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Chapter 1Introduction 1.1BackgroundBangladesh is among the nations most vulnerable to climate change, floods, cyclones and other major natural disasters such as storm surge, flash flood, drought, tornado, riverbank erosion, and landslide. Its devastating calamities, particularly floods and cyclones, are continuing to claim the lives of hundreds to thousands and to damage billions of dollars worth of property almost every year. The UN ranked Bangladesh as the 6th most at-risk nation with regard to natural hazards. In recent times, the frequency and severity of the natural calamities increased and inadequate resources and lack of accurate and real-time information for decision making impeded the ability of our central disaster management capacity, which results in long term negative impact on our socio-economic development. Disaster management in Bangladesh has gone through a process of significant reforms. To bring this paradigm shift in disaster management from conventional response and relief practice to a more comprehensive risk reduction culture, ICT (Mobile technology) can play a fundamental role. According to the present government's election mandate, a Digital Bangladesh is the topmost priority. And accordingly, scholars believe that an effective information and communication technology (ICT) policy is one of the solutions to not only realize its digital dream but to fight natural disasters and accomplish the millennium development goals (MDGs) and more.However, ICT scholars from the country claim that this is one of the biggest 'cash cow' sectors of the country fetching large amounts of foreign aids/funds but the development is too slow and in some places, not at all as favorable as it ought to be.Speaking to The Independent Dr Md Mahfuz Ashraf, lecturer at the department of management information systems (MIS), Faculty of Business Studies, University of Dhaka, said: At present, there is no institutional approach to cater to this burning issue of disaster management. Interestingly, a project of SMS-based alarm system was started from the ministry of Food and Disaster Management in recent years with the completion of its architectural design but the project was never implemented due to unavailability of funds. There is not yet any action-based project to combat disaster risks.So, how can ICT help in combating disaster risks? With the advent of ICT, we can find a wide range of technology based options starting from mobile phone communications, real time high speed wireless Internet, radio (AM and low power FM), geographic information system (GIS) and personal computers - all are encompassed in ICT.ICT can offer a wide range of tools and software for facing the challenges created by natural disasters. These tools are being used to gather, store and analyze data related to disasters, not only to be used in post-disaster situations, but also as a long-term measure to mitigate the risk of the disasters.In the sector of disaster management, ICT in developing countries can help to better connect people, efficiently provide basic services like health care, education, food security, financial management and more.ICT enabled applications have great potentials for helping to build a lower-carbon, knowledge-centric society, where it can be mostly utilized as a strategic tool for development.Our neighboring country India is successfully using ICT to its advantage. The India Disaster Resource Network (IDRN) is a nation-wide electronic inventory of essential and specialist resources for disaster response, covering specialist equipment, specialist manpower resources and critical supplies..According to an 'ICT for Development 2010 case study' published by UN's Asian and Pacific training centre for information communication technology for development (APCICT), in Bangladesh, the Disaster Management Information Centre is piloting early warning dissemination through cell broadcasting (CB) in two districts - Sirajganj (for floods) and Coxs Bazaar (for cyclones). Agreements were signed with two mobile operators - Grameenphone and state-owned Teletalk - to send instant messages to their subscribers. Based on the result of the pilot, this technology will be expanded to other high risk areas of Bangladesh through the Comprehensive Disaster Management Programme or CDMP.

1.2 Objectives The objectives of this paper are as follow To discuss the use of ICT in disaster management in Bangladesh. To discuss disaster management framework in Bangladesh and identify the use ICT in it. To find out the scope and framework for using ICT in disaster management in Bangladesh. Recommend a ICT enabled disaster management model for Bangladesh to reduce disaster.

1.3 Key words:1. Disaster management,2. Mobile technology3. Bangladesh.

1.4 Disaster1. A state of extreme (usually irremediable) ruin and misfortune; 2. An event resulting in great loss and misfortune

1.4.1 What are disasters? Natural Man-made

It is evident that by no means disasters can be fully prevented and only the loss caused by these events can be prevented or minimized. Man-Made and Technological Types of Disasters1) Hazardous materials2) Power service disruption &blackout3) Nuclear power plantandnuclear blast4) Radiological emergencies Chemical threatandbiological weapons Cyber attacks Explosion Civil unrest

Natural Types of Disasters1. Agricultural diseases & pests2. Damaging Winds3. Droughtand water shortage4. Earthquakes5. Emergency diseases (pandemic influenza)6. Floods and flash floods

7. Hurricanes and tropical storms8. Landslides & debris flow9. Thunderstormsandlighting10.Tornadoes11.Tsunamis12.Wildfire13.Winter and ice storms14.Sinkholes

1.4.2 Impact of disasters?Disasters disrupt life, livelihoods, economies, political systems, and belief systems -in short, everything that makes society work.

1.4.3 While ICTs cannot prevent most hazards.

Fig.1.1 TSUNAMI

1.4.4 Hazard1. A source of danger; 2. An unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another.

Chapter 22.1 Role of ICT in disaster management A recent primer by the Asia-Pacific Development Information Programmer (APDIP) on ICT and Disaster Management suggests six symbiotic phases of the disaster risk management cycle: Mitigation: any activity that reduces either the chance of a hazard taking place or a hazard turning into disaster. Risk reduction: anticipatory measures and actions that seek to avoid future risks as a result of a disaster. Prevention: avoiding a disaster even at the eleventh hour. Preparedness: plans or preparations made to save lives or property, and help the response and rescue service operations. This phase covers implementation/operation, early warning systems and capacity building so the population will react appropriately when an early warning is issued. Response: includes actions taken to save lives and prevent property damage, and to preserve the environment during emergencies or disasters. The response phase is the implementation of action plans. Recovery: includes actions that assist a community to return to a sense of normality after a disaster. The APDIP primer goes on to identify a number of means through which ICTs significantly aid every one of these broadly defined categories of disaster management.Conventional wisdom suggests that LDCs have little or no place for ICTs to play a role in disaster risk management. It is vital to challenge this shibboleth. Worth quoting at length here is anarticle by Sanjana Hattotuwa, written immediately after the Significant havoc caused by Asian tsunami on Boxing Day, December 2004, as an example of how ICTs can help in disaster mitigation and recovery: The sensitive and creative use of technology can help nurture change processes that can lead to more peaceful and sustainable futures and avoid the pitfalls of partisan aid and relief operations. Providing for mobile telephony that give remote communities access to constantly updated weather and geological information and helping create endogenous early warning systems using local knowledge, using tele-centres to serve as repositories of information on emergency procedures and evacuation guidelines, co-coordinating the work of aid agencies on the ground ensuring the delivery of aid and relief to all communities, monitoring aid flows and evaluating delivery, creating effective mechanisms for the co-ordination of reconstruction and relief efforts, creating avenues for effective communication between field operations and warehouses based in urban centers, creating secure virtual collaboration workspaces that bring in individuals and organizations sans ethnic, geographic or religious boundaries, enabling centralized data collection centers that collect information from the field and distribute it to relevant stakeholders are just some of the immediate uses for technology.In the longer term, it is imperative to use trust relationships nurtured in virtual domains at present (for example, state and non-state actors coming together in virtual spaces for aid and relief co-ordination). Technology can help knowledge flows from the Diasporas to directly influence developmental processes on the ground, by-passing, if necessary, third parties to directly empower communities. Tele-centers can be repositories of alternative livelihoods in areas where it is now impossible to carry on traditional modes of living. Using cheaply available self powered digital radios with broadband downlinks, it is possible to empower even the remotest communities with information that they can translate into knowledge to help them rebuild lives and create connections with others who have suffered the same plight. Online dispute resolution can use organic and local knowledge frameworks with creative and modern dispute resolution mechanisms to effectively address the problems that individuals and communities will face on the ground with limited access to resources. Fig 2.1 : Symbiotic phases of risk management

