Bangladesh is an LEDC …

In Asia the TROPICAL REVOLVING STORMS are called cyclones

USA is an MEDC

In the Americas TROPICAL REVOLVING STORMS are called hurricanes

Are the impacts of storms different on MEDCs and LEDCs?

The 6 metre storm surge in 1991 cyclone was catastrophic * 240 km/hr wind speed* low pressure* especially high tide.

* Due to the low elevation in many parts of Bangladesh, the storm surge was able to travel very far inland and cause much greater damage.

Chittagong

• In 1970, 300,000 people died in a cyclone

• 1988 cyclone Death toll over 2,000

• cyclone 1991 an estimated 140,000 deaths.

• Floods and cyclones continue to plague the country.

the April 1991 cyclone in the Chittagong area:

• Casualty figures in several of the villages near the coast were c. 70% of the population.

• In a belt at away from the coast the casualty rate 30-35%.

• The casualty rates for the different population categories were as follows: Children: 50%, Women: 25%. Elderly: 15% and Men: 10%

1991 cyclone left as many as 10 million homeless

The storm caused an estimated 1.5 billion dollars in damage

These people told us that if a big cyclone hit here, every one of them would be dead. Their homes were too flimsy to protect them.

Farm crops destroyed

Fishing boats sunk and prawn stocks damaged.

Aquaculture for prawns is a booming business. They are raised in artificial pools to which chemical feed and fungicide is added!

The death toll is high in the fishing boats.

Cyclone Mitigation

Satellites spot the cyclone developing –

Weather forecasters broadcast warnings.

Broadcasts are heard by someone in the village … most people don’t have radios.

Saleha Begum holding a radio. Radios are used to warn people of flooding. It is one of the elements of the disaster preparedness programme (Oxfam)

There are many steps that people can take that will leave them prepared for when a cyclone hits. Everyone should develop a family plan, create a disaster kit, have a place to go, and secure your home.

1. Transistor Radio

2. Torch Light

3. Megaphone

4. Hand Siren

5. Life Jacket

6. Rain coat

7. Gum boot

8. Hard hat

9. PA System

10. First aid kit

11. Rescue kit

Try to get the warning out to people in remoter villages.

In 1992, the OISCA Mangrove Planting Project started. It was a difficult task - a path of trials and errors

The mangrove trees break the force of the winds and the waves and so protect inland areas. They also trap soil and help to build the land out to sea giving protection.

A cyclone wall serves as a protection from a storm surge, as well as a quick evacuation route in a cyclone. There is a need for community and government contribution towards the costs.

Cyclone Shelters Ever since the 1991 cyclone catastrophe, numerous cyclone shelters have been built to provide a safe have for local people..

These buildings are built at a height of 7 meters above ground and are made to withstand a potential storm surge.

After the 1991 cyclone agencies constructed some of cyclone Shelters. The total quantity of cyclone shelter in the coastal area is now more than 1800, which are less than the need. Each can accommodate 1000 people.

In normal weatherr they can be used as school rooms. They can also help to educate Muslim women. Disaster Preparedness Education is important.

The local cyclone shelter. The only thing likely to be left standing in a big cyclone. Oxfam helps build them. The only problem is, 15,000 villagers live here and the shelter only takes 400.