A Comprehensive Disaster Management Plan for Bangladesh

By

Dr. Md. S. I. Khan, D. Sc.

Former Disaster Management Planner United Nations

Dr. Md. Sabbir Mostafa Khan, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Dept. of Water Resources Engineering, BUET

Major hazards in Bangladesh

Flood Tidal surges/Tsunami Cyclone Drought Earthquake Limited Land Area and Enormous population Diversion of Bangladesh water by India

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Flood Aggravation

Simultaneous heavy rainfall in the catchment areas of Ganges, Brambhaputra and Meghna Temperature rise and excessive rainfall Landslide and debris flow High tide twice a day in the Bay of Bengal Strong monsoon wind Tsunami due to earthquake Strong Al- Nino current
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Examples of some recent floods in Bangladesh

Cause Event Natural Manmade . Deforestation . Huge melting of snow . Deforestation Duration days

1987 flood . Heavy rainfall . Simultaneous Heavy rainfall

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1988 flood

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. Simultaneous Heavy rainfall 1998 flood . Tsunami . Al-Nino 2004 flood . Heavy rainfall . Landslide dam

. Deforestation

70

. Deforestation . Debris flow

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Tidal Surge/Tsunami
In 1998 tsunami caused by earthquake near Andaman Islands in Bay of Bengal prolonged flood duration in Bangladesh December 2004 tsunami near Sumatra traveled in east-west direction and as such Bangladesh escaped major disaster. Had the tsunami traveled in the north direction there would have been catastrophe in Bangladesh.

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Cyclone
1970 Cyclone Storm surge height = 8m People killed = 500,000 Livestock perished: More than a million Fishing boats destroyed: More than 60% 1991 Cyclone Storm surge height = 6m People killed = 140,000 Livestock perished: More than a million Many Fishing boats destroyed

Diversion of Bangladesh Water by India 54 cross border rivers carry water to Bangladesh from China, Nepal, Bhutan and India Out of total surface water in Bangladesh - Brahmaputra contributes = 51 % - Ganges contributes = 28 % - Meghna contributes = 14% 93% = 93% Rainfall within Bangladesh contributes = 7 % 100%
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Normal Flood and River Flow

Normal flood and river flow are essential -To push back tidal sea water that enters inland -To recharge groundwater which depletes 5 m/year

Recharge takes place By normal flooding = 4 metre By local rainfall = 1 metre Production of Aman paddy which is 20% of total rice For maintaining fish habitat, bio-diversity, navigation Supplying water for drinking household use, etc.
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Indian Projects for Water Diversion

India has already diverted water of 34 crossborder rivers of 54 rivers By Farakka Barrage and Inter Basin River Linking Project India plans to divert all Ganges water both during rainy and dry seasons India plans to construct a dam near Dhubri in Assam to divert all Brahmaputra water under Inter Basin River Linking Project India has started construction of a dam at Tipaimukh upstream of Meghna river in India which will cut off major flow of the Meghna river

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Indian Projects (Continued)..... As a result of diversion of water by India Sea water will enter deep inside Bangladesh and gradually turn Bangladesh into desert due to salinity effect Surface and groundwater will not be available for drinking, household use, irrigation, fisheries, livestock, industrial use and for other purposes Vegetation, bio-diversity, environment and ecological balance will be destroyed Natural fish habitat will be destroyed Plunge entire nation into poverty, hunger.
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Fronts of Disaster Management Plan

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Disaster Management Plan Following Disaster Management Plan is proposed for Bangladesh in the following 3 fronts 1. Outside Bangladesh/Himalayan Front There should be regional cooperation between all riparian countries namely China, Nepal, Bhutan, India and Bangladesh. There should be political agreement first. Reservoirs can be created in The Himalayas to store excess flood water and release it during drought.
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Disaster Management Plan (Continued)

Water may be shared among all riparian countries by signing a treaty in spirit of regional cooperation. Indus Basin Treaty between India and Pakistan, Mekong River Commission, Danube river water sharing project among 11 European countries may be taken as examples. UN Charter, Helsinki Convention and other International laws must be honoured
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Disaster Management Plan (continued)

Within Bangladesh/Domestic Front Quick Drainage of Flood Water: Roads, railways, habitations and other infrastructures should not obstruct free flow of flood water. Integrated Flood Drainage Channel: To facilitate drainage of flood water an integrated channel network is to be developed by deepening the rivers. Dredging, explosives and river training works may be used. This will require both mathematical and physical model study. BUET and RRI can work jointly.
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Disaster Management Plan (continued)

Protection of Major Cities and Vital Facilities Capital Dhaka is to be provided full protection by immediately constructing embankment along eastern periphery. All big industrial areas are to be protected. Airports are to be protected All highways and roads connecting districts with Upazila are to be raised above HFL All railways are to be raised above HFL Power substation, water supply facilities godowns, etc are to protected Community participation and local initiative are vital

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Disaster Management Plan (continued)

Protection of Major Cities (continued)

Flood markers showing the highest flood level (HFL) are to be installed for using as reference points for development. One ward may be selected as pilot scheme and flood markers installed by DMB and BWDB. For protection against earthquake hazard all buildings and structures to be constructed strong as per codes. Sufficient open space is to be provided in each locality Action Plans for Emergency Preparedness and Emergency Response are to be prepared for each ward with community participation. To start with a flood prone ward can be selected as a model for such purpose.

