Study on identification of factors responsible for non-designated use of multipurpose cyclone shelter in Kalapara Upazilla

Abstract

Bangladesh, a low-lying delta nation at the foot of the Himalayas, is prone to many natural disasters, especially floods and windstorms – including tornadoes and cyclones (Jamal, 2001). Cyclone is a tropical storm or atmospheric turbulence involving circular motion of winds, occurs in Bangladesh almost every year. About one tenth of the global tropical cyclone occurs in the Bay of Bengal. About one sixth of tropical cyclones developed in the Bay of Bengal had landfall on the Bangladesh coast (BUET and BIDS, 1993). The cyclone accompanied with torrential rain and devastating tidal surge causes havoc to lives and properties in the cyclone path, and the environment in the affected area (Mahmood et al., 1994).

From 1960-61, government and non-government organization of Bangladesh constructed many Multi-purpose Cyclone Shelter (MPCS) in the coastal region. Objectives of the construction of multi-purpose cyclone shelter in coastal region is to provide shelter and to reduce disaster risks for their lives and properties during emergency period and to increase institutional facilities for community people during normal time. However there are reports in media that there are misuses of the multi-purpose cyclone shelters. In this background, the study has been undertaken to find out if there is misuse of the MPCS and the factors behind the misuses. Considering the resource constraint, a coastal Upazilla (Kalapara of Patuakhali district) was chosen as the study area.

The research used physical survey, questionnaire survey, key informant interview and focus group discussion to identify the existing use of MPCS against the designed use and to find out the factors which encourage use other than the designated use both during cyclone and off-cyclone period. It was found though all the MPCS are in use as cyclone shelter during cyclone period; only 14 out of 105 are in designated use during non-cyclone period. There are many factors behind the non-designed use of MPCS during off -cyclone period. These factors could be classified in six categories like geographical, design, social, economical, institutional, and political. In conclusion it could be said that measures including institutional management have to take to ensure that MPCS are in use during and off-cyclone period.