2.2 ICT for Mitigation PhaseConsists of pre-disaster activitiesnecessary to be implemented in advance for reducing the impacts of disasters such as the development and promulgation of zoning ordinances and building codes and creation of the critical baseline data alongwith analysis and modeling capability needed to prepare for, respond to, and recover from a disaster event. Mitigation may also include implementing legislation that prevents building structures in areas prone to earthquake, flood or tsunami. Utilizing existing databases linked to geographic features in GIS makes the task of monitoring these possible. For the most part, these activities are not time critical but are essential while designing the ICT infrastructure. Networking requirements to support the mitigation phase should meet key attributes, like the need to move large volume of data/ information, broad connectivity among a diverse group of organizations etc. However, in contrast to response and recovery, timeliness is generally not critical. The data are largely archive-based, and hence several cataloged and linked repositories are to be accessed through good search engines or the directory systems should permit access to the distributed users. Data providers are responsible for data quality (timeliness and accuracy), limiting redundancy, and updating catalog/directory information. Use of modeling/prediction tools for trend and risk analysis is important. The scientific community increasingly relies on the Internet for access to data and scientific collaboration in supporting mitigation efforts.2.3 ICT for Preparedness PhasePreparedness activities range from early warning, community development, training of the first responders and the community, logistical support, supply, and resource systems needed for disaster response to early warning and monitoring activities preceding the disasters. Distribution of warning data through a dedicated network during the preparedness phase is intense, and timeliness becomes a critical factor for some types of information dissemination. Although disaster prediction accuracy and warning lead-times are improving, storm and earthquake alerts still require wide distribution in minutes or seconds. In remote areas, for example, full national coverage is still a concern to be addressed to, through adoption of various technologies. Public awareness through broadcast announcements and access to disaster web pages are the key issues. Distance learning and other training activities making use of interactive video also fit into this category.

2.4 ICT for Response PhaseResponse to disaster events is time critical. Logistical support option for providing relief materials, damage surveys, baseline maps, equipment, human resources, and funds all need to be accessible. Communications among response teams and to the general public become most vital. Rapid, reliable, configurable, controlledaccess communication is vital to efficient disaster response operations. Major challenges are presented by extreme conditions of infrastructure destruction, communication traffic peaks, mobile users, and sensitive data. Management of property and casualty status, resource information, and response priorities require special access capabilities beyond normal commercial telephone/ Internet services.

2.5 ICT for Recovery PhaseBulk of the data needs during recovery include significant onsite data collection related to rebuilding, claims processing, and documentation of lessons learnt. Feedback on the mitigation process and historical databases that are important to prevent the same mistakes in the future. Timeliness concerns are relaxed in favor of efficiency, and internet is often ideal for such transfers. It is, therefore clear that the requirement for access, privacy, and bandwidth varies among disaster phases. Todays disaster information infrastructure should offer an appropriate mix ofcomponent technologies to respond to diverse requirements. The Internet is suitable ICT support to the recovery and mitigation phases, but urgent and life-critical communications during the preparation and response phases call for systems that are more robust. Establishing a robust National Disaster Communication Network (NDCN) will meet the ICT requirement with assured response without failure. Wireless media using mobile system such as portable satellite communications, wireless systems, etc as part of NDCN would meet the requirements during emergencies. ICT networks should use various technologies to provide a network meeting the requirement during all phases of disaster. Creative applications of broadcast technologies are also to be explored for warning and advisory systems. Internet can be overloaded, leading to an extra burden on response time. Although through the addition of mirrored servers and similar approaches, a larger share of users can be expeditiously served, it may not be reliable for time-sensitive traffic such as warnings and interactive resource management, unless Internet traffic can be prioritized. Wi th the rapid development of mobile telephony, followed by web based communication, it has become an invaluable tool for disaster relief workers, which includes wide range of national and international aid agencies, (who are able to coordinate team activities while in the field, and quickly mobilize emergency actions such as evacuation).

Chapter 3 ICT framework in Bangladesh :Bangladesh has created a simplistic model to guide disaster risk reduction and emergency response management efforts in Bangladesh. The model has three key elements and ensures that the move to a more comprehensive risk reduction culture remains central to all efforts.3.1 Disaster risk management and emergency response effort in Bangladesh

Fig 3.1 : ICT in disaster management Framework

3.2 DISASTER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IN BANGLADESH

The Disaster Management and Relief Division (DM&RD), MoFDM of the Government of Bangladesh has the responsibility for coordinating national disaster management efforts across all agencies. In January 1997 the Ministry issued the Standing Orders on Disaster (SOD) to guide and monitor disaster management activities in Bangladesh. The SOD have been prepared with the avowed objective of making the concerned persons understand their duties and responsibilities regarding disaster management at all levels, and accomplishing them. All Ministries, Divisions/Departments and Agencies shall prepare their own Action Plans in respect of their responsibilities under the Standing Orders for efficient implementation. The National Disaster Management Council (NDMC) and Inter-Ministerial Disaster Management Coordination Committee (IMDMCC) will ensure coordination of disaster related activities at the National level. Coordination at District, Thana and Union levels will be done by the respective District, Thana and Union Disaster Management Committees. The Disaster Management Bureau will render all assistance to them by facilitating the process. A series of inter-related institutions, at both national and sub-national levels have been created to ensure effective planning and coordination of disaster risk reduction and emergency response management. 3.3 At the national level 1. National Disaster Management Council (NDMC) headed by the Honourable Prime Minister to formulate and review the disaster management policies and issue directives to all concerns. 2. Inter-Ministerial Disaster Management Co-ordination Committee (IMDMCC) headed by the Hon'ble Minister in charge of the Disaster Management and Relief Division (DM&RD) to implement disaster management policies and decisions of NDMC / Government. 3. National Disaster Management Advisory Committee (NDMAC) headed by an experienced person having been nominated by the Honourable Prime Minister. 4. National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (NPDRR) headed by Secretary, DM&RD and DG, DMB functions as the member secretary. This platform shall coordinate and provide necessary facilitation to the relevant stakeholders. 5. Earthquake Preparedness and Awareness Committee (EPAC) headed by Honorable minister for MoFDM and DG, DMB act as member secretary 6. Vi. Cyclone Preparedness Program Implementation Board (CPPIB) headed by the Secretary, Disaster Management and Relief Division to review the preparedness activities in the face of initial stage of an impending cyclone. 7. Cyclone Preparedness Programme (CPP) Policy Committee headed by Honourable Minister, MoFDM and Secretary, DM&RD act as member secretary. Disaster Management Training and Public Awareness Building Task Force (DMTATF) headed by the Director General of Disaster Management Bureau (DMB) to coordinate the disaster related training and public awareness activities of the Government, NGOs and other organizations. 8. Focal Point Operation Coordination Group of Disaster Management (FPOCG) headed by the Director General of DMB to review and coordinate the activities of various National Plan for Disaster Management 42 departments/agencies related to disaster management and also to review the Contingency Plan prepared by concerned departments. 9. NGO Coordination Committee on Disaster Management (NGOCC) headed by the Director General of DMB to review and coordinate the activities of concerned NGOs in the country. 10. Committee for Speedy Dissemination of Disaster Related Warning/ Signals (CSDDWS) headed by the Director General of DMB to examine, ensure and find out the ways and means for the speedy dissemination of warning/ signals among the people. 3.4 At sub-national levels 1. District Disaster Management Committee (DDMC) headed by the Deputy Commissioner (DC) to coordinate and review the disaster management activities at the District level. 2. Upazila Disaster Management Committee (UZDMC) headed by the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) to coordinate and review the disaster management activities at the Upazila level. 3. Union Disaster Management Committee (UDMC) headed by the Chairman of the Union Parishad to coordinate, review and implement the disaster management activities of the concerned Union. 4. Pourashava Disaster Management Committee (PDMC) headed by Chairman of Pourashava (municipality) to coordinate, review and implements the disaster management activities within its area of jurisdiction. 5. City Corporation Disaster Management Committee (CCDMC) headed by the Mayor of City Corporations to coordinate, review and implement the disaster management activities within its area of jurisdiction.

3.5 National Disaster Management Council (NDMC) At the apex level, the National Disaster Management Council is established to provide policy guidance towards disaster risk reduction and emergency response management in Bangladesh. The Council is multi-sectoral and inter-disciplinary in nature, with public, private and civil society participation involving all concerned entities within a country including representation from the United Nations.

Responsibilities of National Disaster Management Council 1. Review national disaster management system and provide strategic advice for disaster risk reduction and emergency response management 2. Review policy and planning documents on disaster management and provide strategic advice 3. Promote dialogue across sectors with a view to integrate disaster risk reduction into sectoral development plans and programmes 4. Promote awareness regarding disaster risk reduction among top policy makers 5. Evaluate disaster preparedness measures and provide strategic advice. 6. Evaluate response and recovery measures, particularly after a large scale disaster and provide strategic direction towards improvement of the system and procedures, and 7. Facilitate coordination of multi-hazard and multi-sectoral measures in relation to disaster risk reduction and emergency response management.

3.6 Inter Ministerial Disaster Management Coordination Committee (IMDMCC)The Inter-Ministerial Disaster Management Coordination Committee is established at the national level to facilitate policy making, planning, programming and implementing measures relating to disaster risk reduction and emergency response management in Bangladesh. Responsibilities of IMDMCC Risk Reduction 1 Act on advice of the National Disaster Management Council 2 Recommend enactment of legislation, policies, Standing Orders and national level plans (sector and hazard specific) to the Cabinet Committee / Council of Advisers . 3 Review, revise and approve contingency plans of various First Responding Organizations .4. Approve guidelines and templates prescribed by the NPDM and SOD .5 Approve City Corporation Disaster Management Plans and District Disaster Management Plans . 6 Recommend an appropriate regulatory mechanism for the implementation of the Bangladesh Disaster Management Framework, including prevention, mitigation, preparedness, emergency response, recovery and rehabilitation. 7 Approve national and sub-national programs for disaster risk .8 Advocate and ensure disaster risk reduction is mainstreamed in development policies, plans and programmes . 9 Monitor DRR activities and programs, and keep the NDMC informed of their progress . 10 Review and promote emergency preparedness and public awareness capacity development in disaster management 11 Promote monitoring, evaluation, education, and research on disaster risk reduction and emergency response management Emergency Response 1 Evaluate emergency preparedness status and recommend corrective measures 2 Approve response and recovery plans 3 Promote preparedness activities, such as fire evacuation drills, search and rescue mock exercise, etc. 4 Ensure whole-of-government coordination in emergency response, relief and rehabilitation operation. 5 Approve guideline for multi-agency incident management6 Establish Urban Search and Rescue Taskforces.

3.7 National Disaster Management Advisory Committee (NDMAC) The National Disaster Management Advisory Committee has been formed in 19, November 2009.General Responsibilities: 1 Advise NDMC, IMDMCC, MoFDM and DMB on technical matters and socio-economic aspects of Disaster Risk Reduction and emergency response management. 2 Alert the Committee members about the risk of disaster and mitigation possibilities and encourage them in respect of workshop, training and research. 3 Create a forum for discussion by experts on the risk of disaster, opening opportunities for cooperation towards solution of problems relating to disaster management. 4 Recommend release of funds for special project works and also for introduction of special emergency methods or empowerment, if needed. 5 Recommend solution of problems identified by the DMB or any other agency/person. 6 Propose long term recovery plans. 7 Hold post-mortem or prepare final evaluation on programmes undertaken to meet the disaster and 8 Submit a report with recommendations to the NDMC.3.8 Ministry of Food and disaster Management Role in Disaster Management MoFDM is the focal point of the Government for disaster-related issues. MoFDM has sound disaster risk reduction and emergency response organizational structure. The agencies, including DMRD, DMB, DRR and CPP under the ministry have their specific responsibilities and roles related with disaster risk reduction and emergency response. The coordination rate of MoFDM is as below: avoid duplication ensure effective participation in disaster management by all stakeholders fill up the gaps and maximize the synergy impact promote transparency and accountability promote predictable leadership during disaster emergency optimize resource allocation and effective utilization 3.9 The Disaster Management Relief Division (DMRD): The DMRD has been given the mandate to carry out task for disaster risk reduction and emergency response related issues. The Secretary of the DMRD controls the activities of all officials engaged in emergency relief work. The division provides information to NDMC and IMDMCC to assist them in taking decisions.

3.10 Disaster Management Bureau (DMB): The DMB was created in 1993 to assist the DMRD with all necessary information during normal time, alert and warning stage, disaster stage and recovery stage and advise the government on all matters relating to disaster management. Disaster Relief and Rehabilitation (DRR): The DRR is responsible for carrying out the activities related to disaster relief, rehabilitation schemes, infrastructure and shelter construction, and also focus on relief material management and supply. 3.11 Cyclone Preparedness Programme (CPP): The main activities of CPP, a joint venture program of Govt. of Bangladesh and Bangladesh Red Cresent Society, including disseminating cyclone warning signals to local residents, assisting people in taking shelter, rescuing victims affected by a cyclone and providing first aid to people injured by a cyclone. The CPP has set an example by establishing a dedicated network of volunteers (over 48,000) and effectiveness during emergencies, especially cyclone. Data/Information Sharing The above organizations collect disaster loss information to mobilise governmental support for disaster management. The rapid information collection includes approximate loss and damage and emergency requirement which should be sent within one hour of occurrence of the disaster. Subsequently, detailed information on disaster loss and damage assessment is collected. The information is collected by local government using basic data sheets and sent to DMRD and DMB. Currently, there is no provisionoutlined in SOD to use space based information for rapid assessment, which also reflect in practice as space based information does not contribute enough to the rapid assessment despite presence of centres of excellence such as SPARRSO and CEGIS. The officials of the ministry are aware of the supportive function of space based information and are considering to use it for disaster management. National Plan for Disaster Management (NPDM) 2010-2015 defines use of the space-based technology and GIS for hazard assessment mapping. Constraints and challenges Although, the space based information is used as the reference information for disaster risk management and emergency response, it has not entered in the decision making process. The obvious reason is that it is not fully considered in the SOD and NPDM. Consistent efforts of awareness generation and capacity building is the prime need for decision makers. Additionally, emphasis should be given to develop capacity of DMB and DRR to be able to use expertise and the services offered by the organizations such as SPARRSO and CEGIS.

3.12 Ministry of Defence Role in Disaster Management The Ministry of Defence is responsible for providing effective support to civil authorities with regards to dissemination of warning signals, evacuation, rescue and rehabilitation operations as and when required. However, it is the Arms Forces Division under Prime Ministers Office who undertakes utilization of Armed Forces in aid of the civil authorities when required based coordination with MoFDM. BMD, SPARRSO and SoB are the three information providing agencies for disaster management under the Ministry of Defence. Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) is responsible for weather condition monitoring and forecast. It contributes to disaster management by providing early warning for cyclones and has established information dissemination mechanism. The BMD has established dedicated communication link with Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System in order to facilitate early warning on tsunami.

Bangladesh Space Research and Remote Sensing Organization (SPARRSO) is responsible for supplying satellite data and analyzed product for various purposes disaster management. Satellite data on cloud formations in the region is received hourly and any impending disaster like depression; cyclone, floods etc. are reported to the Government and also to BMD, BWDB, BAF and other relevant agencies.Survey of Bangladesh (SoB) is the national surveying and mapping agency under the Ministry of Defence of Bangladesh. SoB has pivotal role in setting up National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) and providing base maps and special mapping products relevant to disaster risk management. Data/Information Sharing The imagery of four meteorological satellites namely MTSAT, NOAA, METEOSAT and INSAT could be received and used by BMD for weather monitoring and early warning. The RADAR systems are also used integrated with satellite image. The weather forecast information, special weather bulletins, warning information and alert signals were disseminated and publicized to all concerns. The SPARRSO receives images from six satellites (NOAA, FY-2C, Aqua/Terra, MTSAT and METOP) with its three ground receiving stations. SPARRSO maintains data archive of the images procured for specific applications which include high resolution optical and microwave satellite. Recently, Sentinel Asia has approached SPARRSO to install WINDS receiving station to receive images during emergencies. The SPARRSO is responsible for analyzing and supplying space based information, images and products to BMD, DMB and other concerned agencies. A geo-database with twenty thematic layers for planning, management and decision making in different sectors is available with SPARRSO. The Survey of Bangladesh (SoB) is in the process of updating 1:50,000 scale maps and generating 1:25,000 scale maps based on the aerial photographs. In addition to paper maps, SOB plans to supply digital formats of maps to the end users. The updated maps will cover the places of interest for disaster management such as shelter for evacuation during cyclones. The requirements of main stakeholders, including DMB, are considered by sharing the information contents of these topographic maps. Constraints and challenges The access to moderate and high resolution satellite data is one of the main challenge in using space based information for disaster management. At present the ground stations at SPARRSO mainly receives data from low resolution meteorological satellites. The bilateral agreements need to be in place to receive such data from neighboring countries. Another challenge is that existing capacity of the staff in the skills related to image is not adequate to explore full potential of the space based resources. The advance training on image processing, including microwave data processing, is need of the time. One of the key constraints is lack of appropriate policy and mechanism to implement the policy for sharing the space based information in timely manner between the organizations governed by different Ministries. The channel for information exchange between the organizations governed by the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Food and Disaster Management is not direct which causes huge delays in information sharing. Regarding the baseline and thematic data availability in digital form, SoB implied that it will take longer time to make such products available due to technical problem. The geo-databases developed by CEGIS, CDMP and SPARRSO are available with respective organizations. However, there is need of coordination mechanism the avoid duplication of strenuous efforts involved in digitization and offer mutual benefits by promoting data sharing.

3.13 Ministry of Water Resource Role in Disaster Management The Ministry of Water Resources is the apex body of the Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh for development and management of the whole water resources of the country. Flood Forecast Warning Centre (FFWC) and Centre for Environmental and Geographic Information Services (CEGIS) are the centres of this Ministry visited by TAM team. Prime duties of these centres in relation to disaster management are as follows: - Undertake water related disaster risk assessment and activities to reduce the potential loss in high risk areas. - Monitoring water level of all major river system and provide flood forecast and early warning information to all concerns. - Undertake loss and damage assessment of water related disaster and manage the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the destroyed infrastructure.

3.14 FFWC FFWC was founded in 1972 under Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) of the ministry and performs the duties of flood risk assessment, flood prone area identification, flood forecasting, early warning and alert information dissemination. 3.15 CEGIS CEGIS was established in 2002 as a public trust in 2002 by the government of Bangladesh and has been functioning under the aegis of the Ministry of Water Resources and a Board of Trustees. The Centre supports management of natural resources for sustainable socio-economic development using integrated environmental analysis, geographic information systems, remote sensing, and information technology. Data/Information Sharing BMD shares the satellite imagery and meteorological data with FFWC. FFWC analyses this data in combination with water level data from field observation to produce flood forecast maps, situation reports on flood levels and flood inundation map. Those outputs are distributed to decision makers and the response community. The CEGIS have established geo-database covering entire Bangladesh including integrated coastal database and climate change database. The geo-database integrated with space based information has been effectively used for drought monitoring, erosion prediction, vulnerability assessment and resources planning by CEGIS. Constraints and challenges Due to self governance nature of CEGIS, sharing of geo-database and mapping products are on cost recovery basis which calls for financial provisions by the potential users in case they want to avail services from CEGIS. On the contrary, CEGIS does not have free access to the national data resources such as satellite data received and archived by SPARRSO. The challenge is to formulate policies for effective cooperation mechanism between these centres of excellence in the areas of remote sensing and geo-informatics. 3.16 Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC)Role in Disaster Management Vision of BTRC is to facilitate affordable telecommunication services of acceptable quality for all regardless of their location. Data/Information Sharing Some of the specific aspects of BTRC involvement with disaster management stakeholders are as follows: - Establish networks with all the mobile phone companies for speedy dissemination of early warning information to community - Assist MoFDM and BMD in establishing an effective early warning system - Ensure distribution of warning signals to pre-determined centres quickly via mobile and establish wireless link with all inhabited islands. Constraints and challenges BTRC is aware of the need to plan emergency communications systems in cooperation with DMB based on the past experiences during cyclones when all existing communication systems were out of order for several days.

3.17 Comprehensive Disaster Management Programme (CDMP) In Bangladesh, UN and other agencies provide great support to Bangladesh government through a joint program implementation. One of the key programme is CDMP supported by multiple donor agencies namely AusAid, DFID, European Union, Norwegian Embassy, SIDA and UNDP. The programme is jointly implemented by the UNDP and DMRD, MoFDM, Government of Bangladesh. The programme has already entered the Phase II (2010 to 2014)v

