The International Day for Disaster Reduction was observed across the country on Saturday, stressing the need for creating awareness and ensuring active participation of the people of all strata alongside the government and non-government organisations in all programmes to reduce disaster risks.  The theme of the day this year was “Reducing Economics Losses”. Marking the day, a discussion was held at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the capital.

Bangladesh may have to face dire situations in the coming days due to its geographical location and climate change. Bangladesh is experiencing frequent natural disasters. Devastating tropical cyclones followed by tidal surges claimed millions of lives in the country over the past few years. People living in the coastal areas bore the brunt of the natural disasters.

The harrowing cyclone that hit Bhola district in the erstwhile East Pakistan in November 1970 killed at least five lakh people. It was followed by several other cyclones and tidal surges in the country. It is heartening that due to proper weather forecasting, publicity, public awareness, adequate preparedness, evacuation and rescue operations casualty due to natural calamities has been minimized substantially.  

Since the emergence of Bangladesh successive governments have taken up adequate measures to minimize loss of lives and properties due to natural calamities in the coastal areas. A number of cyclone shelters-cum-schools have been constructed in various coastal areas of the country. In times of calamity people can take shelter in these cyclone shelters.  More cyclone shelters with stronger foundations should be set up in the coastal areas to address the needs more promptly.

The country’s vulnerability to earthquake is a matter of grave concern. God forbid, if a tremor strikes the country, the capital city, will be the worst affected. The government should be adequately prepared for facing such a disaster. There should be adequate budgetary allocation for purchasing equipments. There should be trained people to operate those equipments properly. Striking of thunderbolt has become another menace that the country is confronting now. Many people have already been perished by this menace recently.

Almost every year flash flood inundates several villages, damaging dwelling houses and standing crops. This occurs mainly due to absence of repair of flood control embankments. Repair and reconstruction of these embankments should be taken up on an emergency basis. Measures should also be taken to check intrusion of saline water that is an enormous threat to coastal forestry.

What is needed is coordination among various ministries and departments to face disasters. Emphasis should be laid on training. There is no alternative to preparing disaster management-trained manpower. New technology will have to be evolved to survive the negative impact of climate change.