Abstract:
Bangladesh is one of the most cyclone affected countries. Over the last 50 years at
least 30 number of cyclone hit the country. Among them 1970, 1991 and cyclone Sidr
in 2007 are the severe ones. Cyclones have caused extensive damage to Bangladeshi
coast line again and again. One way of saving lives during cyclones is to take refuge
in safe shelters which are able to withstand the strong winds and storm surges. In
Bangladesh these are called cyclone shelters. Coastal zone of Bangladesh includes 19
southern districts with 147 upazilas, covering 47,201 sq. km that comprises 32% of
the total geographical area of the country. About 27% of the total population lives
within this coastal zone. There are a large number of people living in the area which is
cyclone and storm surge vulnerability along the western, central and south-eastern
coasts of Bangladesh. However, only 10% of the actual population in the cyclone
vulnerability area could be accommodated in existing safe shelters (excluding Subdistrict
headquarters buildings and others public and private building). Approximately
12.5 million people will be in need of shelter places in the three cyclone-prone zones
by the year 2021. Cyclone shelters are meant to provide shelter and reduce the
number of casualties in the coastal area during cyclone and tsunami.
After 1990 many cyclone shelters have been constructed in the coastal area by
unplanned way but these are quite insufficient to accommodate all the people in the
designated coastal area. In this study, the estimation of the numbers of additional
cyclone shelters were calculated to accommodate the total population living in the
selected study area of Kalapara and Galachipa upazila under Patuakhali district,
Noakhali Sadar and Companigonj upazila under Noakhali district and Ukhiya and
Teknaf upazila under Cox’s Bazar district. The proper locations of cyclone shelters
would also be helpful for easy access to cyclone shelter for local people without
destroying agricultural field and water bodies.