Role in Disaster Management CDMP aims to reduce Bangladesh's vulnerability to adverse natural and anthropogenic hazards and extreme events, including the devastating potential impacts of climate change. The six outcomes of CDMP II (from 2010 to 2014) is institution strengthening in comprehensive risk reduction, rural risk reduction, urban risk reduction, improved disaster preparedness & response, disaster-proofing of development funding, and community level adaptation to climate risk. CDMP II aims to institutionalise the adoption of risk reduction approaches, not just in its host Ministry of Food and Disaster Management, but more broadly across thirteen key ministries and agencies. Data/Information Sharing The approach of CDMP is to incubate the programme within CDMP before the programme enters in the Government departments for full scale implementation. The uses space based information and GIS for disaster preparedness and risk assessment. A platform for information sharing is established for risk assessment which includes a component of geo database. Some of the information systems that make use of geospatial technologies are - infrastructure inventory database, earthquake micro zonation mapping, disaster incident database, cyclone shelter database etc. CDMP has strong technical capacity to support 3S (RS, GIS, GPS) product development. Constraints and challenges The main challenge is to ensure that best practices and tools incubated by CDMP gets acceptance by DMB and other stakeholders. The systems developed at CDMP face constraints due to non-availability of baseline data, access to satellite images and weak linkages between GIS and disaster related databases. The best practices of CDMP will be successful if smooth flow of information in the current bureaucratic set up is ensured.3.18 Disaster Risk management framework 1. DM efforts equally focus on disaster risk reduction and Emergency Response The disaster risk management structure is well established in Bangladesh, which covers entire disaster management cycle. There are comprehensive plans to focus on risk reduction activities, early warning stage and emergency response. The disaster management framework also considers the disaster risk reduction as one of the measure for climate adaptation. The management structure at national level covers all the stakeholder ministries to establish national mechanism for policy guidance and coordination. At local level, the coordination is taken care by involving local governance bodies such as city corporation, district, Upazilla etc. The SOD, which reflects the vision of the government, clearly outlines the role and responsibilities of the ministries, divisions, agencies, organizations, committees, public representatives and citizens to cope with any natural disaster. The National Plan for Disaster Management describes expected outcomes and action agenda for 2010-2015, with provides direction and perspectives to address disaster management in comprehensive manner. SOD and National Plan for Disaster Management guarantee the sustainability of disaster management efforts in Bangladesh. 2. Integrated approaches towards disaster management Disasters like flood, often triggered by cyclones in Bangladesh, are often aggravated by environmental degradation. The links between environment and disaster risk are two-fold. Environmental degradation accentuates disaster risk on the one hand, while on the other, disasters damage the environment thus increasing peoples vulnerability to future disasters. It is, therefore, argued that a DRR approach that integrates concerns about the environment would have both environmental and disaster risk reduction benefits. Likewise, climate change adaptation inter-links with disaster risk reduction . These two issues have had two distinct histories, but are increasingly beginning to merge. One cannot adapt to climate change without disaster risk reduction. Disaster risk reduction provides insight into how to adapt to incremental change, while disaster preparedness is better strengthened when informed by the long term challenges of climate change and environmental degradation. HFA review for 2011 clearly mentions that National Disaster Management Council (NDMC) outlined disaster and climate risk reduction tasks for the ministries, agencies, committees, civil society, organizations, non-government organizations and citizens. National Plan for Disaster Management (2010-2015) approved in 2010 also approved Bangladesh Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan (BCCSAP 2009). Disaster and climate risk reduction fund and climate change adaptation fund has been allocated in the national budget. CDMP also intend to incorporate disaster and climate risk in the policy and plans of the stakeholder ministries and organizations. 3. Adoption of space technology in effective early warning One of the most effective example of risk reduction activity in Bangladesh is early warning of cyclones, which have brought down the number of deaths from few hundred thousands in the past to few hundreds in the recent years. The space based information has been effectively used for cyclone forecast and early warning by BMD. The dissemination of the early warning information to the community level is effectively done by the CPP with help of its over 48,000 volunteers. 3.19 Technological awareness and capacity with respect to space-basedinformationMuch of the success of saving lives during recent cyclones can be attributed to the weather forecast and early warning capacity developed by BMD that involves satellite based meteorology. However, contribution of earth observation (remote sensing) satellites in disaster management and emergency response is not as significant as it should be, thereby indicates underuse of the capacity existed in the centres of excellence (SPARRSO and CEGIS) based in Bangladesh. The immediate emergency response is still planned based on the reports on damage assessment obtained from the field persons alone. 1. High level of awareness at decision-makers level The TAM team had the opportunity to talk to heads of government departments. The awareness level on the use of space technology is generally high, which is something to be expected considering the space-related infrastructure development 37and capacity building activities carried out by SPARRSO and BMD. The projects implemented by the centres of excellence such as CEGIS contribute significantly to employ use of remote sensing and GIS in development planning and disaster management. The organisations like SPARRSO and CEGIS offer their services to several ministries to incorporate geospatial technologies in their activities. Early warning provided by BMD has been the key factor in saving life of people due to frequent cyclones that hit Bangladesh. This involvement by institutions in using geospatial technologies potentially arises out of high awareness levels among decision makers on the benefits of space-based technologies in their respective areas. This is one of the strengths in Bangladesh that was noted by the TAM team. However, the stakeholders mentioned constant need for awareness programmes to the decision makers at high and mid-levels. As technologies advance, ways via which space-based information is accessed and used changes dramatically. Decision makers need to be informed of these technologies and their benefits in order to implement policies that promote appropriate uptake and usage in national development plans, including disaster management and related sectors of natural resources development and environmental management. The telecommunication and disaster management authorities are fully aware of the importance of satellite communications and satellite navigation in the disaster management, considering their recent experiences that mobile phone communication was out of order for several days during major cyclones. 2. Technical capacity exists, although not adequate, in the key institutions It is evident that Bangladesh Metrological Department (BMD) has operationalised benefits of space technology by establishing strong weather forecast and early warning system, although there is concern about lack of optimal infrastructure and trained human resource. FFWC/IWM and CEGIS have developed operational capacity on risk identification of water related disasters based on geospatial information, remote sensing imagery and flood early warning system. Geo database established by CEGIS is valuable asset to facilitate the space based information application for disaster risk reduction. 38CDMP has been able to demonstrate the operational use of geospatial information for disaster risk reduction. There is a strong foundation in Bangladesh to apply space and geospatial technologies in disaster management, with defined and interrelated stakeholders. The SPARRSO act as a focal point that links various stakeholders on the matters related to space technology including government, industry, international institutions and academia. Translating this capacity to offer direct benefits to the disaster management has been hampered by lack of access to requisite geospatial data and the absence of a coordinated, government-driven, and functional National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) for Bangladesh. These gaps can be looked at as an opportunity for further strengthening the inter-departmental cooperation. Strengthening capacities of provider organizations like SPARRSO and CEGIS and user organizations like DMB and DRR will certainly form a good foundation for sustainably introducing applications of geospatial technologies in disaster management. There are a number of key institutions within Government with competent, well trained professionals and technicians that are currently adept at use space technologies (RS and GIS, Satellite communication and satellite meteorology), as is evident from the fact that over 50 personnel in Bangladesh are trained by the Centre for Space Science Technology Education for Asia and the Pacific (CSSTEAP) based in India. Discussions with the stakeholders during the workshop revealed that efforts in capacity building need to be consistent, especially in the areas of using satellite based earth observation and satellite meteorology. It was felt that a critical number of staff from the DMB, DRR and other stake-holder organizations need to be trained. This will result in the capacity in the user department to derive benefits of the services offered by those technical organizations. 3. Status of fundamental datasets and National Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) The most crucial element to using space-based information is availability of spatial data infrastructure (SDI) and a baseline GIS database. SDI is a framework of spatial 39data, metadata, users and tools that are interactively connected in order to use spatial data in an efficient and flexible way. Another definition is the technology, policies, standards, human resources, and related activities necessary to acquire, process, distribute, use, maintain, and preserve spatial data. Use of space-based information inevitably calls for the availability of a spatial data infrastructure (SDI). SDI forms the base to use any other information that is spatial in nature, including remote sensing data. In other words, remote sensing data can be considerably more useful when integrated with other baseline and ancillary data. Currently SDI guidelines have not been formally released by any organization. The mission team understood that Survey of Bangladesh (SOB) is entrusted with an official responsibility to establish SDI in consultation with other organizations in Bangladesh. There is a substantial amount of GIS data covering the entire country but it is not cohesive. The mission team could not get indication that any single agency currently has the entire baseline GIS data for the entire country which can be shared with all other departments and institutions involved in using of geospatial information. This seriously limits the integration of information available in various government organisations and its use in disaster risk reduction and emergency response.

3.20 Strengthening disaster management by relevant employing geospatialand IT tools 1. Foster contribution of geospatial and space based information during disaster event It was noted that DiDirectorate of Relief and Rehabilitation (DRR) plans emergency response activities based on the information received through the Project Implementation Officers (PIO) at Upazilla level. This mechanism has not employed relevant geospatial tools to collate such information. The mission team felt strong need of such tools which will bring all field information together in GIS platform in order to generate situation maps. These maps, in conjunction with satellite images, can provide much precise and meaningful information for emergency response planning. The mission team felt strong need of generating awareness about in this area at DRR. The mission team was told that early estimates on the post disaster damage assessment that are based on the preliminary assessment differ significantly when more data is made available at later stage. This the result being that the relief operations are performed in absence of reliable and accurate information needed to support its activities. This also exposes the fact that about lack of coordination between the technology organizations and user departments likes DRR. On the contrary, a huge amount of disaster related data collected by the field officers is not available to the organizations involved in providing geospatial services and geospatial data generated by the organizations is not easily accessible by the user department.

2. Need to update disaster management documents and guidelines to include role of space-based and geospatial information Developing a clear and coherent strategy is of paramount importance for enforcing inputs from space-based information in disaster management. Based on the discussion between the TAM team, DMB and other stakeholders about the important documents such as SOD and National Plan for Development Management, it was felt these documents need to provide guidelines on improving disaster management by strengthening the stakeholders engaged in providing relevant information using space technology (earth observation satellites, meteorological satellites, satellite based communication and navigation).

3.Use of international mechanisms Space community, mainly SPARSO is aware of international mechanisms like International Charter, Sentinel Asia and SERVIR. However, disaster management community is largely unaware of how these mechanisms can be effectively used during emergencies. Sentinel Asia is an initiative to make the best use of earth observation satellites data for disaster management in the Asia-Pacific region. Besides emergency situation, member country can join working groups related to the flood and wildfires which provides valuable data and models for risk assessment. As one of the member or Sentinel Asia, SPARRSO can access the images through Sentinel Asia mechanism via dedicated communication system WINDS. The International Charter Space and Major Disaster provides rapid maps for emergency response based on the latest satellite images. Bangladesh can activate the International Charter in the case of a major disaster in consultation with the local UN Office (WFP, UNDP etc.). UN-SPIDER is authorized to activate International Charter if requests come through local UN agencies. Bangladesh is member state of ICIMOD, an intergovernmental institute based in Kathmandu, Nepal. ICIMOD is one of the host of SERVIR, named as SERVIR Himalaya. Bangladesh should take benefit of SERVIR by availing the services specially improving flood forecast. Detailed about SERVIR is mentioned below. SERVIR- Enabling the use of Earth observations and predictive models for timely decision making to benefit society SERVIR is a Regional Visualization and Monitoring System that integrates earth observations (e.g. satellite imagery) and forecast models together with in situ data and knowledge for timely decision- making to benefit society, which was initiated in 2005 by NASA and USAID. There arethree regional offices under the system till now, namely SERVIR Africa, SERVIR Latin America and SERVIR Himalaya. SERVIR addresses the nine societal benefit areas of the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS), namely: disasters, ecosystems, biodiversity, weather, water, climate, oceans, health, agriculture, and energy. The effort intensively utilizes and integrates NASA satellite observations and predictive models, along with other geographic information (satellite, sensor, and field-based) for environmental monitoring, natural resource planning and disaster management. The objectives of the project is to implement access to and sharing of environmental data; Strengthen regional infrastructure to facilitate SERVIR national implementation and to build a community of data custodians and users around the SERVIR Data Portal. Till now, SERVIR has become a platform for collaboration and cross-agency coordination, international partnerships, delivery services and applications, supporting not only national governments, but also universities, NGOs and the private sector.

