Tropical cyclones in Bangladesh: retrospective analysis of storm information, disaster statistics, and preparedness

Tropical cyclones (TCs) have historically had far-reaching impacts on livelihoods and vulnerable coastal communities in Bangladesh. Characterizing and understanding the complex and multifaceted nature of TCs is essential for identifying gaps and opportunities to enhance the effectiveness of disaster...

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Main Author: Md. Rezuanul Islam
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: IOP Publishing 2025-01-01
Series:Environmental Research Communications
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1088/2515-7620/ada239
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author Md. Rezuanul Islam
author_facet Md. Rezuanul Islam
author_sort Md. Rezuanul Islam
collection DOAJ
description Tropical cyclones (TCs) have historically had far-reaching impacts on livelihoods and vulnerable coastal communities in Bangladesh. Characterizing and understanding the complex and multifaceted nature of TCs is essential for identifying gaps and opportunities to enhance the effectiveness of disaster management practices. This study advances our understanding of TC dynamics in Bangladesh by conducting an integrated analysis of disaster statistics, preparedness measures, and meteorological variables for all landfalling TCs from 1979 to 2022. Our findings indicate that while the frequency of TCs, their meteorological characteristics (e.g., intensity), and related human health and economic impact trends at national scale have remained relatively constant, the spatial impact footprint induced by a single TC has increased. This rise can be attributed to increased coastal exposures including population and assets and improved reporting of smaller-scale disasters at the sub-national level. During 2000–2013, substantial funding shortfalls for addressing disaster risk were noted, with the country’s disaster management budget heavily dependent on humanitarian and foreign aid. Although there have been fewer fatalities in recent years due to improvements in soft measures, challenges remain, including deficiencies in implementing state-of-the-art impact-based early warning systems and limited disaster management funding, especially during years with major TC disaster events. These findings underscore the complex interplay between meteorological hazards, societal exposure, and vulnerabilities, highlighting the challenges of managing disaster risk in Bangladesh.
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spelling doaj-art-948e8485d31b4e0e9c3b455b74f320cc2025-01-07T05:40:52ZengIOP PublishingEnvironmental Research Communications2515-76202025-01-017101500310.1088/2515-7620/ada239Tropical cyclones in Bangladesh: retrospective analysis of storm information, disaster statistics, and preparednessMd. Rezuanul Islam0https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4934-8924Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Tokyo , Tokyo, 113-0033, JapanTropical cyclones (TCs) have historically had far-reaching impacts on livelihoods and vulnerable coastal communities in Bangladesh. Characterizing and understanding the complex and multifaceted nature of TCs is essential for identifying gaps and opportunities to enhance the effectiveness of disaster management practices. This study advances our understanding of TC dynamics in Bangladesh by conducting an integrated analysis of disaster statistics, preparedness measures, and meteorological variables for all landfalling TCs from 1979 to 2022. Our findings indicate that while the frequency of TCs, their meteorological characteristics (e.g., intensity), and related human health and economic impact trends at national scale have remained relatively constant, the spatial impact footprint induced by a single TC has increased. This rise can be attributed to increased coastal exposures including population and assets and improved reporting of smaller-scale disasters at the sub-national level. During 2000–2013, substantial funding shortfalls for addressing disaster risk were noted, with the country’s disaster management budget heavily dependent on humanitarian and foreign aid. Although there have been fewer fatalities in recent years due to improvements in soft measures, challenges remain, including deficiencies in implementing state-of-the-art impact-based early warning systems and limited disaster management funding, especially during years with major TC disaster events. These findings underscore the complex interplay between meteorological hazards, societal exposure, and vulnerabilities, highlighting the challenges of managing disaster risk in Bangladesh.https://doi.org/10.1088/2515-7620/ada239tropical cyclonedisaster impactearly warning systemdisaster preparednessdisaster riskBangladesh
spellingShingle Md. Rezuanul Islam
Tropical cyclones in Bangladesh: retrospective analysis of storm information, disaster statistics, and preparedness
Environmental Research Communications
tropical cyclone
disaster impact
early warning system
disaster preparedness
disaster risk
Bangladesh
title Tropical cyclones in Bangladesh: retrospective analysis of storm information, disaster statistics, and preparedness
title_full Tropical cyclones in Bangladesh: retrospective analysis of storm information, disaster statistics, and preparedness
title_fullStr Tropical cyclones in Bangladesh: retrospective analysis of storm information, disaster statistics, and preparedness
title_full_unstemmed Tropical cyclones in Bangladesh: retrospective analysis of storm information, disaster statistics, and preparedness
title_short Tropical cyclones in Bangladesh: retrospective analysis of storm information, disaster statistics, and preparedness
title_sort tropical cyclones in bangladesh retrospective analysis of storm information disaster statistics and preparedness
topic tropical cyclone
disaster impact
early warning system
disaster preparedness
disaster risk
Bangladesh
url https://doi.org/10.1088/2515-7620/ada239
work_keys_str_mv AT mdrezuanulislam tropicalcyclonesinbangladeshretrospectiveanalysisofstorminformationdisasterstatisticsandpreparedness