Earthquake and Tsunami Knowledge, Risk Perception and Preparedness in the SE Bangladesh

Alam E

doi:10.4172/2167-0587.1000154

Abstract

Frequent tropical cyclones and floods, and less frequent earthquakes and tsunamis affect Bangladesh. In absence of recent large earthquake and tsunami experience, the country’s disaster risk reduction strategies have been developed from the learning dealing with frequent tropical cyclones and floods. However, an analysis of historical earthquake and tsunami suggests that the country is also vulnerable to earthquakes and tsunamis. For example, the 1762 earthquake originating within the Arakan Subduction Zone generated a tsunami in the northern Bay of Bengal that struck SE Bangladesh. This research aims to understand how local residents perceive and prepare for earthquake and tsunami in SE Bangladesh. In order to achieve this objective, this research used both quantitative (i.e. questionnaire survey) and qualitative (i.e. focus group discussions and informal interviews) data collection techniques in SE Bangladesh. The results of data analysis suggest that the local residents have lesser level of risk perception and preparedness in absence of their direct experience of earthquakes and tsunamis. As such, this research recommends further assessment of community vulnerability to earthquakes and tsunamis and implementing risk reduction strategies.

Highlights

Bangladesh (Figure 1) is currently ranked as one of the world’s most disaster prone countries
This research is an attempt to understand that local residents’ risk perception and preparedness about earthquake and tsunami in SE Bangladesh that has recently been identified prone to these types of hazards [4]
Key findings are provided that ought to be of interest to organizations responsible for developing earthquake and tsunami risk mitigation strategies and for assisting the government of Bangladesh to determine the appropriateness of its preparedness strategy

Summary

Introduction

Bangladesh (Figure 1) is currently ranked as one of the world’s most disaster prone countries. Ninety seven percent of the total land area and all inhabitants are at risk of multiple hazards including tropical cyclones, floods, droughts, riverbank and coastal erosion. People may not perceive earthquakes and tsunamis as major hazards, but the main hazard lies in potentials for rare but catastrophic high-magnitude earthquake and tsunami events. In this regard, this research is an attempt to understand that local residents’ risk perception and preparedness about earthquake and tsunami in SE Bangladesh that has recently been identified prone to these types of hazards [4]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion