Impact and Adaptation to Cyclone AILA: Focus on Water Supply, Sanitation and Health of Rural Coastal Community in the South West Coastal Region of Bangladesh

Abstract

The objective of these study was to examine the impact of cyclone AILA on water supply, sanitation and health status in the southwest coastal region of Bangladesh and explore adaptation strategies. This study relied on field investigation where 120 respondents answers were collected randomly from three disasters prone unions in coastal Bangladesh through a defined questionnaire. Natural disaster was a common feature of the study area. The cyclone AILA hit the southwestern coastal region of the country in 25th May 2009.Water supply and sanitation condition became harshly disrupted during that time when it embraced various water borne diseases. Qualitative field data represented that about 67% people faced serious drinking water scarcity, especially during disasters and summer season due to the disruption of water supply facilities. In the study area, 97% households sanitation system were totally destroyed and 96% households could not use their sanitation facilities during disasters, unattainable sanitation technology was the main causes of these damage. Owing to poor water supply and sanitation facilities, people suffered from diarrhoea (32%) and dysentery (44%) diseases during the study conducted time. Tube-wells and latrines are build on an elevated base with improved floor and the excavation of ponds for salinity removal is the main adaptation approach for this area. Results drawn from this research and recommended adaptation strategies will be useful for local and national level planners, as well as international donors for preparing future disaster risk reduction plan.