Disasters in Bangladesh: Mitigation and Management
Barisal University Journal Part 1, 4(1):139-163 (2017) ISSN 2411-247X DISASTERS IN BANGLADESH: MITIGATION AND MANAGEMENT M Hasinur Rahman1*, Md. Sadequr Rahman2 and M Mostafizur Rahman3 1Department of Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of Barisal, Barisal 8200 Bangladesh 2Department of Sociology, University of Barisal, Barisal 8200, Bangladesh 3Boishakhi Media Limited, Mohakhali, Dhaka, Bangladesh Abstract This paper examines the nature, intensity, vulnerability and consequences of various types of disasters and also explores the trends of different types of disasters viz. cyclone, flood, tornados and nor‟-wester, earthquakes, landslides, riverbank erosion, drought, famine, fire, building collapse etc. In this study qualitative research methodology was used and content analysis and historical method were employed as method of data collection. It reveals that the cyclone of 1876, 1919, 1961, 1963, 1965, 1970, 1985, 1988, 1991, 2007 and 2009 were severe in nature. From 1970 to 1998, there were 38 severe devastative cyclones in the context of destruction and loss of lives or economy. Among them the cyclone of 1970 are the worst and remarkable for the causes of death and the lowest death is included in the cyclone of 2015 during the last 55 years. The most remarkable or catastrophic floods in recent years in Bangladesh that occurred in 1954, 1955, 1974, 1984, 1987, 1988, 1993, 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2007 have been very destructive and caused serious threat to lives and/or economy. The tornadoes of 1969, 1974, 1977 and 1989 are noteworthy. Droughts occurred in Bangladesh 24 times between 1949 and 1991. Very severe droughts hit the country in 1951, 1957, 1958, 1961, 1972, 1975, 1979, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1989 and 1995.
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