Upazila
Satkhira
Laxmipur
Affected
People
Affected Household
Full
Partial
Kalapara
10620
2300
4200
Bangabali
9000
1450
3500
Mirjaganj
5160
460
1200
Dumki
1532
82
301
70409
7540
18238
Symnagar
1000
Death Injured
Affected
Embankment
Shelter
occupied
People
took
shelter
50
Debhata
1
1000
Sadar
1230
50
Raipur
1500
Ramgati
5000
80
120
Kamalnagar
2160
38
239
9890
120
359
Source: DMIC, MoDM&R, GoB
Figure-3.2: Number of Affected People in Each Upazila of the Affected Districts

Affected People Number
12000
10000
8000
6000
4000
2000
0
Affected People
28
3.7: Responses
SoD is an important device to activate the concerned authorities to response the emergency,
particularly during the cyclone. Soon after the announcement of the cautionary signals,
Department of Disaster Management (DDM), Deputy Commissioners office and the UzDMCs
all were activated and took initiatives to warn the fishermen not to refrain from sailing to sea and
also alerted the coastal communities. CPP volunteers and UDMCs started to disseminate early
warning using their megaphone. Announcements, through the speakers of the mosques, were
made to alert the local people and advise them to move to the nearest cyclone centers. Other
necessary steps .
Table-3.4: Location of Cyclone Centers along the Coastal belt of Bangladesh
Sl. No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
Total
District
Bagerhat
Barguna
Barisal
Bhola
Chandpur
Chittagong
Coxs bazar
Feni
Jhalokati
Khulna
Lakshmipur
Noakhali
Patuakhali
Pirojpur
Satkhira
Shariatpur
3777
Cyclone Shelter (Nos)

163
216
52
677
80
679
621
76
17
125
242
300
340
70
81
38
33,859,068
Population
1,476,090
892,781
2,324,310
1,776,795
2,416,018
7,616,352
2,289,990
1,437,371
682,669
2,318,527
1,729,188
3,108,083
1,535,854
1,113,257
1,985,959
1,155,824
Source: CDMP
Table -3.5: Emergency Supports to Mahasen Affected People in the Coastal Area
Sl. No.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
District
Chittagong
Coxs bazar
Laxmipur
Barisal
Barguna
Patuakhali
Pirojpur
Khulna
Bagehat
Satkhira
Bhola
Feni
Noakhali
GR Rice(MT)
600
200
200
100
200
200
200
100
100
200
100
100
200
GR Cash(BDT)
1,500,000
1,500,000
800,000
700,000
800,000
800,000
700,000
700,000
800,000
700,000
1,000,000
500,000
800,000
Source: DDM, MoDM&R, GoB

29
were taken as per SoD. DDM monitored and coordinated the overall situation. CDMP provided
situation reports on Mahasen on regular basis through DMIC. Bangladesh Navy and Bangladesh
Air Force came forward with their 22 vessels and ships and around 20 aircraft to drop and
transport emergency relief goods. In the affected districts,1, 327 emergency medical teams were
formed and mobilized for Emergency Health Care Service.
An important component of cyclone mitigation measures is the construction of cyclone shelters.
Cyclone shelters are multi-storied buildings, often with open-structure foundation sand reinforced
concrete pillars. In 1992, there were 512 cyclone shelters distributed/constructed along the entire
coast of Bangladesh; now the number has increased to 3,777. Despite the recent expansion of
cyclone shelters in coastal Bangladesh, their numbers are still not adequate for the proportions
of population in each cyclone zone.
3.8: Case Study
Case Study
Early Warning and Evacuation

Barguna is the district that situated at the southern coastal region of Bangladesh. The people
of Barguna struggled with natural disasters like Cyclone SIDR, AILA or MAHASEN. After losing
everything in disaster, people start to dream again for new lives. However, disaster remains
accurse to them. Although disaster is very common for them, they have to carry on with their
normal life with the risks. On May 12, 2013, the people of Barguna coastal areas heard the
news on weather forecast of the advent of MAHASEN through LokoBetar. The government took
initial measures and tried to save life and assets. By using the community radio, they requested
the farmers to collect crops from the field (since 80% of crops were ripened), to cut down the
branches of larger tread tied the vegetable garden with hard bamboo.
For preparedness against the cyclone MAHASEN, the Deputy Commissioner called emergency
meeting at his office. The meeting was chaired by the District Commissioner, Mr. Md. Abdul
Wahab Bhuiyan. Representatives and officers from different departments were present at the
meeting. Different government officers were ordered to stay at their station at Union, Upazila and
Zila level until and unless the cyclone subsided. In the meeting, it was proposed and decided
that the Department of Disaster Management and Relief, weather forecasting department of
BMD and Radio LOKOBETER will work together for effective disaster preparedness. On May
13, 2014the Upazila administration, Union Parishad officials and representatives of CPP had
a discussion in the district commissioners office. They decided to broadcast the signaling and
preparedness news from that day afternoon.
For reducing the risks of cyclone MAHASEN, the Radio LOKOBETER management committee
instantly decided to broadcast the weather news continuously on a round-the-clock basis. Mr.
Janangir Alam, the Program Officer of Radio LOKOBETER told that they broadcasted the
weather news for 5 days continuously. In some areas, the volunteers of Radio LOKOBETER
also ensured some weather news to reach to the community by their own volunteers.
30
At the beginning, the community people did not believe the news. However, from 14th May, they
started responding to the news by taking their preparedness. At that very day, the administration
declared signal number 4 and requested community to go to cyclone shelter. At the beginning,
people were not prepared enough to take shelter at cyclone shelter, but with the raising of signal
and the news of weather forecast through LOKOBETAR they were motivated to take shelter.
Some other preparedness activities like life savings, relief, emergency healthcare etc. were also
in line with the cooperative initiatives from Government, NGOs, CPP and others to reduce the
damage of the disaster .
The Borguna Zila Troller/Trawler Owners Association Secretary Golam Mostafa Chowdhury
said, The continuous broadcasting of weather news of Radio LOKOBETER saved more than
2000 trollers/trawlers. The Deputy Director of Cyclone Preparedness Program (CPP) Mr.
Hafizur Rahman said that total 5,580 volunteers of CPP worked in 372 units for reducing the
risk of cyclone MAHASEN. The District Disaster and Relief Officer said, There are 324 Cyclone
shelters with the capacity of 1 lakh 29 thousands 6 00 people in Borguna. However, at the
MAHASEN period, shelters were over crowded as too many people took shelter.
MAHASEN smashed the coastal district of Borguna on 15th May, 2013. In total 7 people died in
that disaster as per government record and 13 people died as per non-government record. As
per government data, 1,979 people were wounded and 118,305 families and 518,690 people
became victim of it. MAHASEN damaged crops of 74, 863 acre of land, 298 fish firms and 13,500
fish ponds. The death rate would increase certainly, if the people did not get any signal and news
and prepared themselves to face the dreadful catastrophe of nature. Lokobetar played a certain
role in the area so that people could take shelter at cyclone shelter timely and respond effectively
to the disaster risks.
31
CHAPTER 4 : TORNADOES AND NOR'-WESTER

4. 1. Introduction
The people of Bangladesh face Norwester and Tornado, which create loss and damages to life
and properties almost each year. During the pre-monsoon period, there have been incidents
of violent occurrences of tornadoes in the mainland of Bangladesh. The March-May period is
the formation and out-breaks period of tornadoes in Bangladesh, with the highest frequencies
from end March to mid-April with as harp decline thereafter. The frequency of Norwesters and
Tornado usually reaches a maximum in April, whereas there are few in Mayand minimum in
March. Norwester s and tornadoes are more frequent in the afternoon.
4.2. Tornado in Bangladesh: Historical Perspectives

During the last 140 years, there have been more than 65 incidents of tornadoes; many were
catastrophic in nature. Since the independence of Bangladesh, the country has experienced
32 tornadoes of different magnitude; more than 100 people were killed in 12 of such events.
However, the tornadoes of April 26, 1989 (Saturia Tornado) and May 13, 1996 (GupalpurJamalpur Tornado) were the two most devastating events in the history of Bangladesh killing
1300 and 700 peoples respectively.
The climatic condition of India-subcontinent is characterized by local severe atmospheric
disturbance during the two transitional periods between southwest. During the pre-monsoon
period, there is likely occurrence of abnormal rainfall or drought conditions in different parts of
Bangladesh. There are some local atmospheric disturbances and seasonal storms, popularly
known as Norwesters (Kalbaishakhi) and such Norwesters are generally associated with
tornadoes. The tornadoes are formedwithin the Norwester and moves along the direction of the
squall of the mother storm. Usually, such tornadoes are formed and outburst in the afternoon.
Table-1 shows some of the devastating tornadoes that hit Bangladesh and killed more than 50
peoples.
Wind-speeds in Norwesters usually 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 cloud having speed of more than that, they are termed tornadoes. Tornadoes
are suddenly formed and are extremely localized in nature and of brief duration. Thus, it is
very difficult to locate them or forecast their occurrence with the present techniques available.
However, high-resolution satellite pictures, suitable radar, and a network of
densely spaced meteorological observatories could be useful for the prediction or warning of
tornadoes.
32
Map-4.1: Tornado Affected Areas with dates
33
Table-4.1 : List of Catastrophic Tornadoes in Bangladesh Killing more than 50 People.

