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A Comprehensive Disaster Management A Comprehensive Disaster Management Plan for BangladeshPlan for Bangladesh

By

Dr. Md. S. I. Khan, D. Sc. Former Disaster Management PlannerUnited Nations

Dr. Md. Sabbir Mostafa Khan, Ph.D.Assistant Professor, Dept. of Water Resources Engineering, BUET

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Major hazards in Bangladeshz Floodz Tidal surges/Tsunamiz Cyclonez Droughtz Earthquakez Limited Land Area and Enormous

populationz Diversion of Bangladesh water by India

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Flood Aggravationz Simultaneous heavy rainfall in the catchment

areas of Ganges, Brambhaputra and Meghnaz Temperature rise and excessive rainfallz Landslide and debris flowz High tide twice a day in the Bay of Bengalz Strong monsoon windz Tsunami due to earthquakez Strong Al- Nino current

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Examples of some recent floods in Bangladesh

CauseEvent

Natural Manmade

1987 flood1987 flood . Heavy rainfall. Heavy rainfall. Deforestation. Deforestation. Huge melting of . Huge melting of

snowsnow3030

1988 flood1988 flood . Simultaneous Heavy . Simultaneous Heavy rainfallrainfall . Deforestation. Deforestation 1414

1998 flood1998 flood

. Simultaneous Heavy . Simultaneous Heavy rainfallrainfall

. Tsunami. Tsunami

. Al. Al--NinoNino

. Deforestation. Deforestation 7070

2004 flood2004 flood . Heavy rainfall. Heavy rainfall. Landslide dam. Landslide dam. Deforestation. Deforestation. Debris flow. Debris flow 2121

Durationdays

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Tidal Surge/Tsunamiz In 1998 tsunami caused by earthquake

near Andaman Islands in Bay of Bengal prolonged flood duration in Bangladesh

z 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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Cyclone1970 Cyclonez Storm surge height = 8mz People killed = 500,000z Livestock perished: More than a millionz Fishing boats destroyed: More than 60%1991 Cyclonez Storm surge height = 6mz People killed = 140,000z Livestock perished: More than a millionz Many Fishing boats destroyed

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Diversion of Bangladesh Water by India54 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 FlowNormal flood and river flow are essential

-To push back tidal sea water that enters inland-To recharge groundwater which depletes 5 m/year

z Recharge takes placeBy normal flooding = 4 metreBy local rainfall = 1 metre

z Production of Aman paddy which is 20% of total ricez For maintaining fish habitat, bio-diversity, navigationz Supplying water for drinking household use, etc.

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Indian Projects for Water Diversionz India has already diverted water of 34 cross-

border rivers of 54 riversz By Farakka Barrage and Inter Basin River

Linking Project India plans to divert all Ganges water both during rainy and dry seasons

z India plans to construct a dam near Dhubri in Assam to divert all Brahmaputra water under Inter Basin River Linking Project

z India has started construction of a dam at Tipaimukh upstream of Meghna river in India which will cut off major flow of the Meghnariver

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Indian Projects (Continued).....As a result of diversion of water by Indiaz Sea water will enter deep inside

Bangladesh and gradually turn Bangladesh into desert due to salinity effect

z Surface and groundwater will not be available for drinking, household use, irrigation, fisheries, livestock, industrial use and for other purposes

z Vegetation, bio-diversity, environment and ecological balance will be destroyed

z Natural fish habitat will be destroyed z 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 Frontz 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)z 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.

z UN Charter, Helsinki Convention and other International laws must be honoured

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Disaster Management Plan (continued)Within Bangladesh/Domestic Frontz Quick Drainage of Flood Water: Roads,

railways, habitations and other infrastructures should not obstruct free flow of flood water.

z 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.

z 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 z Capital Dhaka is to be provided full

protection by immediately constructing embankment along eastern periphery.

z All big industrial areas are to be protected.z Airports are to be protected z All highways and roads connecting districts

with Upazila are to be raised above HFLz All railways are to be raised above HFLz Power substation, water supply facilities

godowns, etc are to protectedz Community participation and local initiative

are vital

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Disaster Management Plan (continued)Protection of Major Cities (continued)z 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.

z 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

z 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)

Damagedzz Roads: 16,135 kmRoads: 16,135 kmzz Bridges: 21,691 meterBridges: 21,691 meterzz Growth Growth CentresCentres: 231 : 231 NosNoszz Primary Schools: 17,686 Primary Schools: 17,686 NosNoszz Cross Dam: 301.22 kmCross Dam: 301.22 kmzz Total cost of Damage = Total cost of Damage = TkTk 2000 2000 crorecrorezz Estimated Time of repair = 3 yearsEstimated Time of repair = 3 years

