Bangladesh is prone to many kinds of natural disasters. Of these natural disasters, the most important ones to mention are tropical cyclones, storm, floods, droughts, tornadoes and river-bank erosions. Besides these disastrous weather systems, the occurrences of earthquakes at times make significant impact both on social life and topography of the country.
Cyclones: Tropical cyclones are frequent in the Bay of Bengal. In the pre-monsoon and immediately post-monsoon periods are the seasons when cyclones and depressions form in the Bay of Bengal. Bangladesh has the worst record of cyclones and storm surges in the world. They destroy crops, damage infrastructure, homes and vital installations, and cause widespread health hazards for the people. Storm surges create both short and long-term problems because the salt water ruins the soils. The cyclone disasters in 1970 (300,000 dead) and 1991 (138,000 dead) are among the worst natural disasters in the world.
Floods: Apart from a few small hills in the north and south east, the country is totally flat. Very little of the country is more than 20 meters above sea level. So in a normal monsoon, one third of its 22 million acres of cultivated land is flooded. In August - September, 1988, Bangladesh experienced an unprecedented flood causing loss of 1657 human lives and again during July - September, 1998 Bangladesh experienced another flood which is the worst in the living memory both in respect of its long duration and high water level. Almost two-third area of the country was inundated causing widespread damage to the economy of the country ever before. It took the life of 918 people.
Droughts: Bangladesh experiences Drought conditions at some intervals of time. Records show that Bangladesh had, in the recent past, drought conditions having disastrous crop failure. In 1979 Bangladesh passed through a major drought year which was trend by many as the worst in the recent past. Droughts of 1957 and 1972 were of severe nature also. Crop failure by drought comes as a significant strain also to the socio-economic structure of Bangladesh.
Earthquakes: Analysis of the long period earthquake data shows that Bangladesh as a whole lies in the earthquake zone, of which two-third comes under major and moderate fault. Very recently on 21 November, 1997 an earthquake with an intensity of 6.1 on Rickter Scale shook the entire Chittagong region, the jolt of which was felt up to Dhaka. As a result, a five stories building in Chittagong sank up to first floor causing human death toll to the tune of 23 and sizeable property destruction.
River bank erosions: Every year, erosion takes away chunks of land causing displacement of large number of people and losses of properties. Due to recurrence of such erosion displaced people are forced to come to cities for their earning. This adds to the growth of slum areas, scarcity of land in the cities and also creates various social problems.
Tornadoes: Tornadoes cause localized devastation and demand an immediate response. A severe tornado hit Tangail district of the country on 13th May 1996 causing 540 deaths and injuring about 34000 people. Loss of cattle heads and damages to homes were also substantial.
Man is helpless against such forces of natural calamities. The only thing that can be done is to take the best precautionary measures by the joint efforts of the Government and the mass people. Men can only take controlling steps as much as possible.