Date
Time
Location
People Killed
7 April, 1888
19.00
Dhaka
118
7 April,1888
19.30
Rajbari
70
12 April, 1902
Dhaka
12 May, 1951
Faridpur district
200
Jhaukandi in Faridpur, Dohar and Nawabganj in

Dacca dist
210
19 March, 1961
16.00
3 April, 1961
11 April, 1964
88
Hit south of Comilla between Zangalia and Lalmai.

16.30
62
Magura and Naraildists.Including Mohammadpur.
500+
16 April, 1967
NA
Naria and Bhederganj unions.
11 April, 1968
NA
Naria, Zajira and Bhederganj under Shariatpurzila.
141
77
14 April, 1969
16.45
NE suburbs of Dhaka.
660
14 April,1969
17.15
HomnaUpazial of Comilla district
1 April, 1972
18.30
14 miles south-west of Mymensingh,
5 April, 1972
16.50
Keraniganj and Baliaghata in south Dhaka suburbs,
29 April, 1972
NA
12 April, 1973
15.00
263
200+
75
Bhakua and Haripur unions of Barishal P.S.,
300
Baliakandi in Faridpur dist.,
200
17 April, 1973
14.45
Manikganj, SingairandNawabganj in Dhaka dist.,
681
11 April, 1974
NA
11 miles west of Bogra,
100
1 April, 1977
16.00
Madaripur & Shibchar,
500
Mokshedpur, Bhanga and Tungipara unions of Gopalganj,
111
Parshuram, Fulgazi to Somarpur to Sonagazi in Feni

districts
200
Moved along Baitarani river, BD. Hit villages of Kapundi, Erandi, Dhanbeni and Rengalbeda.
120
2 April, 1977
12 April, 1981
17 April, 1981
NA
Midday
14.30
14 April, 1986
Evening
26 April, 1989
18.30
20 April, 1990
NA
Borni of Tungiapara,
120
Daultipur and Shalturia,
1300
Taras, Ullahpara and Shahazadpur in Sirajganj,
76
18 May, 1991
NA
Gournadi in Barisal,
50
13 May, 1993
1645
Begumganj, Noakhali districts
50
1630
Madarganj, Gopalpur, Kallhati, Basail, Shakipur and

Mrizapur in Jamalpur and Tangail districts,
13 May, 1996
700
Source: CDMP, 2013
34
4.3. Tornado in 2013

Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) collects the information of daily incident of
Norwester and Tornadoes.5 incidents of Tornadoes have been reported in 2013. These are
Brahmanbaria Tornado of March22, 2014, Natore and Noagoan Tornadoes ofApril 1, 2014,
JessoreTornado of May 25, 2014 and Gopalganj Tornado of June 10, 2014. In all cases, the
tornadoes hit in the afternoon when most of the people were outside for different activities.
The Tornado which hit 2 Upazilas of Brahmanbaria was catastrophic in nature. A total of 34
people were killed and 388 were injured in this. A week later, on April 1, 2014 at 5.00 pm,
a Tornado hit various places of Natore and Noago an districts of North Bengal. At Natore,
there was no death tolls but 479 families were heavily affected and 809 families were partially
affected. However, 2 people were killed and 26 were injured in Noagoan. 340 families were
heavily affected and 3,830 families were partially affected.
Table-4.2: List of Tornadoes in 2013 and Damages
Location
Date
Chittagong
Brahmanbaria
Natore
22nd March
Time
Death
Family Affected
600
5.30 pm
Laxmipur
200
1st April
5.00 pm
Barguna
200
Noagoan
1st April
5.00 pm
Pirojpur
200
Jessor
25th May
Gopalgong
10th June
Total
Injured
1,500,000
34
388
1728
800,000
26
1288
800,000
4170
700,000
38
414
7186
Source, NDRRC, MoDM&R
4.4. Catastrophic Tornado at Brahmanbaria

On March 22, 2013, a catastrophic tornado hit 2upazilas of Brahmanbaria district at around
5.10 pm. In less than 15 minutes, the terrifying tornado at a wind speed of 70 mile per hour and
diameter of 8 km, ruined 15 villages in 6 unions of Akhaura and Brahmanbaria Sadar Upazila.
Thousands of trees and utility poles were toppled down and thousands left homeless. The
tornado disrupted both train and road communication, which interrupted rescue operations. Part
of the prison house of the district collapsed, resulting in death of a guard. Many crops, mostly
paddy, were damaged.
35
Picture-1: Total Damage of a House
Picture-1: the Funnel Shaped Wind Blow
4.5: Formation and Landfall of Brahmanbaria Tornado

It was a clear summer day. However, suddenly in the afternoon, a smoky funnel shaped tornado
started to blow from south-west corner and the local people were terrified with such an outburst
of the nature. Tornado is a common natural hazard in Bangladesh during the March-April period,
but people of Brahmanbaria and surrounding never experienced such ruinous natural event
except for flood. People of this area do not have any knowledge and experience about such
tornado and their houses were not built in resistance to such event; most of their houses are
of tin structure in densely populated area. The tornado damaged the infrastructures, houses,
standing crops, livestock and other means of livelihood. Only in 15 minutes time, thousands of
people became the worst victims of this deadly tornado and were forced to stay under open sky
with suffering and miseries.
4.6: Affected Areas

The Tornado passed through 6 Unions of 2 Upazilas of Brahmanbaria District. More than 15
villages of were hit by this super Tornado. The major affected villages are Patirhata, Urshiura,
Chandi, Chinair, Kodda, Radhika, Bashudev, Badshala in Sadarupazila, Azampur in Akhaura
and Merashine in Bijoynagar upazila. Among them, Urshiura, Jarurtola, Patiarhata, Sultanpur,
Jibontola, Chinair, Machirhata, Chaldpur and Paghachang villages were affected seriously.
Table-4.3: Affected Areas by Brahmanbaria Tornado in 2013
Name of
Upazila
Total number of
Unions
Severely affected Union
Moderately affected
Union
Brahmanbaria
Sadar
12
(incl. B.Baria
municipality)
2
(Machihata,
Basudev)
3
(Ramrail, Sultanpur,
DakkhinSingerbil)
Akhaura
6
(incl. Akhaura
municipality
1
(Uttar Akhaura)
1
(Akhaura
Municipality)
18
11
2 Upazilas
Not affected

36
Map-4.2: Affected Unions of Brahmanbaria Sadar and Akhaura Upazila
37
Map-4.3: Affected Villages of Brahmanbaria Sadar and Akhaura Upazila
4.7: Loss and Damages

This single event resulted to huge casualties and damage to lives and properties in the affected
area. However, the damages can be broadly categorized accordingly:
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
Human casualty and injury

Damages to Roads, Electric lines and other infrastructure
Complete and/or partial damage to houses
Damages to crops, farms, poultries, fisheries etc.
This catastrophic tornado made massive damages to lives and resources in the affected area.
Electric lines and poles were uprooted, 200 ft. prison boundary wall and 420 ft.prison security
boundary wall collapsed, women ward, kitchen, security wall and partition including main gate
of prison also collapsed. Road Communication systems collapsed due to numerous broken
trees. Electricity was disrupted and the whole Brahmanbaria city was seriously affected. Road
Communication, especially Sylhet-Chittagong Highway collapsed due to fallen and uprooted
trees on the road.
38
Table 4.4: Damage Caused by Tornado of 22 March, 2013 at Branmanbaria
District
Affected Affected
Upazila
Union
(No)
(No)
Barh2
manbaria
District
6
IInjured
(No)
Death
(No)
Affected Families (no)
Affected People
(No)
Fully
Fully
Partially
Barhmanbaria
34
388
Fully
Partially
Fully Partially
1985
2635
752
173
402
6630
Livestock
Death
(No)
Poultry
Death
(No)
Affected Educational Institutes

(No)
299
910
Affected
Crops (Acres)
Partially
1326
Fully
Affected
Households
(No)
Affected Religious Institute

(No)
1112
Affected Road
(km)
Partially
1
2.25
Table-4.4 shows that 34 people were killed and 388 were injured. The injured people were
immediately taken to local Upazila hospital for necessary treatment.8,615 people of 1,728
families were affected by the tornado. There were serious damages tomany infrastructure and
buildings. Total 3,387 households, 6 educational institutes and 1,285 acres of crop areawere
affected and 2.25 km of road was damaged. The Pre-monsoonal period is the time of Boro rice
cultivation in Bangladesh. At the time of Tornado in Brahmmanbaria, there were standing boro
crops in the field, which were about to harvest. However, in a few minutes time, much of the
standing crops, including Boro rice and vegetable farms were heavily affected. Table-4.5 shows
that in Brahmabaria Sadar upazila 490 hectors of rice field were affected, of which 60 hectors
were fully damaged. The status of vegetable fields was worse and 100 vegetables farms of 10
hectors land were fully damaged in this Upazila. In Akhaura Upazila, Akhaura North union was
very severely affected;in this Union, Boro crops of 30 hectors were affected, of which 10 hectors
were completely damaged.
Table 4.5: Upazila wise Crop Damage Caused by Tornado of 22 March, 2013 at Brahmanbaria
Upazila
Brahmanbaria
Sadar
Crops
Rice (Boro)
Vegetable
Akhaura
Rice (Boro)
Vegetable
Total
Total
Area (Ha)
Affected
area (Ha)
Damage (%)
Other remarks
275 ha. fully
damaged in an
average
14430
490
Fully (100%) damaged: 60

ha.
Partially (50%) damaged:
430 ha.
715
10
100%
5150
30
Fully (100%) damaged: 10

ha.Partially (50%) damaged: 20 ha.
No/insignificant cultivation
20295
530
10 ha. fully
damaged
20 ha. fully
damaged in an
average

