Response and Management of Earthquake Hazard in Bangladesh

Dr Sheikh Tawhidul IslamProfessor, Department of Geography and Environment

Director, Institute of Remote Sensing

Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh

17 April 2017, Beijing.

Outline of the Presentation

• Disaster history of Bangladesh (including earthquake disaster)

• Potential earthquake risks in Bangladesh

• Earthquake response and management in Bangladesh

• Examples of earthquake risks in Bangladesh

Disasters have been the main contexts for Bangladeshi communities within which they

have been adapting to the challenges for everyday living and gradually strengthen

capacities to thrive. The country’s overall capacity has evolved based on the lessons

learned from success and failures of disaster management actions and process.

The Bengal Famine of 1943, severe consecutive floods happened in the years 1953,

1954, 1955, severe cyclone in 1970, famine in eighties (1974) due to Brahmaputra

flooding and crop failure, widespread and prolonged floods in 1987, 1988, cyclone

stricken in 1991, then cyclone Sidr in 2007 and Aila in 2009 are known big events in

Bangladesh disaster history happened in the past half century. Although these events

caused huge miseries in the lives of people but at the same time managing these events

had created grounds of opportunities for the people, state agencies and professionals to

gain knowledge, experience that gradually assisted to developed nation’s disaster

management capacity.

Disaster History of Bangladesh

Earthquake hazard poses huge threats to the lives of people, damage of property and

economy in Bangladesh because of its location in the tectonically active Himalayan

orogenic belt. The major earthquakes happened in Bangladesh include 1548

earthquake hit in Chittagong and Sylhet regions, earthquake stricken in 1642 in

Sylhet district, earthquake took place in 1918 in Sylhet district, 1762 earthquake that

shaken most parts of Bangladesh, great Indian earthquake happened in 1897 (8.7

magnitude on Richter Scale) caused huge damage in Dhaka, Sylhet and Mymensingh

districts. In recent memories, 1997, 1999 and 2003 earthquake in greater Chittagong

regions caused local level damages. Study suggests that around 250,000 buildings in the

three major cities of Bangladesh like Dhaka, Chittagong and Sylhet are extremely

vulnerable to earthquakes. Some 142,000 among 180,000 (79%) buildings in Chittagong;

24,000 out of 52,000 in Sylhet (46%); and 78,000 out of 326,000 buildings (24%) in

Dhaka were detected as risky to earthquake hazards by MoDMR assessment (2015).

Earthquake Disaster in Bangladesh

BANGLADESH HAZARD PROFILEDROUGHT Affects 2.3 m ha crop land. Loss of grazing fields, dried up ponds, water shortage. In 2006, reduced food grains by 1 million tons.

FLASH FLOODDamages standing crops, infrastructures and facilities. Unpredictable, uncertain.

FLOODInundates 20% (normal years) to 75% of land area during monsoon, increases river erosion, breaches embankments, damages infrastructures. Loss of crops, fisheries, livestock, biodiversity.

SALINITY INTRUSIONDamages biodiversity, crop lands, livelihoods, safe water sources. Spreading intrusion from 0.75 to 1.5 m ha (2009); 53% of coastal area affected. Projected displacement: 6-8 million people by 2050

CYCLONERemains the deadliest, most destructive hazard. Recurring events, lingering aftermath, complex recovery.Improved preparedness (CPP, shelters, embankments).

ANDCLIMATE CHANGE HAZARDS, EARTHQUAKES, FIRE BREAKOUTS, INFRASTRUCTURE COLLAPSES, ETC.

Comprehensive Disaster Management Programme (CDMP II)Ministry of Disaster Management & Relief

Major Hazards

Earthquake Risk in Bangladesh

Earthquake Threats

In general, at short return period, i.e. 43 years, the observed seismicity in and around

Bangladesh controls the hazard for most considered structural periods.

Ground motion across Bangladesh represented by PGA is in the range of 0 .1-0 .6g,

corresponding to the 475-year return period and in the range of 0.1-1.0 g,

corresponding to the 2,475-year return period.

The effect of high-slip-rate of Duaki fault could be observed as the largest seismic

hazard in Bangladesh.

Source: MoDMR (2015)

Cities Total

number of

buildings

Generation of debris Concrete Structure Masonry Structure Informal Structures

(Mill

ion

Met

ric

Ton

)

% o

f st

eel

follo

wed

by

bri

ck/w

oo

d

Tota

l bu

ildin

gs

Mo

der

ate

Dam

age

(%)

Co

mp

lete

Dam

age

(%)

Tota

l bu

ildin

gs

Mo

der

ate

Dam

age

(%)

Co

mp

lete

Dam

age

(%)

Tota

l bu

ildin

gs

Mo

der

ate

Dam

age

(%)

Co

mp

lete

Dam

age

(%)

Bogra Municipality 92830 3.850 73, 27 9829 22.86 8.37 61288 19.79 32.19 20227 18.54 0.1

Dinajpur Municipality 41955 1.390 75, 25 3929 22.74 1.78 23318 25.7 16.16 8057 14.48 0

Mymensingh Municipality 45033 4.55 70, 30 7703 0.58 97.77 26789 0.57 91.77 10541 38.36 1.57