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Disaster Management Plan (continued)Disaster Management for Rural Areasz Flood level markers are to be established. At

least one Upazila may be selected as pilot scheme for installing flood markers.

z Growth Centres are to be raised above HFL.z Rural industries, artisans, livestock, poultry,

pond fisheries, etc should be safe against flooding.

z Ensure safe drinking water.z Control spread of disease and epidemic.z Schools to be expanded upwards.z 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.)

z In the flood plain vulnerable clustered homesteads are to be protected by constructing ring bundhs.

z To protect against wind storm rural houses are to be strengthened by prefabricated RCC pillars and wooden bracings.

z Resiliency of poor people should be increased by increasing their income and improving standard of living through massive poverty alleviation programmes.

z 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 Problemsz High tide twice a day retards flood water

drainage.z Tsunami may cause widespread

devastation and may also block flood water drainage.

z Al-Nino tidal surge blocks river discharge.z Global warming raises sea water level.

One metre rise will inundate 16% of total area of Bangladesh affecting about 20 million people.

z Cyclonic surge causes tremendous loss of lives and properties.

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Sea Front OpportunityBay Cross DamA dam constructed from Coxs Bazar to Patuakhali

across Bay of Bengal will have following benefits.z Protect against cyclonic surgez Protect against tsunami and tidal surge z Protect against sea level rise due to global

warmingz Retain water in river network during dry seasonz Prevent sea water salinity intrusionz 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 Planz Preparation of Project Concept Paper (PCP)z Establishment of Bay Cross Dam Authorityz Feasibility Study Preliminary z Model Studyz Mathematical Modelz Physical Model

z Geo technical, tidal hydraulics and other investigations

z Environmental impact assessment z Seminar with participation of international

expertsz Feasibility Study final

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Sea Front Opportunity (continued)Bay Cross Dam Project Realization Plan (continued)

z Project Implementationz Phase I (Lower 12m)z Phase II (Upper 12m)

z Lining up financial supportz Construction of phase Iz Monitoring and evaluationz Updating of feasibility study z Prepare construction plan for phase II z Construction of phase IIz Monitoring, evaluation and follow-up activitiesz Operation and maintenance.

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Sea Front Opportunity (continued)

Vital Statistics of Bay Cross Dam

z Length =100 miles (160 km)z Height = 24 mz Sea depth = 20 mz Main construction material = Bouldersz Period of Implementation = 30 yearsz Land Reclamation = 25,000 sq. km

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ConclusionzDMB 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)

zCyclone 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)z In addition to Cyclone Shelters

Government may provide interest free house building loans to private families for constructing houses of 2 to 3 stories.

z Abnormal or high flood may occur once may occur once in 10 years and the country and people in 10 years and the country and people should be prepared to face it. This does should be prepared to face it. This does not mean that all our flood water is to not mean that all our flood water is to be diverted elsewhere and Bangladesh be diverted elsewhere and Bangladesh is to be turned into a desert.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:zPushing back saline water into the sea.zRecharging of groundwater and thereby

ensuring production of HYV rice during dry season by tube-well irrigation.zSupplying water for drinking and

household use.zSupplying water for industrial use.

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Conclusion (continued)Reasons (continued)zSupplying water for pond fisheries.zPreventing subsidence of low lying

deltaic plain of Bangladesh.zSustaining Aman paddy production.zMaintaining natural spawning grounds

and fish habitats.zMaintaining bio-diversity, sustainable

environment and ecological balance.zPoverty alleviation and improving

quality of life.

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Conclusion (continued)z 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.

z 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

A Comprehensive Disaster Management Plan for BangladeshMajor hazards in BangladeshFlood AggravationExamples of some recent floods in BangladeshTidal Surge/TsunamiCycloneDiversion of Bangladesh Water by IndiaNormal Flood and River FlowIndian Projects for Water DiversionIndian Projects (Continued).....Fronts of Disaster Management PlanDisaster Management PlanDisaster Management Plan (Continued)Disaster Management Plan (continued)Disaster Management Plan (continued)Disaster Management Plan (continued)Damage of LGED Rural Infrastructures by 2004 FloodDisaster Management Plan (continued)Flood Level MarkerDisaster Mment for Rural Areas (contd.)Coastal Belt/Sea Front ProblemsSea Front OpportunitySea Front Opportunity (continued)Sea Front Opportunity (continued) Sea Front Opportunity (continued)ConclusionConclusion (continued)Conclusion (continued)Conclusion (continued)Conclusion (continued)Conclusion (continued)