Cyclones in The USA and Bangladesh - Case Study

When cyclone aila strike Bangladesh?

25th Many 2009

What was the rainfall like during cyclone aila?

120mm of rain in a few hours

What was the wind like during cyclone aila?

270km/h

What was bangladesh at risk during cyclone aila?

• it was a low lying country

• 80% of its land is less than 10 m above sea level

• Many large rivers that can overflow onto flood plains during periods of high rainfall

What were some of the socio-economic impacts of Cyclone Aila on Bangladesh?

• 190 deaths

• 750,000 made homeless

• 3.5 million affected overall

• Nearly 60,000 animals killed

• Flooding caused by a large storm surge which raised the sea levels by 3 meters

• Over half of flooding embankments destroyed in Southern Bangladesh

What were some preparations and responses in Bangladesh to cyclone aila?

• Weather forecasting and satellite technology

• Warning and Evac strategies

• Storm surge defences

Explain the weather forecasting and satellite technology used in Bangladesh for cyclone aila?

• The Bangladesh Meteorological department (BMD) uses forecasting technology to predict and track tropical cyclones.

• Weather radars placed around the country to track weather patterns

• Satellite imagery is purchased from the US, China and Japan

• in 2018, Bangladesh’s first satellite, Bangabandhu Satellite-1, was sent into Earth’s orbit. It was a $280 million project. It made satellite imagery more accessible to Bangladesh, which can support the country’s preparedness to future tropical cyclones

• BMD communicates their forecasts to multiple sectors, including television and radio stations, airport, the prime minister and air force.

Explain the warning and evac strategies used in Bangladesh for cyclone aila?

• Many communities have little to no access to tv, internet or radio and are therefore left vulnerable to tropical cyclones - and do not receive warnings.

• Bangladesh’s government has developed an early warning system which targets vulnerable coastal communities through awareness campaigns

• 45,000 cyclone warning volunteers now work in threatened areas around Bangladesh.

• 3,500 cyclone shelters have been constructed in Bangladesh following Cyclone Bhola in 1970 - the building can also function as schools and other public building so they aren’t left empty for majority of the year.

Explain the storm surges defences used in Bangladesh for cyclone aila?

• Embankments have been built to protect some areas from flooding, although this has been limited to main roads and areas that need to be protected.

• World Bank provided $400 million to upgrade Bangladesh’s embankment defence systems

When is hurricane season in the US?

Between july and october

What are some preparation and responses to cyclone in the USA

• Weather forecasting and satellite technology

• Warning and Evac strategies

• Storm surge defences

Explain the USA’s weather forecasting and satellite technology

• Very effective in tracking the formation and movement of tropical cyclones

• Over 20 weather satellites operate every day over the US and Atlantic Ocean, gathering information about the location and intensity of any potential tropical cyclone activity.

• Using satellite tech, meteorologist in the US can predict wind speeds, storm surges heights and the likely track of the cyclones before it makes landfall

• Regular forecasts are given on tv,the radio or online

Explain the USA’s warning and evac strategies

• Hurricane warning are widely broadcasted on major news channels

• some areas even have hurricane sirens and sounds when there is a high risk of a hurricane

• Evac orders are issued by local authorities in areas where it is likely people will be severely affected if they stay at home

• Law enforcement visit homes and spread the information

• Info is broadcasted on the news and tv

• Hurricane evac routes are established in areas that are often hit by tropical cyclones

• The national hurricane center runs National Hurricane Preparedness week, which aims to spread awareness about people’s risk and tell them how they can be prepared for a hurricane. All of which is funded by the US government

• hazard mapping - allows the data to be public increasing public awareness

Explain the USA’s storm surges defences

• a lot of money in invested in storm surge defences - levees and storm surges barrier

• The US is criticised heavily for having poor quality storm surges defences, and the defences have been breached on multiple occasions - Hurricane Katrina (man-made levees failed and flooded 80% of New Orleans - 1577 died)

• certain places are really prone to hurricanes and have taken precautions to lower these risks - precautions include: building houses on slits (avoid flooding from storm surges), houses made of concrete (resistant to very strong winds), reinforced windows and doors (withstand high winds and breakin