Rajshahi City Corporation 93885 1.610 68, 32 7982 23.85 8.62 80618 29.73 18.84 5142 18.07 0.14

Rangpur City Corporation (old

municipal area)

76444 2.81 73, 27 6294 31.33 29.32 37436 13.84 42.18 32694 10.66 0.15

Tangail Municipality 68348 0.35 72, 28 4864 20.54 10.57 13076 40.04 5.93 44417 12.07 0

Buildings-at-risk in different cities of Bangladesh to earthquake hazards

MoDMR (2015). Atlas: Seismic Risk Assessment in Bangladesh for Bogra Dinajpur Mymensingh Rajshahi Rangpur and Tangail

City Corporation/Municipality Areas. Government of People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Dhaka.

Expenditure from government organizations for Rana plaza victims

(450 million BDT, equivalent to 5.62 million USD)

Learning from Recent Building-Collapse Management Experience (Rana Plaza)

Earthquake Response and Management in Bangladesh

Disaster Management Regulatory Framework

Inter-related institutions, at both national and sub-national levels have been created to ensure effective planning and coordination of disaster risk reduction and emergency response

management.Followingis thelistofNationalandSub-nationallevelinstitutionsrespectively.

At National Level

1. National Disaster Management Council (NDMC)headed by the HonorablePrime Minister to formulate and review the disaster management policies and issue directives to all concerns.

2. Inter-Ministerial Disaster Management Co-ordination Committee (IMDMCC) headed by the Hon'ble Minister in charge of the Disaster Management and Relief Division (DM&RD) to implement disaster

management policies and decisions of NDMC / Government.

3. National Disaster Management Advisory Committee (NDMAC) headed by an experienced person having been nominated by the HonorablePrime Minister.

4. National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (NPDRR) headed by Secretary, DM&RD and DG, DDM functions as the member secretary. This platform shall coordinate and provide

necessary facilitation to the relevant stakeholders.

5. Earthquake Preparedness and Awareness Committee (EPAC) headed by Honorable minister for MoFDM and DG, DDM act as member secretary.

6. Cyclone Preparedness Program Implementation Board (CPPIB) headed by the Secretary, Disaster Management and Relief to review the preparedness activities in the face of initial

stage of an impending cyclone.

7. Cyclone Preparedness Programme (CPP) Policy Committee headed by Honorable Minister, MoFDM and Secretary, DM&RD act as member secretary. Disaster Management

Training and Public Awareness Building Task Force (DMTATF) headed by the Director General of Department of Disaster Management (DDM) to coordinate the disaster

related training and public awareness activities of the Government, NGOs and other organizations.

8. Focal Point Operation Coordination Group of Disaster Management (FPOCG) headed by the Director General of DDM to review and coordinate the activities of various

departments/agencies related to disaster management and also to review the Contingency Plan prepared by concerned departments.

9. NGO Coordination Committee on Disaster Management (NGOCC) headed by the Director General of DDM to review and coordinate the activities of concerned NGOs in the country.

10. Committee for Speedy Dissemination of Disaster Related Warning/ Signals (CSDDWS) headed by the Director General of DDM to examine, ensure and find out the ways and

means for the speedy dissemination of warning/ signals among the people.

Disaster Management Committees

At Sub-National Level

1. District Disaster Management Committee (DDMC) headed by the Deputy Commissioner (DC) to coordinate and review the disaster management activities at the District level.

2. Upazila Disaster Management Committee (UZDMC) headed by the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) to coordinate and review the disaster management activities at the Upazila

level.

3. Union Disaster Management Committee (UDMC) headed by the Chairman of the Union Parishadto coordinate, review and implement the disaster management activities of the concerned Union.

4. Paurashava Disaster Management Committee (PDMC) headed by Chairman of Pourashava (Paurashava) to coordinate, review and implement the disaster management

activities within its area of jurisdiction.

5. City Corporation Disaster Management Committee (CCDMC) headed by the Mayor of City Corporations to coordinate, review and implement the disaster management activities within its area of

jurisdiction.

Earthquake Preparedness and Awareness Committee (EPAC)The Government of Bangladesh has formed a committee on Earthquake Preparedness and Awareness, in order to prepare the nation for earthquake risk management (SOD, 2010)

Chaired by the Prime Minister of Bangladesh. The Committee is supposed to meet twice a year, the Chairman may call additional meetings, if needed. Sub committees may be formed for contingency

planning and aspect of earthquake risk reduction. Responsibilities of the committee are to

(1) Review national earthquake preparedness and awareness programme and recommend suggestion for concerned organizations.

(2) Review the list of Search and Rescue equipment for earthquake.

(3) Prepare and recommend a list of equipment for earthquake risk reduction and search and rescue programme after an earthquake.

An Emergency Response and Communication Centre (ERCC) and a National Disaster Management Research and Training

Institute (NDMRTI) are about to be established under the Urban Resilience Project. The purpose of the ERCC and NDMRTI is to

enhance the emergency management and preparedness capacity at national level and local level city corporations as well as FSCD

(Fire Service and Civil Defense) in Dhaka and Sylhet through training, exercise and drills. MoDMR has procured 7,496 no. of

equipment for search and rescue operation related to earthquake and other disasters in 2011-2014. These equipment have already

been distributed to Fire Service & Civil Defense and Armed Forces Division. Procurement of more equipment is under process.