39
4.8: Responses
a. Immediate Response:
Immediately after the tornado, rescue operations were carried out with the help of Fire Service,
BGB, Police, RHD, PWD and local public representative. A 10ft. high CI sheet partition was
constructed immediately in the district prison and electricity system inside the jail was restored
through generator. Fire Service, BGB, Police and RHD managed to restart road communication
by removing fallen trees. Almost all the affected families received cooked food twice a
day from the Government Administration. Dry food distribution among affected people was
arranged by UP chairman, public representatives and other organizations.
b. Response by the Government:
The Government of Bangladesh, along all its allied agencies, promptly responded to this tornado
and came forward with all available supports. All these responses can be categorized accordingly:
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
Highest concerned personnel, including Honorable Prime Minister of the country, visited
the affected areas.
Immediate response was provided to rescue operation.
First-Aid and necessary treatment were provided to all injured people
Ready-made food were supplied to the victims
Government allocated relief to the affected families
Table 4.6: Necessary Supports and Allocation to the Tornado Victim families
District
Brahmanbaria
GR
Rice
(MT)
GR Cash
(BDT)
CI
Sheets
(Bundle)
Cash for
House
Const.
(BDT)
Sharee
(No)
Lungi
(No)
Tents
(No)
2577500
2858
7446000
500
500
852
261.58
Utensils
(Families)
300*
Old
Cloths
(Families)
1000**
* Chamber of Commerce distributed utensils among 300 families.

**Other organizations distributed old cloths among 1000 families.
Honorable Prime Minister and Minister of Disaster Management and Relief visited the affected
are on March 25, 2013 and provided necessary instructions to district administration and other
concerned authorities to overcome the situation. DDM sent 5 officers from adjacent Upazilas
to make list of affected people and supervise the distribution of relief materials. In addition,
801 families were provided with Tent for temporary shelter. Later, ultra poor families had been
identified on priority basis to receive brick built 2 rooms . DDM constructed the houses under
Bangladesh Climate Change Trust Fund (revenue budget). Honorable Prime Minister distributed
cash relief among the victim families. The local people were assured of support from the
Government by the Honorable Prime Minister. She also assured the students to replace their
lost books and other educational materials shortly.
40
Picture: Honorable Prime Ministers Visit to the Affected Area
Department of Disaster Management (DDM) of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief
allocated 453 tents and sent it on March 23, 2013; the tents were erected with the help of
Bangladesh Army. 1,200 bundle of G.I Sheets (500 from DDM and 700 from Dutch Bangla
Bank Ltd) were also sent to distribute. Moreover, District administration mobilized another 180
bundles of C.I sheets from its previous stock. Tk.15,00,000.00 (fifteen lac) was also allocated
for 500 bundles to distributeTk.3,000.00/bundle among C.I sheet receivers to build their houses.
200 tons of GR Rice were distributed among the victim families at the rate of 30.0 Kgs per family.
Allotment of Tk. 25, 60,000.00 (Twenty Five Lac Sixty Thousand) were also made to distributed
at the rate of Tk. 20,000.00 for families of each dead people and Tk.5000.00 for the injured.
Furthermore, 123.2 tons GR Rice were distributed among 1,273 families at the 30 Kgs per family.
In addition, Brahmanbaria District Primary Education Office distributed 1180 set of primary book
(Class I-V) and 615 set of secondary school book (Class VI-X). Police department distributed
a package of 3 kg Rice, 1 kg Dal and 1 kg Potato among 650 families. Public health Directorate
repaired 200 tube-wells and installed 20 new tube-wells. REB repaired 12 km of electric line.
LGED installed tube well to restore water system.
c. Response by other Organizations:
i. Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS)
Immediately after the disaster, BDRCS deployed its National Disaster Response Team (NDRT)
to assess the damage. BDRCS and International Federation of Red Cross and Red
Crescent Societies (IFRC) jointly dispatched relief (1 tarpaulin, 2 water jerry cans and 1 family
kit for each family) for 600 affected families for immediate distribution. A medical team was also
sent to Brahmanbaria to help the injured, while 70 unit volunteers were provided first aid in the
Brahmanbaria Sadar hospital.
41
Table-4.7: Shows the Supports Provided by BDRCS and IFRC

Name of Upazila
Name of Union
Sultanpu
Brahmanbaria
Sadar
Machihata
Bashudeb
Total
Name of Villages
No of Families
Oshiura
40
Fatirhata
60
Fulbaria
150
Chinaay
150
Dubla
200
Item per family

Tarpaulin 1 pc,
water jerry
cane 2 pc and
family kit 1 pc
for each family as
a package
Jarultola
600
Source: BDRCS
ii. Others:
World Food Programmed(WFP) allocated 12.33 MT of fortified biscuits to 1644 affected
households. Each household was provided with 7.5 kg of fortified biscuits. Nova Pharmaceuticals
provided 565 packets medicine to the Civil Surgeon for treatment of injured people. Society
for Social and Technological group distributed a package of 10kg rice, 2ltr soybean oil, 1kg
sugar, 1 kg dal, 1 kg flatten rice, 18pcs CI sheet for each among 100 families. BRAC distributed
package of 15kg rice, 1ltr soybean oil, 1kg salt, 1 kg dal and 2 kg potato for each of the 1200
families. BGFCL distributed BDT 5000 to each of the 32 HSC Candidates. Trust Bank
allocated Tk. 5, 00,000.00 for the victims. Ashuganj Power Station (APSCL) also allocated
Tk.5, 00,000.00. Ayesha Memorial Hospital provided emergency medical support to the victims.
d. Response to Medical Supports:
A number of medical teams were deployed in the field to help the victims. Injured people were
immediately admitted to Brahmanbaria General Hospital and other hospitals/clinics.
However, 15 seriously injured persons were sent to Comilla Cantonment and some others were
sent to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for further treatment.
Medical teams were formed including members from Office of the Director General of Health
Services, Dhaka, Civil Surgeon office, Comilla Civil Surgeon office, Narsingdi and Comilla
Medical College Hospital, Comilla. Two medical teams from Comilla Cantonment were mobilized
for rendering medical services; 2000 patients were treated through this initiative.
Moreover, a Medical team by Gonoshasthaya Kendra also treated 11,93l patients. Medical team
of Border Guard Bangladesh and Japan Bangladesh Friendship Hospital, Dhaka were also
serving the victims.
42
CHAPTER 5 : BUILDING COLLASPE

5.1. Introduction
Incident of building collapse has increased significantly in the recent years. It is not only the old
building which are vulnerable to any kind of shocks such as earthquake, but also many new
or under construction building are even falling. This is mostly due to faulty structure and noncompliance of existing building rules of the country; many of the high-rise buildings are built
higher than the approvals limit and with more than approved number of floors. In newly filled lowlying areas, building are being constructed without any protective engineering measures and,
thus, many of these faces sudden structural failure with loss of life and properties.
5.2. Building Collapse in 2013

Beside the collapse of Rana Plaza, there were six more incidents of building collapse in 2013.
1 died and 3 were injured in the collapse of a Pavilion in the Dhaka International Export Fair. In
Chittagong, the balcony of first floor of a three-storied building collapsed; 54 families of 4th class
employees of Chittagong Medical college lived there.
The balcony fell down when some masons were working to put pillars under it. Family members
living in the buildings stated that although they informed the concerned authorities about the
shabby conditions, no step were taken in this regard. A 270 year old temple at Chansrain Jessore
Sadar Upazila collapsed suddenly.1 person who lived in a katch house adjacent to the temple
died in the incident. 1under construction four-storied building collapsed at Ray Saheb Bazar in
old Dhaka. The owner of the building did not have any approved design and did not follow the
building rules.
5.3: Collapse of Rana Plaza: Tragedy of the Garment Workers

On April 24, 2013, more than 1135 people died in one of the worlds worst tragic industrial
accidents. The collapse of Rana Plaza, an nine storied multiplex housing clothing factories,
a bank, and shops came under catastrophic disaster without any notice. There were five garment
factories (New Wave Button, New Wave Styles, Ethar Tex, Phantom Apparels and Phantom
Tex) with around 5,000 garment workers. It was estimated that by the Bangladesh Garment
Manufacturers and Exporters Association that 3,122 workers were inside the building at the time
of the collapse.
The workers of the garment factories noticed that cracks had developed on some pillars and in
few floors of the building after a jolt just a day prior to the accident. This caused panic among the
garment workers. Next day, ignoring the advice given by a team of industrial police to suspend
operation and keep the building closed, the authority forced the worker to come to work. This
made the high death toll in the history of industrial accident in Bangladesh.
The building was constructed with sub-standard materials on an unsuitable land. Poor quality
construction materials were used during construction and a portion of the building was also
constructed on land which used be a water body that was later filled with rubbish. The building
had no RAJUK approval and supervision during its intermittent construction to raise further floors
was virtually absent. Savar Municipality permitted the owner to construct a six floored building,
43
Map-5.1: Building Collapes Areas with dates
44
which the owner violated by building eighth and ninth floor. Moreover, the building had faulty
engineering structure like undersized column of 10 x 12; such undersized columns in such
a commercial-cum-factory building with heavy equipment are a complete violation of building
rules. Within the building, the garments factories had to operate thousands of sewing machines
and a generator in the upper factory floor. The vibration of the generator together with thousands
of sewing machines and undersized structural columns threatened the buildings integrity, which
eventually led to the collapse of the structure.
Table-5.1: Losses due to Collapse of Rana Plaza
Type of Loss and Damage
No of People
Rescued Alive
2438
Death Bodies Rescued
1130
Rescued Alive but Died at Hospital
12
Total Death
1127
Dead Dody Handed Over
836
Unidentified Dead Bodies Buried by Anjuman

