MobileMobile phonephones data and in disaster response – Bangladesh
The Department of Disaster Management (DDM) in Bangladesh made use of mobile phone and community-driven mass-alert systems in preparations for Cyclone Mahasen. This was an example of disaster risk management, and such preparedness efforts have already yielded results in the country: in 1991, a category-four cyclone made landfall south of Chittagong killing 138,000 people. In 2007, a category-five cyclone struck south-western Bangladesh, killing 3,500 people. In 2012, DDM was established. Cyclone Mahasen, a category-one cyclone, resulted in 17 deaths in Bangladesh. Through careful planning, communities at risk were alerted in time and lives were saved. FIGURE 18
BARISAL
Population movements inPopulation risk area movements in risk areahits an area, it is When a cyclone paramount that people arearea, in it is When a cyclone hits an cyclone-resistant shelters. During paramount that people are in Cyclone Mahasen, population cyclone-resistant shelters. During movements were still population observed after Cyclone Mahasen, landfall. This could be due to people movements were still observed after staying behind to check on assets, such landfall. This could be due to people as houses or cattle heading to shelter staying behind to check on assets, such very late or seeking alternative out of as houses or cattle heading to shelter danger zones, since the cyclone changed very late or seeking alternative out of path just before landfall. danger zones, since the cyclone changed path just before landfall.
BARISAL CHITTAGONG
CHITTAGONG
Affected area Non-impacted area Affected area
Non-impacted area
41