Attachments
Executive Summary
On 7 November 2019 a deep depression in Bay of Bengal (BoB) moved towards central-east turned into cyclone ‘Bulbul’ (NDRCC, 10/11/2019). The Meteorological Dept. of Bangladesh (BMD) started constant monitoring and communicating through routine bulletins. “Bulbul” headed towards Bangladesh’s coastal regions from the BoB with a maximum sustained wind speed of 120 kmph rising upto 150 kmph in gusts. Thereafter it re-curved northeastwards and moved towards West Bengal - Bangladesh Coasts on 9 November as a Severe Cyclonic Storm with maximum sustained wind speed of 110-120 Kmph gusting to 135 Kmph.
The low-lying areas of the coastal districts of Chattogram, Noakhali, Laxmipur, Feni, Chandpur, Borguna, Bhola, Patuakhali, Barishal, Pirozpur, Jhalokathi, Bagherhat, Khulna, Satkhira and their offshore islands and chars were supposed to be inundated by storm surge of 5-7 feet height above normal astronomical tide. BMD advised to hoist the great danger signal no TEN (R) TEN to the projected districts since the early hours of 9 November. Also all fishing boats and trawlers over north bay were advised to remain in shelter till further notice. The worst impacts are expected in the Ganges Delta region, with less impactful conditions to the southeast. While moving through the Sundarban, the cyclone became weaker and reached Barguna and Patuakhali with the windspeed of 101 Kmph as Sever Cyclone. Then it moved toward further north-east with 83.68 Kmph as Depression crossing Jhalokathi and Lakshmipur. The districts that suffered Peripheral effect of the cyclone are Bagerhat, Barguna, Barisal, Bhola, Jhalokati, Khulna, Patuakhali, Pirojpur, Satkhira, Bagerhat, Barguna, Barisal. The low impacted districts that ecperienced the wind speed from 60-80 kmph are: Bagerhat, Barisal, Bhola, Chandpur, Cumilla, Jhalokati, Khulna, Lakshmipur, Madaripur, Noakhali, Pirojpur, Satkhira,
Shariatpur.
According to the National Disaster Response Coordination Cell (NDRCC) several preparedness measures were taken by the Government of Bangladesh (GoB) under the leadership of Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief (MoDMR). An Inter-Ministerial Disaster Management Committee (IMDMC) meeting chaired by MoDMR’s State Minister with the participation of the Principal Secretary of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the Information Secretary, Armed Forces Division (AFD) and other officials as well as with the Secretary General of Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) took place on 9 November. During the meeting, it was decided that 18 million people will be evacuated to cyclone shelters, sufficient allocation of relief items to the probable affected districts and to suspend all waterway transport.
Till 9 Nov. Government of Bangladesh (GoB) has allocated the standard packages for cyclone response in 13 Districts: 4300 Met. Ton of GR Rice, 18.5 M GR Cash, 14000 packages of dry food, 900000 BDT for Infant food and 900000 BDT for Fodder. Risk information was communicated to the 13 most at-risk districts and evacuation to cyclone shelters of most exposed populations were undertaken with the logistics support from the District Commissioners (DCs) and the volunteers of the Cyclone Preparedness Program (CPP).
The Needs Assessment Working Group (NAWG) under the HCTT produced 2 SITREPs on 8 & 9 November 2019 as well as two flash updates were produced by UNRC office. In addition, a Joint Analysis of Disaster Exposure (JADE) undertaken by OCHA, WFP and Pacific Disaster Centre (PDC) was released. On 10 November, Inter cluster meeting decided to go for NAWG led joint rapid assessment with the technical support from VAM unit of UN-WFP. Later on NAWG technical member had a meeting on 11 November and planned for secondary information based assessment. Available SoS form , exposure to cyclonic wind and rainfall and relevant secondary data analyzed and triangulated for priority identification in order to addressing the emergency needs along with recovery and preparedness initiatives.