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Damage of LGED Rural Infrastructures by 2004 Flood

(Reference: The Bangladesh Observer, 10 August 2004)

Damaged Roads: 16,135 km Bridges: 21,691 meter Growth Centres: 231 Nos Primary Schools: 17,686 Nos Cross Dam: 301.22 km Total cost of Damage = Tk 2000 crore Estimated Time of repair = 3 years
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Disaster Management Plan (continued) Disaster Management for Rural Areas

Flood level markers are to be established. At least one Upazila may be selected as pilot scheme for installing flood markers. Growth Centres are to be raised above HFL. Rural industries, artisans, livestock, poultry, pond fisheries, etc should be safe against flooding. Ensure safe drinking water. Control spread of disease and epidemic. Schools to be expanded upwards. Road connecting UP Office with Upazila should be raised above HFL to ensure movement of people and goods throughout the year

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Flood Level Marker

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Disaster Mment for Rural Areas (contd.)

In the flood plain vulnerable clustered homesteads are to be protected by constructing ring bundhs. To protect against wind storm rural houses are to be strengthened by prefabricated RCC pillars and wooden bracings. Resiliency of poor people should be increased by increasing their income and improving standard of living through massive poverty alleviation programmes. Develop appropriate Coping Mechanism through local initiative as local community should be the first to attend disaster victims.
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Coastal Belt/Sea Front Problems

High tide twice a day retards flood water drainage. Tsunami may cause widespread devastation and may also block flood water drainage. Al-Nino tidal surge blocks river discharge. Global warming raises sea water level. One metre rise will inundate 16% of total area of Bangladesh affecting about 20 million people. Cyclonic surge causes tremendous loss of lives and properties.

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Sea Front Opportunity Bay Cross Dam

A dam constructed from Coxs Bazar to Patuakhali across Bay of Bengal will have following benefits. Protect against cyclonic surge Protect against tsunami and tidal surge Protect against sea level rise due to global warming Retain water in river network during dry season Prevent sea water salinity intrusion The rivers in Bangladesh carry about 2 billion tons of sediment every year which will be trapped by Bay Cross Dam and 25000 sq km land will be reclaimed in 30 years time.
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Sea Front Opportunity (continued)

Bay Cross Dam Project Realization Plan Preparation of Project Concept Paper (PCP) Establishment of Bay Cross Dam Authority Feasibility Study Preliminary Model Study

Mathematical Model Physical Model

Geo technical, tidal hydraulics and other investigations Environmental impact assessment Seminar with participation of international experts Feasibility Study final

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Sea Front Opportunity (continued)

Bay Cross Dam Project Realization Plan (continued)

Project Implementation Phase I (Lower 12m) Phase II (Upper 12m) Lining up financial support Construction of phase I Monitoring and evaluation Updating of feasibility study Prepare construction plan for phase II Construction of phase II Monitoring, evaluation and follow-up activities Operation and maintenance.
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Sea Front Opportunity (continued) Vital Statistics of Bay Cross Dam Length =100 miles (160 km) Height = 24 m Sea depth = 20 m Main construction material = Boulders Period of Implementation = 30 years Land Reclamation = 25,000 sq. km

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Conclusion
DMB

has produced excellent Disaster Management guidelines. If these guidelines are followed loss of lives and properties can be greatly reduced. But DMB has only one office which is located in Dhaka. DMB should open offices in all disaster prone Upazilas to accelerate the implementation of all disaster management initiatives.
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Conclusion (continued)
Cyclone

Preparedness Programme (CPP) prepared by Bangladesh Red Crescent Society includes dissemination of cyclone warning, evacuating people to the shelters, services to the injured and post disaster rehabilitation, etc. Role of GOB and DMB in CPP is to be clearly specified.
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Conclusion (continued)

In addition to Cyclone Shelters Government may provide interest free house building loans to private families for constructing houses of 2 to 3 stories. Abnormal or high flood may occur once in 10 years and the country and people should be prepared to face it. This does not mean that all our flood water is to be diverted elsewhere and Bangladesh is to be turned into a desert.

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Conclusion (continued)
Normal flooding which inundates about 20% of total area of Bangladesh is essential for the following reasons: Pushing back saline water into the sea. Recharging of groundwater and thereby ensuring production of HYV rice during dry season by tube-well irrigation. Supplying water for drinking and household use. Supplying water for industrial use.
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Conclusion (continued)
Reasons (continued)
Supplying

water for pond fisheries. Preventing subsidence of low lying deltaic plain of Bangladesh. Sustaining Aman paddy production. Maintaining natural spawning grounds and fish habitats. Maintaining bio-diversity, sustainable environment and ecological balance. Poverty alleviation and improving quality of life.
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Conclusion (continued)
Disaster Management Plan and specially Emergency Preparedness and Emergency Response should be included in the school curricula to prepare our future generations to face disaster. For the long term survival of Bangladesh immediate steps should be taken for realization of Bay Cross Dam Project. At present it may appear like a dream project, but some day this dream must come true.

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Thank You

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