Mufidul Islam
289
Dead Body Kept at DMC Morgue

Total Rescued
2
3553
Source: FSCD, GoB
The Rana Plaza disaster prompted the government to introduce some reforms. Some international
retailers also proposed an accord to improve safety conditions in Bangladesh. After the incident,
a 400-page report was submitted to the government making several recommendations.The
authorities said that 1,135 people died and about 2,500 people were injured in the Accident;
of them, 2,437 people were rescued. On May10, 2013,17 days after the collapse, a woman
was rescued alive from the rubble. It was a glimmer of hope for rescue workers after weeks of
hauling bodies out of the ruins, but the authorities called off the rescue just three days later. Just
a day before the collapse, the building was briefly evacuated when cracks appeared in the walls.
However, workers were later allowed back in /ordered by the factory owners to get back to work.
5.4: Rescue Operation

Immediately after accident, the local people started the rescue operation on their own. Such
operation was later aided and led by Bangladesh Army in association with Navy, Fire Service,
BGB and Police. Different volunteer teams also took part in the rescue activities. The police and
RAB maintained the law and order situation.
One of the important aspect of the rescue operation is the stimulus participation of volunteers
of different age and groups. A total of nearly 1000 volunteer from Dhaka, Keraniganj and
Narayanganj area (trained by Fire Service and Civil Defense.under Ministry of Disaster
Management and Relief) were working in the rescue operation.To purchase rescue equipment
instantly, MoDMR has given BDT 5, 00,000.00 to Fire Service and Civil Defense.
45
Affected People
Figure 5.1: Responsibilities of Volunteers
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Se
De arc
ad h a
Bo nd
di Re
es c
ov
Ca
er
to rry
Am ing
bu W
la ou
nc nd
e ed
by
St Per
Su
re so
tc ns
to pp
he
Tr lyin
r
ap g
pe Fo
d od
Vi /
cti Dr
m in
s kin
gW
Pr
at
o
Ot vi
er
he din
rR g
es Foo
cu d
er to
s
Parcent
Responsibilities Performed by the Volunteers
Volunteers
Table 5.2:Responsibilities of the Volunteers

Responsibilities of Volunteers
Percentage
Rescuing Live Victims
67%
Supply Equipment
Lowest Temparature Trend

44%
Search and Recover Dead Bodies
38%
Mob Control
9
35%
10
27%
Assisting 6Senior Volunteers
17%
Temparature
Carrying Wounded
Persons to Ambulance by
8
Stretcher
7
Supplying5Food / Drinking Water to Trapped

Victims 4
13%
Providing3Food to Other Rescuers
8%
Others
19%
2
1
Source: CDMP Report
01
01
,2
,2
18
17
ar
nu
Ja
Ja
nu
ar
ar
nu
Ja
,2
16
,2
15
ar
nu
Ja
ar
nu
01
01
,2
14
,2
13
Ja
ar
nu
Ja
01
01
,2
12
Ja
nu
ar
11
nu
ar
10
Ja
ar
nu
Ja
01
,2
01
,2
20
9,
ar
nu
Ja
46
01
13
Among many other organizations and volunteers taking part in the rescue operation, the main
shouldering of the task was given on Maj. Gen. Chowdhury Hasan Sarwardy, GOC of the Ninth
Infantry Division of Bangladesh Army to coordinate the operation. A strategy was formed to
rescue the trapped people safely from the building. Therefore, the operation progressed slowly
and rescuers supplied food, water and oxygen to the trapped victims. In addition, individuals and
different organizations were providing dry food, water, medicine, cash money, juice, cloths, torch
Month
light etc.
Reshma, a garment worker, was found alive under
the debris of Rana Plaza at 3:30 pm, May 10, on the

17th day of the building collapse, almost 408 hours
into the rescue operation. Reshma was trapped in
the basement of Rana Plaza. She did not have any
significant injuries.
Clearing the debris with heavy equipment had

reached the basement level when a rescuer heard
the voice of a woman in the rubble and all operation
with heavy equipment stopped. Reshma was given
food and water and pulled out within 15 minutes. She
was rushed to the nearby Combined Military Hospital
for evaluation and treatment. She later told a TV
channel from her hospital bed that she never dreamt
she would see daylight again.
Source: CDMP Report 20
While the volunteers were busy to rescue the wounded people under the debris of the building,
the doctors and interns in nearby hospitals worked round the clock to treat the wounded. Blood
donation camps were set up for the thousands of donors on site and all over the city. The injured
were instantly taken to the nearby Enam Medical College Hospital and subsequently in many
other hospitals in Savar and Dhaka city for accommodation and better treatment. Dead bodies
were kept at nearby Adhar and College field.
. Table 5.3: Treatment Information of Injured People (Source: Health Dept.)
Hospital/Clinic
Admitted
Released
Referred
Enam Medical College Hospital
554
1000
CMH, Savar
163
402
40
(NITOR), Dhaka
156
70
35
59
SavarUpazila Health Complex

Dhaka Medical College Hospital
68
11
Super Clinic
55
55
C.R.P, Savar
42
Sima General Hospital
25
130
Lake Zone Hospital - 2
21
17
Prime Hospital
19
25
Lake Zone Hospital - 1
16
54
Apollo Hospital
16
Rezia Clinic
14
38
CMH, Dhaka
13
SahidSuhrawardi Medical College Hospital, Dhaka
11
National Kidney Disease Institute and Hospital, Dhaka
11
GonoSwasthaKendro Hospital
10
47
Hospital/Clinic
Admitted
Rabeya Hospital
Released
5
Referred
6
Dip Clinic
38
Savar General Hospital
30
Prince Hospital
15
Polash Clinic
National Chest Disease Hospital
Wander Hospital
Square Hospital
National Institute of Cardio Vascular Disease
Al-Madina Hospital
New Dip Clinic

Total
36
1291
1885
121
Source: DMIC, MoDM&R
5.5: Relief Activities

Government approved BDT 20000.00 for family of each deceased person. Total of BDT
98, 00,000.00 was distributed to 490 families. BDT 5000.00was allocated for each injured
person; BDT 47,15,000.00 was distributed among 943 injured persons. BDT 4,00,00,000.00
had been allocated from MoDMR to DDM. DDM had allotted BDT 3, 00, 00,000.00 to District
Administration for distribution.
5.6: Case Study
Case Study
Community Volunteers respond to the building collapse in Savar