Emergency Communication BTRC and DMB are already discussing ways to promote disaster management communication. During recent cyclones (such as cyclone Alia), often mobile based communication was out of order for several days which hampered relief operations. Although communication radios are available in the south coastal belt, the need of satellite based emergency communication system remains vital. The priority is to support the coastal belt that is prone to impact of cyclones. It is important to include armed forces in DM communication who are often deployed in case of disaster. The discussion with BTRC confirmed that the resources related to the satellite based emergency communication need to be stationed in Bangladesh for easy and timely deployment during cyclone season.

Chapter 4Major natural disaster in Bangladesh and Scope of ICT Implementation

4.1Natural Disasters History in Bangladesh 2013This list contains allmajor natural disastersin Bangladesh in 2013 with detail report.

July 2013July 10: Bangladesh flash floods affect nearly 10,000Flash floods triggered by the heavy downpour affected nearly 10,000 people across Bangladesh.July 8: Tripura earthquake shakes BangladeshTremor was felt in several parts of northeast India and Bangladesh.June 2013June 28: Flash floods in Noakhali, BangladeshAt least 25,000 Bengalis have been affected by the flash floods in Hatiya, Subarnachar and Companiganj upazilas of Noakhali.June 10: Flash flood hits Lalmonirhat, BangladeshRecent flash floods in Bangladesh have affected over 40 villages in Lalmonirhat, The Daily Star reported.May 2013May 16: Cyclone Mahasen hits BangladeshCyclone Mahasen hits Patuakhali coast of Bangladesh. One killed in Bhola.May 12: Cyclone Mahasen in BangladeshTropical cyclone Mahasen originating in the southeast Bay of Bengal is a potential major threat to Bangladesh and Myanmar.April 2013April 28: Bangladesh Norwester claims 5Norwester claimed five lives including two children in Tangail, Sirajganj and Gaibandha area of Bangladesh.March 2013March 23: Tornado in Bangladesh claims 14 injures500Tornado in Bangladesh has claimed fourteen lives and injured more than 500 people.March 17: Storm in BangladeshStorm sinks 2 trawlers in Bangladesh.March 13: Landslide in Sylhet, BangladeshLandslide in Sylhet, Bangladesh has killed three people and injured 10 others.4.2 Kinds of natural disaster in Bangladesh FloodCyclones, Storm Surges and TornadoRiver Bank ErosionEarthquakeDroughtArsenic Contamination and Salinity IntrusionTsunamiFire, Infrastructure Collapse and Landslide 4.2.1 FLOOD4.2.1.1 When flood is happen

Floods are annual phenomena with the most severe occurring during the months of July and August. Regular river floods affect 20% of the country increasing up to 68% in extreme years. The floods of 1988, 1998 and 2004 were particularly catastrophic, resulting in large-scale.Approximately 37%, 43%, 52% and 68% of the country is inundated with floods of return periods of 10, 20, 50 and 100 years respectively (MPO, 1986). Four types of flooding occur in Bangladesh.

Flash floods caused by overflowing of hilly rivers of eastern and northern Bangladesh (in April-May and September-November)Rain floods caused by drainage congestion and heavy rains.Monsoon floods caused by major rivers usually in the monsoon (during June-September).Coastal floods caused by storm surges.

Fig4.1 : Flood water flowing 4.2.1.2 Bangladesh: Preparing for flood disaster Oxfam has helped people prepare for the yearly floods in Bangladesh, which are exacerbated by climate change.Raised housesRaising the ground above flood level helps protect peoples homes. Grasses and trees planted around this raised house prevent erosion. We grow vegetables like pumpkins on the roof, and fruit trees like mango and jackfruit that can be eaten during or after the floods. These households did not go under water so this food remained available to the families living here, says a Kodvanu resident.Cluster villagesCommunity leader, Mohammed Abu Ysef says, "Before this cluster village, life was very hard for people. Every year the area was flooded. Now we feel there's no monsoon because we don't face any of the problems."Flood sheltersA flood shelter is a three to five acre area of raised ground (around 18 to 35 football pitches). People can bring their livestock, possessions, and even their homes, to the safety of a flood shelter. Flood shelters can accommodate 100-300 families. Facilities include a community room for those without shelter, tube-wells, latrines, a fishpond, and areas for vegetable cultivation and tree plantations.Clean waterFlooding can contaminate water supplies, leading to potentially fatal diseases. Oxfam works with villagers to maintain safe supplies of water. Here a villager from Hari, India is drawing water from a raised tube-well. The top of the pipe of some tube-wells can be quickly extended, so keeping it above the level of any floods.4.2.1.3 BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AS FLOOD CONTROL MEASURESFlooding is a natural phenomenon, which cannot be prevented. Complete flood control is not in the interests of most Bangladeshi farmers. The flood control measures and policies should be directed to mitigation of flood damage, rather than flood prevention. Resources should be allocated to help people adopt a life style that is conformable to their natural environment. Indigenous solutions through changing the housing structures and crop patterns can help reduce flood damage. Moreover, good governance, appropriate environmental laws, acts and ordinances will be necessary to achieve sustainable economic development and to reduce any environmental degradation. In addition, implementation of an improved real-time flood and drought control warning system can reduce damage caused by floods. A greater understanding of the processes that contribute to increased flooding propensity, however, can help us mitigate the adverse effects on human lives, environment. To mitigate flooding propensity in Bangladesh, both the GOB and the people will have to shift their paradigms, as well as will have to adopt BMPs in agriculture, forestry, land us planning, water resources management, and urbanization. The BMPs pertaining to flood control are those activities that will help reduce the run-off, will increase the carrying capacity of drainage system, and will increase land elevations with respect to sea level or riverbeds.4.2.1.4 ICT for Flood Management : Special FeaturesBangladesh has a large number of catchment areas, rivers and related river basins. Floods have been recurrent phenomena with concomitant loss of lives, properties, infrastructure and public utilities. In fact, floods in some of the States like Assam and Bihar are cyclic phenomena. Another issue on effective DM during floods is the fact that some of the causes of floods and consequent damages in India originate in neighboring countries that add new dimension to the complexities involved in early warning (EW), forecasting mitigation and preparedness activities in DM continuum.Bangladesh is regularly affected by floods due to the high discharges in the Ganga-Brahmaputra- Meghna river system. The main causes of floods are widespread heavy rainfall in the catchment areas and inadequate capacity of the river channel to contain the flood flow within the banks of the river. In the tidal reach areas, widespread inundation occurs where high floods in the river synchronises with the high tidal levels from the sea. The discharge of the river Brahmaputra is mostly contributed by the snowmelt in China (Tibet) on the other side of the Himalayas before it enters Arunachal Pradesh.In Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Meghalaya, rainfall is quite heavy and this contributes substantial amount of flow in the river. The Brahmaputra River causes specific problems in Assam due to siltation, which requires periodic dredging of the riverbed on priority to minimize the impact of flood and soil erosion. Satellite imagery of flood affected areas on GIS platform will enable Decision Support System to guide flood mitigation program. Inter-state coordination, with installation of an automatic Alarm System employing appropriate level/discharge sensors, can be used to pre-empt disasters. Effective and timely information systems, and contingency plans for dealing with such disasters, are the answers. The present manual system of marking of water level is to be converted to an automatic danger level overflow alarm system using intelligent sensors, which will flash the information instantly to the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC)/ District Emergency Operations Centre (DEOC) and will enable quick evacuation and save lives and property, is the need of the hour.Flooding along with major river basins such as Brahmaputra, Ganga, Yamuna and so on dictates requisite communication support system, warning, forecasting, preparedness and subsequent response and recovery. This impacts positioning of communication centers, towers and allied power pack equipment.This also dictates requirement of mobile communication equipment, whether man portable, or transportable on Vehicles, Boats and Helicopters. An emerging dimension in the floods scene is the flooding in cities and towns. This is a rising phenomena due to increasing incidents of sudden and heavy rainfall, unplanned management and indiscriminate encroachment of waterways, inadequate drainage and lack of maintenance of its infrastructure.4.2.1.5 Flood forecasting and Warning NetworkFloods, heavy or catastrophic ones, are bound to occur periodically. They cannot be prevented or controlled. Embankments and big dams moderate floods to some extent, but may themselves cause problems if water has to be released in the interest of the safety of structures. Increasing green cover in the catchment area, extensive water harvesting, groundwater recharging, and so on, may perhaps slightly reduce the incidence of floods. However, floods will occur from time to time, and we have to learn to live with them, minimize harm and damage and maximize benefits.Flood forecasts help in optimum regulations of multipurpose reservoirs with or without flood cushions in them. This has been rendered by Central Water Commission (CWC) to cover almost all major flood prone inter-State river basins of India. CWC operates a Nation Wide Network of 945 hydrological observation stations distributed in various river basins. At present, there are 145 level forecasting stations on major rivers and 27 inflow forecasting stations on major dams/ barrages. It covers 9 major river systems in the country, including 65 river sub-basins pertaining to 15 hazard prone states. Normally forecasts are issued 12 to 48 hours in advance, depending upon the river terrain, the location of the flood forecasting sites and base stations. The Flood Forecasting and Warning network of the CWC is mostly based on hydro-meteorological data recorded by observers and communicated by wireless and/or telephone. Very few river basins have been covered with automatic sensors for observations and telemetry system for communication of data. To overcome the limitations of existing system, the CWC has undertaken various expansion and modernization schemes to cover more areas and to make forecasting more efficient and reliable. The IMD has also taken up the expansion of its network of Automatic Rain Gauges. The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MOES) is making efforts for the procurement of 12 Doppler Weather Radars (DWRs) for continuous monitoring of evolving extreme weather phenomena including heavy rainfall events along the coastal areas apart from tracking cyclones. Gradually, the DWR network would cover the whole country and in the process all the major river basins as well.Hydrological data from various river basins that are collected by IMD, CWC, and State Governments (collected by using Bureau of Indian Standards approved automatic sensors for rainfall and river flow measurements) are planned to be stored in centralized mechanism for distribution and archival.Similarly, Computer- based comprehensive catchment scale hydrological and hydrodynamic models, interfaced with flood plain inundation mapping tools, will be developed. Forecast will be disseminated using computer networks and satellite (e.g. Internet, e-mail, VSAT), the terrestrial communication network connectivity of the National Informatics Centre (NIC) etc.The efforts of CWC, IMD, NRSA and State Governments will be integrated and a mechanism developed wherein during monsoon, the representatives of all these organizations and the basin states work together in formulation and dissemination of reliable forecast and warning.4.2.2 Cyclones, Storm Surges and Tornado4.2.2.1 what is Cyclones, Storm Surges and Tornado Tropical cyclones from the Bay of Bengal accompanied by storm surges are one of the major disasters in Bangladesh. The country is one of the worst sufferers of all cyclonic casualties in the world. The high number of casualties is due to the fact that cyclones are always associated with storm surges. Storm surge height in excess of 9m is not uncommon in this region. For example, the 1876 cyclone had a surge height of 13.6 m and in 1970 the height was 9.11 m (WARPO, 2005). In fact, the 1970 Cyclone is the deadliest Cyclone that has hit Bangladesh coastline. With a wind-speed of about 224 km per hour and associated storm surge of 6.1 to 9.11 Meter, it was responsible for death of about 300,000 people.

