Planning needed to limit damage to crops, homes

"Proper planning is required to tackle the damage to crops and homes in coastal areas in Bangladesh during a cyclone," said Prof Dr Towhida Rashid, chairperson of the department of meteorology of Dhaka University, to The Business Standard.

"This period of the year (October to December) is a crucial time for Bangladesh. The frequency of natural disasters has been rising as a result of climate change, making Bangladesh's coastal belt more vulnerable," she added.

Of the 12 major cyclones recorded in Bangladesh since 1965, five hit in the October-December period and seven in April-May.

Cyclones during the dry season have been devastating. The one in 1970 ravaged the coastal Bhola district and killed 300,000 people. It has been labelled as the deadliest cyclone in the records of the World Meteorological Organisation since its inception in 1873.

Though cyclones hit in April and May too, they are more likely to hit in October and November. Apart from affecting life and human habitat, crops are also damaged by strong winds and incessant rain associated with cyclones, she noted.

She further said that there have been significant improvements in cyclone preparedness, from forecasting to rescue, which have greatly reduced loss of life.

More research should be done on crop patterns and building homes in coastal areas to minimise damage as much as possible, she added.

"We need to think about changing crop patterns on the coast, about leaving floodplains or grazing fields open to cushion the immediate shocks. We cannot stop or recover losses, but can try to limit the damage," she suggested.