They call it a pancake collapse when a buildings walls crumble, pillars weaken and the floors
vertically slam down on one another. That was exactly what the Khilgaon Fire Station Community
Volunteers saw when they arrived at the spot in two pickups arranged by the fire station on the
morning following the day of the incident.
The volunteers started picking up pieces of concrete, glass and other debris on the ground to
clear the access road through the building. Mohammed Golam Murtaza Sayham, a 16-year old
volunteer, rushed to nearby small shops, followed by another young volunteer to help two fire
men keep the crowd from taking away packaged dry food and drinks lined along the shelves,
as he learned during the Community Volunteer training on Collapse structure search, rescue,
fire fighting and first aid in September 2011.The Bangladesh Fire Services and Civil Deference
organized the training on search and rescue with a special focus on building collapse. Others
cleared up the road and after finishing the job in two hours, went straight to the Incident Post
to report their presence and move towards the inside of the premises where the FSCD were
leading the first phase of rescue operations.
48
Volunteers were standing in lines near the holes outside premises of the building, passing
pieces of bricks, slabs and other debris
to clear the way for other rescuers.
They did what they were trained to
do. Volunteers were working in pairs
and when handling drill machines, one
would hold the drill and another would
support from behind, taking turns every
15 minutes.
20-year old Mohammed Zakir Hossain
Gazi, a temporary employee at the
Dhaka City Corporation, went down
into the holes several times to help the
search for victims still alive in the voids
between the floors. He would call out to
survivors and listen closely for any sounds. His brother, 23-year old Mohammed Julhash Alam,
carried out four bodies of victims on his back. Julhash says: We were trained on how to care for
victims. How to hold them.How to identify where they might be hurt.
In addition to pulling out bodies from the collapsed
building, the volunteers were providing immediate support
to people still alive. Sultanara Begum Shilpi, a 50-year
old volunteer, who provided support to victims pulled out
of the rubble, said: I had scissors with me which I used
to cut the side of the victims clothes that were too tight.
They were tired and needed to breathe easily. Cutting the
clothes helped.
To date, the Fire Service and Civil Defense under the
Ministry of Home Affairs have 10,000 trained volunteers
in Dhaka alone, out of a target of 62,000 urban residents
trained on Collapsed Structure Search and Rescue to
act as an auxiliary force for the Fire Services. Under
DIPECHO VI Action Plan in South Asia, which is the
European Commission Humanitarian Office programme
on disaster preparedness and disaster risk reduction,
the NARRI Consortium has supported the training of 850
volunteers through 24 training sessions at fire stations
located in the urban city areas of Dhaka and Sylhet.
Approximately 1,000 volunteers were present over 12 days of the entire rescue operation. At a
time around 250 volunteers formed part of rescue teams working in two shifts around the clock.
40-year old Umme Kulsum Shetu who works as a ward superintendent at a private hospital said:
We had no time for rest. Our shift was from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. more or less. We only stopped
for lunch and went home at night to sleep. We didnt want to stop working or go home at night.
Three tents were set up so that rescuers could rest and reenergize. The fire station arranged two
pickups for volunteers in the city to come to the site. They were responsible in picking me in the
morning and dropping me my home at night.
49
The camaraderie between the Fire Services and their volunteers has warmed up even more
since the Savar building collapse. Abdul Momen, Assistant Director at the Training Division said:
The numbers of volunteers there-trained and not trained-were unprecedented. Many called to
enquire how they could contribute to the rescue. I am very happy with the Community Volunteers.
I have seen them perform exactly what they learnt in trainings.
The Community Volunteers trained in different batches under the Khilgaon Fire Station have
grown to be a family with people from diverse backgrounds and varying age groups. It is the
shared attitude of volunteerism and doing something for the community that connects the
volunteers, who regularly respond to calls from the fire stations.
Occasional visits to the fire stations on invitation of the officers and yearly jamborees build up
the friendships between volunteers and fire stations. These also give everyone an opportunity
to practice all what they have learned. Julhash proudly claims: I could use what I learnt after
the training. If anything like the Savar building collapse happens again, I will know what to do.
50
CHAPTER 6 : COLDResponsibilities
WAVES Performed by the Volunteers
80%
6.1. Introduction
70%
Se
De arc
ad h a
Bo nd
di Re
es c
ov
Ca
er
to rry
Am ing
bu W
la ou
nc nd
e ed
by
St Per
Su
re so
tc ns
to pp
he
l
Tr yin
r
ap g
pe Fo
d od
Vi /
cti Dr
m in
s kin
gW
Pr
at
Ot ovi
er
he din
rR g
es Foo
cu d
er to
s
Parcent
As a 60%
tropical country, Bangladesh has a moderate winter with an average winter temperature
of 10 50%
degree Celsius. However, in recent years, the country has been experiencing extreme
40%with a number of cold waves during the winter. This extreme weather condition adversely
weather
30%
affects
the agricultural sectors, all corners of environment, natural resources and society. The
20% in 2002 affected 50,000 people and killed 700 people, being the second highest
cold wave
record10%
of the world of that year. For the last few years, the country had experienced some severe
0%
cold waves
that killed many lives and caused serious damage. In January 2010, the country
experienced a rapid fall in temperature with cold winds, resulting significant rise in respiratory
illnesses and, in some cases, deaths. Similarly, in January 2011, the cold wave claimed 39 lives,
most victims being children and the elderly.
6.2: Cold wave in 2013
The cold of wave of 2013 is actually the continuation of the prolonged cold wave of December
2012. The cold wave had stricken the northern districts of Bangladesh since mid-December.
During the first week of January 2013, the cold situation was in worst condition affecting more than
20 districts notably the districts of Panchagarh, Thakurgaon, Dinajpur, Nilphamary, Lalmonirhat,
Rangpur, Kurigram, Gaibandha, Bogra, Joypurhat,
VolunteersNaogaon, Nawabganj, Rajshahi, Natore,
Sirajganj, Pabna, Mymensing in the north, Moulvibazar in the east and certain districts in the
south, namely Kushtia, Jessore, Faridpur and Madaripur.
Figure 6.1: Lowest Temperature Records 2013
Lowest Temparature Trend

10
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
20
13
01
18
,
,2
Ja
nu
ar
y
17
Ja
nu
ar
y
ar
nu
Ja
y
ar
nu
3
,2
16
,2
15
,2
Ja
y
ar
nu
01
3
01
3
01
14
,2
13
Ja
y
ar
nu
Ja
y
ar
nu
Ja
y
ar
nu
Ja
01
3
01
12
,2
11
10
y
ar
nu
Ja
,2
01
01
,2
20
9,
y
ar
nu
13
Ja
Temparature
Month
51
As per the reports received from various sources, more than 50 % of the populations in those
districts were affected and 80 people died, many of them were children. (AFP, Jan 10, 2013). The
number of pneumonia and diarrheal patients, mostly older population and children, continued to
increase due to the sweeping bone-chilling cold wave. The extreme cold and the lack of sunlight
also affected the natural growth of crops, including Boro (winter rice variety) seedlings. Because
of this cold wave, the livelihood and works of wage earners, daily laborers(i.e. rickshaw/van
pullers) and farmers were affected the most.
Map-6.1: Cold wave Areas
52
During the cold wave of 2013, that struck the northern districts, the temperature of Dinajpur drop
down to 3.2 degrees Celsius on January 9th, while in Dhaka, the temperature went down to 7.2
degrees Celsius. Bangladesh normally sees temperatures fall to around 10 degrees Celsius at
this time of year. On January 10, 2013, the minimum temperature recorded at in Saidpur was 3
degrees Celsius, which is the lowest in Bangladeshs post-independence history. Historically, the
lowest temperature was recorded in Bangladesh was in Srimangal and Moulvibazaar, and the
temperature was 2.8 degree Celsius on 4 February 1968 .
6.3. Response:
The Department of Disaster Management (DDM), Ministry of Disaster Management & Relief
and the Prime Ministers Office along with UNDP, national and international NGOs, Red Cross/
Red Crescent, and Dutch-Bangla Bank came forward with humanitarian aid to support the
victims. Those organizations distributed over 644,000 blankets to reduce the sufferings of cold
wave victims. In addition, BDT 51 million was allocated from the Government to the districts for
blankets. Responding to the formal request from the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief,
UNDP launched the cold wave response with the distribution of 58,700 blankets to the most
vulnerable households in the cold affected districts. Bangladesh Scouts, the largest volunteer
network in Bangladesh, distributed the blankets among the affected poor families in Panchagarh,
Thakurgoan, Nilphamari, Kurigram, Lalamonirhat, Natore, Pabna, Gaibandha, Rangpur, Bogra,
Joypurhat, Jessore, Sirajgonj, and Jamalpur districts.
Table 6.1: Division Wise Blanket Distribution
Shawl and Money Distribution
Blanket Distribution
Division
Total
Shawl
Dhaka
Government
97053
UNDP Others/ NGO

5000 31468
133521
5400
Chittagong
41309
0 300
41609
Money
13188221
7336162
Rajshahi
67895
26000 24920
118815
13300
7502200
Barishal
26032
0 84
26116
3300
4204294
Khulna
48461
5000 11025
64486
900
6256873
25016
2922671
Rangpur
Sylhet
109472
23386
22700 190156
0 1630
322328
8060697
Total
413608
58700 259583
731891
22900
49471118
Source: Situation Report, 18-010-2013, DMIC
Table 6.2: GoB Money Allocation to City Corporations for Blanket

Sl.
City Corporation
01
02
03
04
05
Dhaka North
Dhaka South
Chittagong
Rajshahi
Khulna
Allocated Money
(BDT)
1,95,000.00
1,95,000.00
1,90,000.00
1,85,000.00
1,80,000.00
Total:
Sl.
City Corporation
06
07
08
09
Barisal
Rangpur
Narayanganj
Comilla
Allocated Money (BDT)

1,70,000.00
1,80,000.00
1,50,000.00
1,20,000.00
15,65,000.00
Source: Situation Report, 18-010-2013, DMIC

53
CHAPTER 7 : RIVER BANK EROSION

7.1: Introduction
In Bangladesh, erosion is a regular and recurring phenomenon. Erosion of land surfaces,
riverbanks and coastal areas is already causing serious problems for the country. Among all
types of land erosion, riverbank erosion is a serious threat for Bangladesh. It is a process largely
controlled by the river dynamics. The disruption in the life of many local communities is cruel yet
common due to riverbank erosion and the changing course of rivers. During floods, riverbank
erosion becomes very acute and leads to loss of valuable lands. Equally, the coastal erosion is
a concern for the nation. High monsoon wind, waves, currents, strong tidal actions and storm
surges can be accounted for erosion in the coastal regions of Bangladesh.
7.2: River Bank Erosion in Bangladesh: Historical Perspectives

