Cyclone Aila

• How many people have been killed by cyclones last century?

  2 million people
• When did Tropical Cyclone Aila occur?

  25th May 2009
• Where did Tropical Cyclone Aila happen?

  In the south western coastal region of Bangladesh
• What were the rainfall and wind speeds during Cyclone Aila?

  120mm of rainfall and winds up to 270km/h
• What caused flooding during Cyclone Aila?

  Storm surge and heavy rainfall
• Why is Bangladesh particularly vulnerable to flooding?

  80% of land is less than 10m above sea level
• When did Bangladesh receive a warning for Cyclone Aila?

  On the 21st of May
• What were the primary effects of Cyclone Aila?

  • 445 educational institutions destroyed
  • 4,588 damaged, affecting 500,000 children
  • 190 deaths and 750,000 homeless
  • 3.5 million people affected
  • Approx 58,950 animals died
  • Thousands of acres of farmland damaged
  • More than 50% of flood embankments destroyed
  • Nearly 2000km of road destroyed or damaged
  • Sunderbans flooded up to 6m
  • Water supply contaminated for a million people
• How many educational institutions were destroyed by Cyclone Aila?

  445 educational institutions
• How many people were affected by Cyclone Aila?

  3.5 million people
• What was the impact of the storm surge during Cyclone Aila?

  Raised sea level by 2-3m and caused flooding
• How many animals died due to Cyclone Aila?

  Approx 58,950 animals
• What was the condition of the water supply after Cyclone Aila?

  Contaminated, leaving a million people without drinking water
• Why did some villages built on embankments still suffer during Cyclone Aila?

  The cyclone had too much force
• What happened to many people's possessions during Cyclone Aila?

  Water took away many possessions
• What were the secondary effects of Cyclone Aila?

  • Water logging contaminated supplies
  • Huge outbreak of diarrhoea
  • Over 50,000 diarrhoea cases reported
  • Clinics overwhelmed with patients
  • 20 million people at risk of diseases
  • Weak public sector healthcare
  • Shortage of drugs in pharmacies
  • Economic loss of 18.85 billion taka
  • 10,000 people still homeless a year later
• What was the economic loss due to Cyclone Aila?

  18.85 billion taka
• How many diarrhoea cases were reported after Cyclone Aila?

  Over 50,000 cases
• What was the condition of healthcare in rural islands after Cyclone Aila?

  Very unqualified doctors and shortages of drugs
• What happened to families in Giripara Village after Cyclone Aila?

  Forced to live on trees without food and water
• How many people were still homeless a year after Cyclone Aila?

  10,000 people
• What were the immediate responses to Cyclone Aila?

  • 500,000 people evacuated from Bhola District
  • Dry clothes distributed by NGOs
  • Water rationed, but hard to reach remote areas
  • Government camps set up for shelter
  • Naval relief teams deployed to Sunderbans
  • Helicopters air-dropped food supplies
  • 10 million rupees released in relief funds
  • 400 troops deployed from National Disaster Response Force
  • Red Cross provided water purifying tablets
• How many people were evacuated from Bhola District?

  500,000 people
• What did the Red Cross provide after Cyclone Aila?

  Water purifying tablets and medicines
• What were the long-term responses to Cyclone Aila?

  • National Plan for Disaster Management (2010-2015)
  • Improving cyclone signalling system
  • Constructing cyclone shelters
  • Using GIS for mapping cyclones
  • CPP prepares communities for cyclones
  • New schools built to withstand cyclones
  • Funding cyclone-proof houses
• How many cyclone shelters were constructed in 2009?

  2,852 cyclone shelters
• What is the purpose of the Cyclone Preparedness Program (CPP)?

  To prepare communities for cyclones
• What technology is used for weather forecasting in Bangladesh?

  Satellite technology and weather radars
• What is the role of the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD)?

  • Predict and track cyclones
  • Provide information to the public
  • Use satellite images for forecasting
  • Send data to government officials
• How much did Bangladesh spend to release Bangabandhu Satellite-1?

  $280 million
• What does the Sangkalpa Trust do in Bangladesh?

  • Provides aid to cyclone-affected people
  • Sets up temporary medical clinics
  • Delivers shelter and clean water
  • Helps around 500,000 people annually
• When was the Sangkalpa Trust founded?

  In 1984
• What are the warning and evacuation strategies in Bangladesh?

  • Early warning system using campaigns
  • 45,000 volunteers spread awareness
  • Cyclone shelters built for safety
  • Raising toilets and clean water supplies
• What are the storm surge defences in Bangladesh?

  • 7500km of embankments built
  • World Bank funded improvements
  • Embankments protect important areas
  • Some embankments were destroyed during Cyclone Aila
• How much did the World Bank give to improve embankments?

  $400 million
• What was the issue with the embankments during Cyclone Aila?

  They weren't strong enough and were destroyed