Tentatively, 15,020 no. of disaster related equipment is planned to be procured during the 7th FYP period. Besides, 2154 no. of

equipment for water related disasters will be procured with support of Government of Japan by 2020.

Earthquake Disaster Response

In order to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the post-earthquake search and rescue operations, government has

undertaken initiatives to form a total of 70,260 thousand urban volunteers by 2020. As a part of initiative, the MoDMR through its

CDMP Project has already developed 32 thousand volunteers.

MoDMR prepared contingency plans for emergency response and recovery stages of earthquake disaster management for

different levels. Scenario based contingency plan has been prepared for national level. In addition, contingency plans

developed for city level, e.g. for the city corporations in Dhaka, Chittagong and Sylhet. Agency level contingency plans include

Department of Disaster Management (DDM), Armed Forces Division (AFD ), Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS),

Directorate of Relief and Rehabilitation (DRR), Fire Service and Civil Defense (FSCD), Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution

Company Limited (TGTDCL), Bangladesh Telecommunication Company Limited (B TCL), Dhaka Power Distribution Company

Limited (DPDC) and Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (DWASA). Scenario based contingency plans have also been

prepared at city level for the cities of Bogra, Dinajpur, Mymensingh, Rajshahi, Rangpur and Tangail, and at Ward Level fo r

Dhaka North City Corporation (13 Wards), Dhaka South City Corporation (12 Wards), Chittagong City Corporation (15 Wards)

and Sylhet City Corporation (10 Wards ).

The plans have identified evacuation routes, emergency shelter locations andidentified gaps in the resource and needs by the responding agencies.

Earthquake Disaster Response

Financial

Code

Agency Budget 2015-16 Revised budget 2014-15 Budget 2014-15

4901 Secretariat,

MoDMR

16803918000

(210.05 million USD)

15096422000 (188.71 million

USD)

18342705000 (229.28 million

USD)

4932 DDM 6502600000

(81.28 million USD)

6079400000 (75.99 million USD) 5911200000 (73.89 million

USD)

Total expenditure 23306,518000 (291.33

million USD)

21175822000 (264.7 million

USD)

24253905000 (303.17 million

USD)

GoB's direct investment for DRR

In that period, UN agencies allocated BDT 226.3 million (approximately USD 2.83 milllion), NGOs allocated BDT 826.1 million (approximately USD 10.33 million) and the International Federation of Red Cross-Bangladesh red Crescent Society (IFRC-BDRCS) allocated BDT 250.4 million (approximately USD 3.13 million).

Social Safety Net Programs (SSNP) projects implemented by MoDMR in 2014-15 fiscal year as part of disaster vulnerability reduction of the communities.

30,011 (of whom 6,970 are female and 23,041 are male) urban community volunteers trained

10 Model Fire Stations with highly specialized search and rescue equipment established

28 Fire Service and Civil Defence and Ministry of Home Affairs officials received overseas training on search

and rescue and 2,088 professionals received in-country training

Geological, geomorphological, and engineering geological maps of 6 cities have been developed

DRR and CCA issues have been incorporated in 35 text books of primary to secondary education system; over

22 million students (from classes III to XII) of every academic year now have access to DRR and CCA

knowledge

Disaster Risk Reduction Action Plan, Earthquake Contingency Plan and gender toolkit developed for

Department of Women Affairs (DWA); 250 DWA officials have received training on disaster and climate

Change from training programs organized in 10 districts.

National Health Crisis Management and Archive Centre established

Guidelines for nonstructural vulnerability assessment for hospitals and post-earthquake comprehensive

health care action plan for urban cities developed

70% of weather forecast processing time has been reduced as a result of installing Weather Research and

Forecasting simulation system; 593 officials trained on meteorological services and ICT

115 million cell-phone users now have direct access to early warnings of approaching hydro- meteorological

disasters by dialing 10941.

For every dollar invested in flood early warning, we could expect an estimated return of $ 260

Major Achievements in Earthquake Disaster Risk Management (DRM) in Bangladesh

• Understanding, knowledge and capacity gaps

• Priorities in financing in DRR

• Weak integration with development efforts

• Weakness in implementation, monitoring and shared learning

• Gaps in institutional coordination

• Lack in decentralization

• Comprehensive policy in recovery activities

• Mainstreaming gender in disaster risk reduction is still weak

Key Challenges in Earthquake Disaster Risk Management (DRM) in Bangladesh

Examples of Earthquake Risks in Bangladesh

Cities Built up along the Rivers:Khulna City

Cities Built up along the Rivers: Mymensingh City

Urbanization Process

• Current urbanization level 28.4% (2015), size of urban population 42.7 million (2011) living in 570 urban centers.

• 50% urban population by 2047.

Trends of Urbanization in Bangladesh (1901-2011)

Figure 6: Drainage pattern of the area.Figure 2: Physical components of NORI (proposed in the DPP).

Thank you.