4.2.2.2 ICT for Cyclones Management: Special FeaturesCyclonic vulnerability in a recurrent is a ground reality for the Indian Sub continent. With a long coastline of approximately 7500 KMs of flood coastal terrain, high population density, geographical location, topological feature of its coastal zone, is extremely vulnerable to cyclones and related hazards like storms tides, high velocity winds and heavy rains. In fact, nearly 1/3rd of the countrys population is vulnerable to cyclone related hazards. Within 13 Coastal States and Union Territories, 84 coastal districts are affected one way or the other by tropical cyclones. Four States namely Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and West Bengal and Union Territory of Puducherry along the east coast and Gujarat in the west coast are more vulnerable to cyclones and associated hazards. This vulnerability, coupled with a large geographical spread, dictates a comparable intensive deployment of EW, forecasting and ICT support over the entire DM continuum. From the ICT angle, the key facet, which needs to be? Clearly understood, is the terrain configuration, with related geographical complexities and demographic diversity, which is to be taken into consideration while planning for ICT systems. Of particular concern are the issues related to proximity of Communication Centers and related POPs (Points of Presence) to the coast lines as also capabilities of communication towers to with stand high cyclonic wind pressures so that these are not damaged or destroyed during cyclone, when most needed. The cyclone prone districts are distributed across the coastal States and Island territories of the country and have diverse topographical conditions. The network technology to reach, the EW to the last mile must be able to operate under these diverse topographical conditions each of the 13 cyclone prone States/ UTs in the country. Timely receipts allow sufficient lead time for the community to respond to the advice received from the district/sub-district level and take appropriate action. The typical duration of a cyclone, that hits the Indian coast, is 3 to 4 days from the time it forms to the time it hits the land. The lead time from detection of a cyclone to dissemination of the warning is variable and depends on the distance on the point of formation from the coast.4.2.2.3Cyclone Warning System in BangladeshBangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) is the source of cyclone warning in Bangladesh. BMD generates the warning and passes this on to public media and preparedness units for dissemination and follow-up action at periodic intervals. There are separate warning system for maritime ports and river ports.There are major weaknesses in the cyclone warning system of the country. The existing cyclone warning system in Bangladesh is not something easy to understand, almost incomprehensible even to most of the educated people. The languages of special weather bulletins which are issued at the advent of cyclone formation and disseminated through radio and television are not simple, as a result the message it carries often fail to reach the general people. In the weather bulletins, simply storm surge height is forecasted without giving information about the stage (e.g. high/spring tide and low/neap tide) during the landfall of cyclones on the coast. The forecasting/warning system does not forecast the intensity of rainfall from the approaching cyclone. Finally, the state of accuracy of the forecasting/warnings of the arrival/landfall of cyclones is not out of question. In the past, many of the warnings of arrival landfall of destructive cyclones had been inaccurate. Some of these issues are being addressed in recent reviews but actual changes are still awaited.4.2.2.4 Ten principles common to development of Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems1. There is a strong political recognition of the benefits of EWS reflected in harmonized national and local disaster risk management policies, planning, legislation and budgeting. 2. Effective EWS are built upon four components: (i) hazard detection, monitoring and forecasting; (ii) analyzing risks and incorporation of risk information in emergency planning and warnings: (iii) disseminating timely and authoritative warnings, and (iv)community planning and preparedness.3. EWS stakeholders are identified and their roles and responsibilities and coordination mechanisms clearly defined and documented within national and local plans, legislation, directives, MOUs, etc.4. EWS capacities are supported by adequate resources (e.g., human, financial, equipment, etc.) at the national and local levels and the system is designed and for long-term sustainability. 5. Hazard, exposure and vulnerability information are used to carry-out risk assessments at different levels, as critical input into emergency planning and development of warning messages. 6. Warning messages are; (i) clear, consistent and include risk information, (ii) designed with consideration for linking threat levels to emergency preparedness and response actions (e.g., using color, flags, etc) and understood by authorities and the population, and (iii) issued by a single (or unified), recognized and authoritative source. 7. Warning dissemination mechanisms are able to reach the authorities, other EWS and the population at risk in a timely and reliable fashion.8. Emergency response plans are developed with consideration for hazard/risk levels, characteristics of the exposed communities.9. Training on hazard/risk/emergency preparedness awareness integrated in various formal and informal educational programmes with regular drills to ensure operational readiness.10. Effective feedback and improvement mechanisms are in place at all levels of EWS to provide systematic evaluation and ensure improvement over time.4.2.2.5 Possible way for Cyclone Forecasting and Warning Network Presently Area Cyclone Warning Centers (ACWC) of the IMD generate special warning bulletins and transmit them every hour in the local languages through the network of 252 analogue receivers installed in the field. This analogue network of Cyclone Warning Dissemination System (CWDS) is planned to be replaced by Digital CWDS (DCWDS) receivers, along with additional number of DCWDS stations all along the east and west coasts of Bangladesh. In addition to the analogue network of 252 analog receivers distributed in the field, presently 101 DCWDS stations are also operational along the coast of Andhra Pradesh and one in Lakshadweep, making the total number of CWDS / DCWDS receivers in position to be 353 with uplink stations at Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) Chennai and IMD at its Satellite Meteorological Division, New Delhi. Besides, IMD also uses other conventional modes of communication like telephone, FAX, radio and television for communicating warnings.Information on cyclone warnings is furnished on a real-time basis to the Control Room set up in the Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India. High-power Cyclone Detection Radars (CDRs) that are installed along the coastal belt of India and Satellite imagery received from weather satellite are used in detecting the development and movement of Tropical Cyclones over oceanic regions. Digital Cyclone Warning System developed by SAC, ISRO is DTH based Cyclone Warning and Dissemination system. The INSAT MSS type C Terminal (Hand-held type) receive Data based Cyclone warning and INSAT MSS type D Terminal (Hand-held type) receive Voice based Cyclone warning (on SCPC using DAMA).4.2.2.6 EXISTING METHODS IN STORM SURGE MODELLING RESEARCH 4.2.2.6.a Mathematical Studies and Hydrodynamic ModelsA number of hydrodynamic numerical models have been developed for storm surge generation and propagation. Numerical models, constructed by Reid and Bodine (1968), Sielecki and Wurtele (1970) and Flather and Heaps (1975), were able to simulate the extent of inundation, but not the actual processes of wave propagation, breaking, and interaction with the coastal structures. This approach was quite successful in predicting flooding due to a major tsunami in Chile (Hebenstreit et al.,1985). A very extensive and thorough study by Lewis and Adams (1983) resulted in a complicated numerical solution for the one-dimensional problem only. Kowalik and Bang (1987) derived a solution using a different numerical algorithm, but again, only to the one-dimensional case. Hibberd and Peregrine (1979) studied the runup and back-wash by considering the long wave equations together with the wave front condition represented by a bore. Numerical models have also been developed for simulating storm surges in the Bay of Bangol.4.2.2.7 All of the above mentioned models considered the following parameters for their calculations:-time,-elevation of the sea surface,-components of depth-mean current,-components of the wind-stress on the sea surface,-components of the bottom stress,-atmospheric pressure on the sea surface,-the total water depth,-the density of the sea water,-the acceleration due to gravity, and-the Coriolis parameter

