Assessment for need for additional Cyclone Shelters in some selected Coastal Zone of Bangladesh

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.