Tropical Storm Mahasen; HCTT Phase I Joint Needs Assessment In Bhola, Barguna and Patuakhali Districts

Publication language
English
Pages
26pp
Date published
01 May 2013
Type
Research, reports and studies
Keywords
Disasters, Cyclone, Needs assessment
Countries
Bangladesh
Organisations
Assessment Capacities Project (ACAPS)
Link
http://reliefweb.int/report/bangladesh/tropical-storm-mahasen-hctt-phase-i-joint…

Tropical Storm ‘Mahasen’ made land fall between Bhola and Patuakhali districts of Barisal division, Bangladesh at 9:30am on May 16, 2013. The system then moved over southern Bangladesh, weakened and dissipated on 17 May. Subsequent rain and localized flooding that began prior to the storm continues across the affected area. 

 
In spite of initial concerns about the potential impact of Mahasen, successful early warning and evacuation by the GoB together with a reduction in the speed of the cyclone meant that the damage to property and infrastructure, as well as the human cost in terms of deaths and injuries, were not as bad as expected. Due to the geographical location of these districts (coastal islands) they are very vulnerable to cyclones and tidal surge. 62 percent of the area for example, is prone to severe tidal surge which in this case was not as severe as was feared.