The GangesBrahmaputra-Meghna catchment covers about 1.65 million square km of which only
7.5 percent lies within the border of Bangladesh. There are about 310 rivers in Bangladesh. All
these rivers not only carries vast quantities of water, but also about 2.4 billion tons of sediment.
The sediment is being transported annually and responsible for the prevalence of flooding and
riverbank erosion in Bangladesh. The rivers of the country are so unstable that they may shift
laterally by more than 300 meters in any season. Among these rivers, erosion takes place in
2400 km bank lines of which 500 km have severe erosion.
River erosion is a serious natural disaster for Bangladesh. It takes place during monsoon river
spill and erodes the bank line during the retreating stage of flood. Rivers in Bangladesh migrate
60m to 1600/yr annually in Bangladesh by accretion and mostly by erosion.Out of 489 upazilas
of Bangladesh, 94 are subject to erosion of which 35 are severely affected. 5% of the national
territory is directly affected by erosion.Some important eroded places are Sirajgong, Aricha,
Mawa, Chandpur and Rangpur.
Riverbank erosion has become a common phenomenon not only along with the major and minor
rivers of mainland due to flat deltaictopography, but also along the coastal belt due to marine
dynamics. River bank erosion has been forcing people to migrate to new place, particularly to
urban centers including Dhaka city and such displacement exacerbates the socio-economic
conditions, both in the village and cities.
Major causes of riverbank erosion in Bangladesh are heavy siltation in the south-western part
and formation of new char-lands that diverts the flows to another direction. It has also been
accelerated due to deforestation along with the major river system that exposes the soil of
riverside to displacement.
54
Map-71: Location of River bank Erosion in Bangladesh
55
7.3: River bank Erosion in 2013

In Kurigram district, flood and riverbank erosion had been identified in the low laying areas of 13
unions of river side upazilas. 12,780 families had been affected due to flood and 2,193 families
had been affected due to riverbank erosion. About 100 families were displaced due to massive
erosion by Brahmaputra river at Rajibput of Kurigram district. A housing project of Tk 50 million
had gone under water due to massive erosion in this district. At Chilmari upazila of Kurigram
district, 77 houses disappeared in 72 hours due to excessive flow of the Brahmaputra. Due to
Dutkum arriver, 1.5 km road of Kaligonj union had been eroded. Families were displaced due to
erosion by Bangali river in Dhanut upazila of Bogra district.
In Mymensingh district, 300 families were displaced due to erosion of Bharmaputra river. At
Bhuapur of Tangail district, due to eastward migration of Jamuna river, erosions were noticed
about 15 km area along the riverside. 11 km embankment and road were lost in to the Jamuna
river. At Mirzapur upazila,the district buildings of Baratanagar High School was lost into the
Lohogong/Lauhajong river. Chauhali Upazila Porisad Bhaban of Sirajgonj district was lost into
the Jamuna river. At Sirajganj hard point, 100 meter blocks of town protection embankment
was washed away into the Jamuna river. At Daulatpur upazila of Manikganj, 200 families were
dislocated only in 3 days due to erosion by the Jamuna river.
Surma. Kushiyara and Sonairiver eroded crops and lands of 175 villages at Biyani Bazar. Feni
river eroded 100 settlement of 15 villages of Kompaniganj of Noakhali district. At Chadpur, 150
feet embankment of Water Development Board under sadar upazila was damaged; in line with
this, few cracks were also identified in Harina Ferighat. Because of sudden landfall, hundreds
of acres of land were displace at Kishorgang of Sonargoan upazila; illegal sand mining from the
riverbed was one of the major reasons for this. At Mawa Ferry ghat, jetty No-3 was relocated due
to erosion and 1 mosque, along with many houses, disappeared. 300 families were displaced
in Sibchar and Madripur upazila. In Rajbari district, 3000 families of 13 villages at Goalando
upazila lost their land and properties due to erosion of the River Padma. At Pangsha, upazila of
the district houses of 1500 families were lost into the Padma River.
About 1000 houses and 1500 hectors of agricultural lands were lost into the river Padma at
Daulatpur upazila of Kushtia district. At Iswardi of Pabna district,10 km road was eroded by the
Padma River. In Jhinaidah, 2km flood protection embankment disappeared into the river only in
15 days. In Dumuria upazila of Khulna district, two important roads were eroded due to migration
of river course. In Koira upazila, many victim families had to relocate due to riverbank erosion.
Due to illegal sand mining from Kittankhola river, a bridge at Barisal is under risk. In Jhalokati
district, people of 9 villages of Rajapur lost their livelihood due to massive erosion of Bishkhali
river. (DMIC Sept )
56
Figure 7.1: Month Wise Erosion in Different Upazilas-2013

District
Name
Upazila Name
Bogra
Shariakandi
Chittagong
Fatikchhari
June
July
August
September
October
Fulchhari
Gaibandha
Saghatta
Sundarganj
Jamalpur
Islampur
Jhalokati
Rajapur
Jhenaidah
Shailkupa
Khulna
Koyra
Kurigram
Nageshwari
Mymensingh
Mymensingh Sadar
Pabna
Ishwardi
Pirojpur
Kawkhali
Goalandaghat
Rajbari
Pangsha
Sirajganj
Chauhali
Tangail
Mirzapur
Figure 7.2: Upazila Wise Number of Affected Area-2013

Upazila wise Number of Affected Villages
Number of Affected Villages
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Villages
57
In 2013, 118 villages of 17 upazila in 14 districts were affected by riverbank erosion; excessive
flow of the river can be accounted for this. However, the illegal mining from the river beds also
accelerated the erosion in many other cases; among the affected upazilas, the highest numbers
of villages were affected in Nagaswri upazila of Kurigram district.
7.4: Loss and Damage

Due to paucity of reliable data, the estimation of loss and damage of river erosion in the year
of 2013 (table 7.1) has been prepared based on secondary sources such as newspaper and
published documents.
Table 7.2: Loss and Damages - 2013
Household Lost
Land Lost (Hector)
Road Damage (km)
Kurigram
District
7230
1.5
Mymensingh
300
15
11
Sirajgong
0.1
Manikgonj
200
Noakhili
100
0.15
Sylhet
Chandpur
175
Madaripur
300
Rajbari
4500
Kustia
1000
1500
Pabna
Total
10
13805
1515
22.75
Source: Annual Loss and Damage Report, Association of Land Reform and Development
Among the districts, Kurigram was the most worst affected district with an estimation of about
2370 affected families. However, in Rajbbari and Kustial district, the number of affected families
were quite high, estimated to be about 4500 and 1000 respectively. In 2013, about 2200 hectors
of farmland, 338 hectors of settlement land and about 23 km of roads and embankment was
eroded by different rivers.
58
CHAPTER 8 : FIRE
8.1. Introduction
From the inception of human society, the role of fire is very significant. As a source of energy,
fire has various uses in our everyday life from cooking to industrial activities. Fire is, as we know,
an important tool to human existence. However, if this fire becomes unmanageable, it turns into
a hazard and causes human suffering including death tolls. Urban areas are more vulnerable
to fire hazards because of involvement of huge population in economic, industrial and other
activities. Urban fire incident is increasing alarmingly in recent years. Due to rapid urbanization
and the absence of adequate safety measures in the city system, large cities of Bangladesh are
facing fire as a serious hazard.
Major causes of fire are electric short circuit, explosion of gas cylinder, kitchens fire, chemical
inflammable substances, mosquito coil, candle or small oil lamp and cigarette.
8.2: Fire in 2013

Fire is one of the most important manmade disasters in Bangladesh. Every year fire accidents
claims many lives and injure people. It is a major cause of huge damage and losses to properties.
Data from Civil Defense source (Fire Brigade) shows that in 2013, there were a total of 8,068
fire incidents throughout the country with a loss of TK 296.4 crore (Table 8.1). Most of the fire
incidents occurred in Dhaka and Chittagong cities. Data of FSCD that the number of death due
to fire hazard was 65 and 191 people were injured in 2013. Total loss from fire hazard in 2013
was about BDT 29.64 crores.
Table:-8.1: Fire Incident in 2013
Division
Dhaka
Number of Fire
Amount of
Loss (Tk)
Fire of
Multi
Stored
Building
Fire on
Garments
Industries
Died
Injured
2334
1753377000
86
56
34
52
Chittagong
1925
404080000
13
77
Rajshahi
1735
111849000
12
Khulna
1041
317356750
25
Sylhet
264
123161000
Barishal
317
134863608
20
Rangpur
Total
452
119833200
8068
2964520558
98
61
65
191
Source: Fire Service and Civil Defense, GoB
59
Map 8-1: Distribution of fire Incident-2013
60
Month
Figure 8-1: Month-Wise Fire Hazard-2013
Month wise Fire Occurrence
Number of Occurrence
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
National
Dhaka
Chittagong
Others
8.3: Fire in Garment Industries

Among all categories of fire, fire in garments industries the noticeable and frequent. In 2013,
there were at least 25 incidents of industrial fire, mostly in Gazipur and Ashulia. The schematic
description shows that on January 23, 2013, seven workers were killed and 15 others were
injured in a fire accident at a Smart Export Garment Ltd. located at Mohammedpur Beribadh. At
least 100 garment workers, mostly women, were injured in a stampede triggered by a fire scare
over a false fire alarm at Envoy Garments Ltd., at Ashulia on February 2 ,2013. On February
6, 2013, a worker was killed and two others were critically injured when a boiler exploded at a
garment factory in the Comilla Export Processing Zone. Seven people were killed in a fire that
swept through a sweater factory in the Kushtia District on May 8, 2013. At least 20 workers
were injured in a stampede during a fire that broke out in an apparel factory at Narasinghapur
of Ashuliaon May 23, 2013. At least 14 workers were injured when they ran down the stairs
to escape a fire in the sewing section of the garment factory on June 1, 2013 in Nasirabad,
Chittagong. At least 10 people were injured trying to escape a fire at a readymade garment
(RMG) factory in Savar outside Dhaka on August 11, 2013. 10 people were killed and 50 others
were injured in a fire occurrence at Gazipur on October 8, 2013. The fire originated around 6 p.m
and the blaze spread to a nearby chemical store and engulfed two floors, after which a boiler on
the ground floor exploded further feeding the flames. International media often gets cover news
on fire in garments industries in Bangladesh. An example of News published in the Gurdians, 13
December 2013 shown below.
61
Guardians: 13 December, 2013

