Cyclone

Submitted To
Ms. Arpa Paul
Lecturer
Department of Sociology and Sustainable Development
Premier University

Submitted By
Sultan Mahmud
Student Id: 2000411800031
Batch: 4th
Semester: 6th
Session: Fall-2023
Department of Sociology and Sustainable Development
Premier University

This assignment of individual work is submitted to Premier University,

Department of Sociology and Sustainable Development as part of the
requirement of Disaster Management and Sustainable Development
(SOC 416).

Date: 31/01/24
 A cyclone is a large-scale atmospheric system with circular wind circulation and centers of
low pressure. Although they can originate over land or in water, tropical waters are the most
likely place for cyclones to form. There are several kinds of cyclones, such as polar,
extratropical, and tropical cyclones.
Tropical Cyclones: These are powerful, elliptical storms that develop over warm, equatorial
ocean waters. In the Atlantic and eastern Pacific, they are referred to as hurricanes; in the
northwest Pacific, they are called typhoons; in the southern and Indian oceans, they are called
cyclones.
Extratropical Cyclones: These are low-pressure systems that originate outside of the tropics
and are linked to fronts that are the meeting point of opposing air masses. In medium and
high latitudes, extratropical cyclones are frequent occurrences and have a major impact on
local weather patterns.
Polar Cyclones: These are low-pressure systems that occur in polar regions. They are often
smaller in scale compared to tropical and extratropical cyclones.
Cyclones in Bangladesh (1970-2022):
1. 1970 Bhola Cyclone:
 The deadliest tropical cyclone recorded in history.
 Struck East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) and West Bengal on November 13, 1970.
 Caused widespread devastation and claimed an estimated 300,000 to 500,000 lives.
 A significant event that led to increased focus on cyclone preparedness and response.
2. 1991 Bangladesh Cyclone (April 29):
 One of the most powerful cyclones to hit the region.
 Caused extensive damage and resulted in the deaths of over 138,000 people.
 Highlighted the need for improved disaster preparedness and management.
3. 2007 Cyclone Sidr (November 15):
 One of the strongest cyclones to hit Bangladesh.
 Caused widespread damage, affecting millions of people.
 Improved disaster preparedness measures resulted in a lower death toll compared to
previous cyclones.
4. 2009 Cyclone Aila (May 25):
 Affected the southwestern coastal areas of Bangladesh.
 Caused significant damage to infrastructure and agriculture.
5. 2013 Cyclone Mahasen (May 16):
 Forced the evacuation of over a million people.
 The cyclone weakened before making landfall, resulting in fewer casualties.
6. 2019 Cyclone Fani (May 3):
 Although primarily affecting India, Fani caused some impact in Bangladesh.
 Demonstrated the importance of regional cooperation in disaster response.
Pre-Disaster Planning and Management in Bangladesh:
1. Early Warning Systems:
 Bangladesh has developed a robust early warning system to provide timely alerts to
vulnerable communities.
 The Bangladesh Meteorological Department plays a crucial role in monitoring and
forecasting cyclones.
2. Evacuation Plans:
 Evacuation plans are in place to move people from vulnerable coastal areas to cyclone
shelters.
 Regular drills and awareness campaigns are conducted to ensure communities are prepared
for evacuations.
3. Cyclone Shelters:
 The government has invested in the construction of cyclone shelters, which serve as safe
havens during cyclones.
 These shelters are equipped with basic amenities to accommodate displaced people.
4. Community Engagement:
 Community-based approaches involve local residents in disaster risk reduction efforts.
 Information dissemination and awareness campaigns are conducted at the community
level.
Rescue and Post-Disaster Management in Bangladesh:
1. Emergency Response:
 Bangladesh deploys its armed forces, including the army, navy, and air force, for search
and rescue operations during and after cyclones.
2. International Cooperation:
 Bangladesh collaborates with international organizations and neighboring countries for
coordinated disaster response efforts.
3. Relief and Rehabilitation:
 After the cyclone passes, efforts focus on providing immediate relief, such as food, water,
and medical assistance.
 Long-term rehabilitation plans address reconstruction and recovery.
4. Climate Adaptation:
 Bangladesh actively engages in climate change adaptation measures to mitigate the impact
of cyclones and rising sea levels.
Cyclones, also known as hurricanes or typhoons in different regions, are powerful tropical
storms characterized by low-pressure centers, strong winds, and heavy rainfall. These storms
can have various causes and consequences, impacting both the environment and human
populations. Here's an overview:
Causes of Cyclones:
1. Warm Ocean Water: When the sea surface temperature is at least 26.5 degrees Celsius, or
roughly 80 degrees Fahrenheit, cyclones usually form over warm ocean waters. The energy
required to fuel the storm is supplied by the warm water.
2. Coriolis Effect: Moving air masses are deflected by the Coriolis effect, which is brought on
by the Earth's rotation. This phenomenon aids in the development of cyclones' distinctive
rotating structure.
3. Low Atmospheric Pressure: Areas with low atmospheric pressure are ideal for cyclones. A
low-pressure area forms at the surface as warm air rising over the ocean. A cyclonic
circulation is subsequently created when the surrounding air rushes in to fill the void.
 Consequences of Cyclones:
1. Destructive Winds: Winds from cyclones are notoriously powerful and can reach very high
speeds. These winds have the potential to seriously harm vegetation, infrastructure, and
structures.
2. Storm Surge: Storm surges can occur when a cyclone's low-pressure center and powerful
winds force seawater ashore. Storm surges have the potential to cause substantial damage and
pose a serious threat to human life in coastal areas by flooding.
3. Heavy Rainfall: Heavy rainfall caused by cyclones frequently results in landslides and
flooding. The risk of flooding can be increased by the heavy rain, which can overflow rivers,
drainage systems, and other bodies of water.
4. Loss of Life and Property: When powerful winds, storm surges, and heavy rains come
together, it can cause fatalities as well as property damage. Cyclones can have an especially
strong influence on coastal locations.
5. Displacement of Populations: People may be forced to leave their homes by cyclones,
which may result in either a temporary or permanent relocation. While evacuation operations
are necessary to reduce the number of victims, they may also cause livelihood losses and
community disturbances.
6. Environmental Impact: Cyclones can cause significant harm to ecosystems, biodiversity
loss, and coastal modifications, among other effects on the environment. The storm's
aftermath may potentially cause water source contamination and land erosion.
7. Infrastructure Damage: During cyclones, structures like roads, bridges, buildings, and other
infrastructure can sustain significant damage. Affected areas may face severe financial
hardships as a result of the reconstruction and repair operations.
8. Impact on Agriculture: Crops can be harmed by cyclones due to powerful winds, intense
rain, and flooding. Food shortages could result from this, which would hurt the local and
regional economies.
9. Long-Term Economic Consequences: In addition to the immediate costs of reaction and
recovery, cyclones can have long-term effects on the economy, such as lower economic
productivity, higher debt levels, and difficulties in reconstructing infrastructure.
In summary, cyclones can have devastating effects on both the natural environment and
human communities, making them a significant concern for regions prone to tropical storms.
Preparedness, early warning systems, and effective response mechanisms are crucial in
mitigating the impact of cyclones on vulnerable populations.