Bangladesh factory fires: fashion industrys latest crisis
Nearly 800 people have been injured in scores of largely unreported fires in garment and
textile factories in Bangladesh the last 12 months, according to new figures compiled by
international labour campaigners.
The high numbers of casualties will raise concerns at the slow pace of change in the
politically unstable south Asian state, where more than 1,130 people died when a building
housing factories making garments for chains including Primark and Matalan collapsed in
April. The tragedy was the worst industrial accident anywhere in the world for a generation.
But activists in Bangladesh say fires pose as serious a threat as poor building construction.
Five months before the April collapse, 144 people had died in a fire in a factory making cloths
sold by global retailers such as Walmart, Sears and C&A among others.
Last month,10 dies in a textile mill blaze here are an estimated 5,000 garment factories in
Bangladesh, of which around two thirds are active. .
On November 25, at least 15 people were injured in a stampede as panicked workers
rushed to exit when a fire broke out at a factory outside Dhaka belonging to the Mondol
Group, which deals with western brands. .
Over the last 20 years of exponential growth of the garment factory, monitoring mechanisms
were not able to catch up to speed, said Srinivas Reddy, country director of the International
Labour Organisation.
A third initiative, involving the government of Bangladesh and the ILO, aims to fill the
gaps between the two industry initiatives with a new inspection regime run by government
engineers and technicians. The scale of the problem means reforms are bound to be slow,
Reddy, the ILO chief, believes. It is not going to change overnight, he said.
62
Table 8-2: Fire in Garments Industries-2013

Month
January
February
No of
factory
Location
Death
Injury
Damage
Chittagong Export
Processing Zone (CEPZ)
35
BSCIC Industrial Estate,

Fatullah, Narayanganj
50
Gazipur District
Mohammedpur, Beribadh
15
PurbaNarshinghapur, Ashulia
Narayanganj
Beron, Ashulia
Destroyed a large
amount of raw cot156
ton and damaged
machinery.
Kanchpur industrial area
Kabirpur, Ashulia
Comilla Export Proc. Zone
Surichala, Gazipur
Baroipara, Gazipur District
The fire destroyed

0 goods worth around
Tk 2 million,
Ashulia
Tk 15 million (1.50
crore)
Beximco Industrial Park,

Gazipur District
March
Chittagong Export
5 2.70 lakh Taka
April
Chittagong Export
Rajendrapur, Gazipur
Mirpur, Kushtia District
At least 20
Nasirabad, Chittagong
14
Gazirchat, Ashulia
10
Dhaka (DakkhinKamalapur)
The fire burned 1.5

0 lakh pairs of finished
shoes
May
June
July
Gazipur District
August
Savar
September
Dhaka (Nandipara, Madartek)
October
Gazipur District
10
50
Source: Fire Service and Civil Defense, GoB

63
CHAPTER 9 : EARTHQUAKES AND TSUNAMI

9.1. Introduction
Bangladesh, due to its location near to tectonically active plate boundaries, has long been one
of the seismically active regions of the world. The country has experienced numerous large
earthquakes during the past 200 years. Based on the available information, a seismic zoning map
of Bangladesh was proposed in 1979 by Geological Survey of Bangladesh (GSB). Compared
to many other seismically active nations, Bangladesh is more vulnerable to earthquake disaster
due to its socio-cultural causes rather than geological cause. The infrastructures of the country,
particularly in the urban areas, are not constructed considering earthquake hazard. Moreover,
our social awareness is on earthquake disaster is very poor.
9.2: Earthquakes in Bangladesh: Historical Context

The north and northeastern parts of Bangladesh are the most active seismic zonesand had
experienced earthquakes of moderate to high intensity in the past. The great earthquake of 1897
had its epicenter in the Shillong Plateau of India and caused widespread damage in adjacent
areas of what was then known as Bengal. Two other major earthquakes that caused severe
damage in areas adjacent to the epicenters were in 1885, known as the Bengal Earthquake and
in Srimangal in 1918. In addition, major earthquakes occurred in Bangladesh and surrounding
areas in the years 1833, 1897, 1906, 1918, 1923, 1926, 1927, 1930, 1934, 1939, 1941, 1943,
1947, 1950, 1951, 1954, 1957, 1962, 1965, and 1988 (Karmakar, 1989). Earthquakes with
magnitudes between 7.0 and 8.7 on the Richter scale has been experienced in this country, but
they are rare events.
Bangladesh is surrounded by the regions of high seismicity which includes the Himalayan Arc
and Shilong Plateau in the north, the Burmese Arc, ArakanYoma anticlinorium in the east and
complex Naga-Disang-Jaflong thrust zones in the northeast. It is also the site of the Dauki Fault
system along with numerous subsurface active faults and a flexure zone called Hinge Zone.
These weak regions are believed to provide the necessary zones for movements within the
basin area. In the tectonic map of Bangladesh, the distribution of epicenters are found to be
associated along the Dauki Fault system and random in other regions of Bangladesh.
The investigation of the map demonstrates that the epicenters are lying in the weak zones
comprising surface or subsurface faults. Most of the events are of moderate rank (magnitude
4-6) and lie at a shallow depth, which suggests that the recent movements occurred in the
sediments overlying the basement rocks.
During the last 300 years, seven major earthquakes (with>7) have affected
Bangladesh. Out of the ten major earthquakes, only two (1885, 1918 and 1997) had their
epicenters within Bangladesh border.
64
Map 9-1: Earthquake Zone
Table 9-1: Major Earthquakes in Bangladesh

Date
Name of Earthquake
Magnitude
Road Damage (km)
2 April, 1762
Arakan Earthquake
8.8
1.5
10 January, 1869
Cachar Earthquake
7.5
11
14 July, 1885
Bengal Earthquake
7.0
0.1
12 June, 1897
Great Indian Earthquake
8.7
8 July, 1918
Srimangal Earthquake
7.3
2 July, 1930
Dhubri Earthquake
7.1
0.15
15 January, 1934
Bihar-Nepal Earthquake
7.0
15 August, 1950
Assam Earthquake
8.5
21 November, 1997
Chittagong Earthquake
6.1
18 September,
2011
Sikkim Earthquake
6.9
10
1515
22.75
Total
13805
Source: Bangladesh Meteorological Department

65
9.3: Earthquake in 2013
Villages
BMD has recorded 16 earthquake tremors in 2013 with a magnitude ranging from 3.3 to 5.9 RS
in and around Bangladesh border areas. There were two incidents of magnitude higher than
5, but no noticeable damages were observed. 5earthquakes had magnitude above 4 RS. The
earthquake of January 9, 2013 had a magnitude of 5.9.RS and was felt throughout the country.
The epicenter was 495km away from Dhaka city, located near Bangladesh-Myanmar boarder
area. There were no reports of any casualties or damages.
Figure 9-1: Monthwise Earthquakes: 2013
Earthquake Frequency
4.5
4
Frequency
3.5
3
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
Month
Earthquakes are endogenic in origin and independent of seasonality. However, the graph shows
that highest frequency of was recorded in June, followed by January and December. The Map
shows that most of the epicenters were located in the eastern border area with India and closed
to Comilla city.
Number of Occurrence
Bangladesh is one of the most vulnerable countries of the world to earthquake hazard; it is not only
Month wise Fire Occurrence
due to its geographical location closer to the sesmically
active Indian-Burmies plate boundaries,
but also 12
for its poor infrastructure and complex social conditions. In Bangladesh, cities are more
vulnerable than the rular area due to poulation concentration and unplanned growth of the cities.
10geographical orientation, Dhaka, Chittagong, Sylhet, Mymensingh, Rangpur, Commilla
Due to its
and north-eastern
extended areas are under great threat to earthquake hazard.
8
66
6
4
2
0
Table 9.2: : Locations of Earthquake-2013Map

Date
Name of Location
Magnitude
01/03/13
Monipur Union, India
4.30
01/09/13
India Mayanmar Border
5.90
01/15/13
Myanmar
4.50
02/19/13
Dinajpur Border
4.50
02/27/13
Assam, India
3.80
03/02/13
Sylhet Border
5.40
06/01/13
South 24 Parganah
3.60
06/03/13
Bangladesh India Border
3.30
06/18/13
Tripura Border
3.50
06/20/13
Fulpur, Mymensingh Region
3.90
07/08/13
Brahmanbaria Border
4.40
08/11/13
Sylhet Region
3.50
09/04/13
India Bangladesh Border
3.40
12/07/13
Tripura Comilla Region
3.60
12/17/13
Bangladesh India Border
3.60
12/17/13
Tripura Comilla Region
4.20
Source: Bangladesh Meteorological Department
9.4: Tsunami in 2013

Tsunami is an earthquake generated wave that affects the coastal areas of any country. The lowlying coastal belt of Bangladesh is highly vulnerable to tsunami surge. However, in 2013, there
was an incident of tsunami warning or tsunami effects along the coastal belt of Bangladesh.
67
CHAPTER 10 : CONCLUSION
Like many other earlier years, Bangladesh have faced a number of disasters in 2013. However,
among those, three events were catastrophic in nature. The landfall of Mahasen on May 16,
2013 hit 8 coastal districts, but it was possible to keep loss and damages in a minimal level
due to prompt responses and effective and collaborative initiatives by concern organizations
and stakeholders. The Tornado that hit Brahmanbaria district was also handled very efficiently
by the DDM. The incident of Rana Plaza was a challenge to combat because Bangladesh did
not previous experiences of handling such a catastrophic building failure not and did not have
appropriate and adequate technology. However, the voluntarism to rescue the victims has given
Bangladesh another successful legendary of coping and fighting with the disaster. Bangladesh
is now a role model to manage disaster of any scale efficiently and effectively, be it natural or
manmade.
The overall economy of Bangladesh is tremendously impacted by natural disasters. Apart
from short-term consequence, the long-term impacts of those disasters are quite high. All the
planning efforts for development by Government are disrupted by these calamities that leave
behind damaged infrastructure facilities, physical assets and land. The human suffering goes
beyond description. However, the impact and suffering due to natural and manmade disaster not
only depends on their nature, type and scale of it, but also how different government and nongovernment organizations response to that disaster. Institutional strength ,technological knowhow and access to those technology play a significant role to successful disaster management.
For example, in 1991 and 1997, cyclones were of the same magnitude; but in 1991 cyclone,
approximately 138,882 people died compared to death toll in 1997 which numbered to134.
It was possible due to improved forecasting system, adequate warning dissemination, social
mobilization, proper coordination by the government and other institutional backup.
SOD is an important device aimed to inform the concerned persons understand their duties and
responsibilities regarding disaster management at all levels and accomplish them accordingly.
In 2012, the Government has adopted the Disaster Management Act2012 and, in accordance
with the Act, the Department of Disaster Management (DDM) was established in 2012. DDM,
since its formation, has been working to reduce the vulnerabilities due to different disaster
by undertaking risk reduction initiatives and coordinating disaster risk reduction program
undertaken by various government and non-government organizations. DDM is the focal point
of the Government of Bangladesh for disaster management. Besides, Bangladesh Space and
Remote Sensing Organization (SPARRSO) is also responsible for providing satellite images,
particularly as an aid to make the daily weather forecast. The example set by Bangladesh in
disaster management during the last two decades has provided the country a status of role
model of disaster management, particularly in areas of cyclones and flood management,to
global communities. The role of the government and non-governmental organizations during the
pre and post disaster periods helped reduce number of deaths and damage; furthermore, the
relentless efforts and initiatives put forward by these organizations has been appreciated and
recognized worldwide.
68
CHAPTER 11 : REFERENCES
Table
Number
Source
2.1
BWDB 2013
Annul Flood Report 2013, Flood Forecasting and Warning Center (FFWC) Bangladesh Water
Development Board
2.2
BWDB 2013
Annul Flood Report 2013 Flood Forecasting and Warning Center (FFWC) Bangladesh Water
Development Board
2.3
BWDB 2013
Annul Flood Report 2013 Flood Forecasting and Warning Center (FFWC) Bangladesh Water
Development Board
2.4
NIRAPOD, 2013
Full Reference
Situation Report 17 July 2013, Nirapod

Nizamuddin, K. 2001, Disaster In Bangladesh: Selected Reading, DRTMC; National Plan for
Disaster Management, Disaster Management Bauer (DMB), 2010 and www.wikipedia.org
*National Plan for Disaster Management, 2010-15, Disaster Management Bureau (DMB), Ministry of Food and Disaster Management, April 2010. Page 8
** Assessment Stockholders Role in Preparation for and Facing the Tropical Storm Mahasen,
Comprehensive Disaster Management Programme (CDMP II)
3.1
Nizamuddin, 2001, DMB 2010

and Wikipedia
3.2
DMIC 2013
Situation Report, 17 May 2013, Disaster Management Information Center (DMIC)
3.3
DMIC 2013
3.4
CDMP 2009
Report on Cyclone Shelter Information for Management of Tsunami and Cyclone Preparedness,
Ministry of Food and Disaster Management
3.5
DMIC 2013
4.1
CDMP 2013
The Aftermath of Tornado in Brahmanbaria: Brief Assessment Report
4.2
DMIC 2013
Situation Report, 02 April 2013, Disaster Management Information Center (DMIC)
4.3
DMIC 2013
Situation Report, 23 March 2013, Disaster Management Information Center (DMIC)
4.4
DMIC 2013
4.5
DMIC 2013
4.6
DMIC 2013
4.7
DMIC 2013
5.1
CDMP 2013
and DMIC 2013
5.2
CDMP 2013
Search and Rescue Role of Fire Service and Civil Defense and Urban community Volunteers in
Rana Plaza: A Rapid Assessment.
5.3
DMIC 2013
6.1
DMIC 2013
Situation Report, 18 October 2013, Disaster Management Information Center (DMIC)
6.2
DMIC 2013
Situation Report,18 October 2013, Disaster Management Information Center (DMIC)
7.1
Newspapers Cutting
8.1
Fire Bridged 2014
8.2
Newspaper Cutting;
and Solidarity Center 2013
ProthomAlo, Juganter, Ittafaq, KalerKantho, New Age, Daily Star;

and Solidarity Center Dhaka office,2013 Garments Factory Fire Incidents Since Tazneen Fashion
Factory Fire.
9.1
Ali and Choudhury 2001
Md. Hossain Ali and J. Reze Chaudhary; Assessment of Seismic Hazard In Bangladesh; in Nizamuddin K. (ed) Disasters in Bangladesh: Selected Reading DRTMC
9.2
BMD 2013
Search and Rescue Role of Fire Service and Civil Defense and Urban community Volunteers in
Rana Plaza: A Rapid Assessment;
and Situation Report on Building Collapses in Saver Dhaka 14 May 2013 DMIC
ProthomAlo, Juganter, Ittafaq, KalerKantho, New Age, Daily Star.

Record Book, 1 January 2014, Fire Bridged, Dhaka.
Data Sheet 2013, Bangladesh Metrology Department
Sidr ws 260 km/hour 15 nov2007 death 5447 tid sur 5 m

Aila ws 120
25 may 2009 death 330 tid surge 3 m
Moha 110/ph
16 may 2013 death 24 tid 3-4 m
69

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Department of Disaster Management

Disaster Report 2013

Disaster Management Bhaban, 92-93 Mohakhali C/A, Dhaka-1212, Bangladesh

Disaster Report 2013

Mohammed Abdul Wazed

Disaster Report 2013

: Bangladesh Red Crescent Society

: Border Guard Bangladesh

: Bangladesh Meteorology Department

: Bangladesh Water Development Board

: Comprehensive Disaster Management Program

: Cyclone Preparedness Program

: Department of Disaster Management

: Disaster Management Information Center

: Flood Forecasting and Warning Center

: General Officer Commanding

: International Federation of Red Crescent and Red Cross

: Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief

: National Disaster Responding Team

: Public Works Department

: Rapid Action Battalion

: Roads and Highways Department

: Standing Orders on Disaster

: Space Research and Remote Sensing Organization

: Union Disaster Management Committee

: Upazila Disaster Management Committee

: World Food Program

Disaster Report 2013

Chapter 3: Cyclone and Storm Surge

Foot note required

Disaster Report 2013

Chapter 4: Tornados and Nor-Wester

Chapter 5: Building Collapse

Chapter 6: Cold Wave

Chapter 7: River Bank Erosion

Disaster Report 2013

Chapter 9: Earthquake and Tsunami

Chapter 10: Other Disaster

Chapter 11: Conclusion

Disaster Report 2013

Disaster Report 2013

5.3. Collapse of Rana Plaza: The Tragedy of Garments Workers

Disaster Report 2013

Table 2.3: Basin Wise Monthly List of Station Crossing DL in 2013

Table 2.4: Loss and Damages Due to Flood of 2013

Table 3.1: Severe Cyclones Affecting Bangladesh since 1960

Table 3.2: Mahasen Affected Districts

Table 2.5: Response Initiatives from Agencies

Table 4.2: List of Tornadoes in 2013 and Damages

Table 4.3: Affected Areas by Brahmanbaria Tornado in 2013

Table 4.4: Damage Caused by Tornado of 22 March, 2013 at Brahmanbaria

Table 4.7: Shows the Supports Provided by BDRCS and IFRC

Table 5.1: Losses due to Collapse of Rana Plaza

Table 5.2: Responsibilities of the Volunteers

Table 5.3: Treatment Information of Injured People (Source: Health Dept.)

Table 6.1: Division Wise Blanket Distribution

Table 6.2: GoB Money Allocation to City Corporations for Blanket

Table 7.1: Loss and Damages-2013

Table 7.2: Loss and Damages - 2013

Table 8.1: Fire Incident in 2013

Table 8.2: Fire in Garments Industries-2013

Table 9.1: Major Earthquakes in Bangladesh

Table 9.2: Locations of Earthquake-2013