4.2.3 Earthquake 4.2.3.1 What is earthquake? Earthquake is trembling or shaking movement of the earth's surface. Most earthquakes are minor tremors, while larger earthquakes usually begin with slight tremors, rapidly take the form of one or more violent shocks, and end in vibrations of gradually diminishing force called aftershocks. Earthquake is a form of energy of wave motion, which originates in a limited region and then spreads out in all directions from the source of disturbance. It usually lasts for a few seconds to a minute. The point within the earth where earthquake waves originate is called the focus, from where the vibrations spread in all directions. They reach the surface first at the point immediately above the focus and this point is called the epicenter. It is at the epicenter where the shock of the earthquake is first experienced. On the basis of the depth of focus, an earthquake may be termed as shallow focus (0-70 km), intermediate focus (70-300 km), and deep focus (> 300 km). The most common measure of earthquake size is the Richter's magnitude (M). The Richter scale uses the maximum surface wave amplitude in the seismogram and the difference in the arrival times of primary (P) and secondary (S) waves for determining magnitude (M). The magnitude is related to roughly logarithm of energy, E in ergs Status of earthquakes Bangladesh is surrounded by the regions of high seismicity which include the Himalayan Arc and shillong plateau in the north, the Burmese Arc, Arakan Yoma anticlinorium in the east and complex Naga-Disang-Jaflong thrust zones in the northeast. It is also the site of the Dauki Fault system along with numerous subsurface active faults and a flexure zone called Hinge Zone. These weak regions are believed to provide the necessary zones for movements within the basin area. 4.2.3.2 Causes of EarthquakeTectonics and SedimentationIn the DeltaTectonic forces play an important role in the geography of Bangladesh. But on the worlds largest delta, rivers, sedimentation, and floods also shape the landscape. Team members are investigating the connection between these two systems: tectonics and river system.How can earthquakes affect rivers?Rivers change course over time. In deltas, rivers can shift back and forth as they drop sediment, and then naturally flow into lower ground. Earthquakes and other tectonic activity can also steer a river. As plates shift, some parts of the landscape may drop and others uplift. This can send rivers on a new path.4.2.3.3 ICT for Earthquake Management: Special FeaturesThe damage potential of earthquakes covering nearly 59% of Indian landmass has major impact on ICT infrastructure, because of the very vast geographical spread as also difficult terrain. The ICT requirements, therefore, have to cater for requisite support in a very short span of time, since the earthquake related disasters very rarely gives any early warning indicators. Earthquakes also affect the mobility of the ICT elements, in addition to causing considerable damage to the existing infrastructure resources; whether public or private in the affected areas. It is, therefore, imperative that these backdrop issues are taken into account while planning for earthquake related ICT support for the activities involved in the complete disaster.

The center of the action Bangladesh is a country in South Asia bordered by India, Bhutan, and Myanmar. It sits on the Bay of Bengal and its capital city, Dhaka, is located in the Bengal Delta. AMNH / Google Earth

4.2.4 Tsunami4.2.4.1 Tsunami Warning NetworkConsequent to the devastating tsunami on December 26, 2004, (that was triggered by an under-ocean EQ off Sumatra-Indonesia with magnitude of 9.1 Mw, leading to the death of than 2,30,000 people that include about 10,000 from India), the Regional Tsunami Warning Centre (RTWC) has been set up at Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), Hyderabad. This national early warning system for tsunami and storm surges in Indian Ocean has become operational since December, 2007. Essentially this centre receives on 24X7 basis real-time seismic data from the network of 17 broadband seismic stations of India Meteorological Department (IMD) as well as near-real-time data from International Seismic Networks of Japan Meteorological Agency, Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre (PTWC) and Global Seismographic Network (GSN) of 200 active stations belonging to Incorporated Research Institute for Seismology (IRIS-200), USA, to detect all earthquakes with moment magnitude greater than six (Mw>6) in Indian ocean within 8-15 minutes of their occurrence. IMD network provides signals through VSAT and International networks send the signals through Internet/Emails.Indian tsunami warning system operates using 3 tiers viz; watch, alert and warning depending on size and continuity of waves detected. For areas close to the earthquake source (e.g. Andaman and Nicobar Island) and south-west coast of Indian Ocean, Tsunami Early Warning is sent within 5 to10 minutes based solely on earthquake information. However, for areas far from earthquake sources, a Watch-Signal is initially generated based on earthquake data, which is subsequently upgraded to a Warning-Signal, if tsunami generation is from Bottom Pressure Recorders (BPR) as well as Tidal Gauge Signals otherwise the Watch-Signal is cancelled.BPR consists of a sub-assembly of piezo-electric crystal and a companion moored surface-buoy linked with two-way acoustic transducers. Any significant changes in sea level due to tsunami is monitored by 12 BPRs (10 in Bay of Bengal and 2 in Arabian Sea) and wave heights are measured by 50 Tidal Gauges (36 installed by SOI and 14 by The National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT)). These are installed at all strategic locations to serve the purpose of generating EW signals. The sensors are based on sub-sea transducers equipped with highly accurate piezo-electric pressure gauges (that are positioned at sea-bed hundreds of miles off the Indian Coast), that transmits an acoustic signal (if there is small but continuous change in water level) to a radio-buoy moored with (attached with) the anchor of the BPR. Real-time Existing Communications Base and ICT Support Situation Analysis data from all these buoys are received at INCOIS through VSAT (using VHF-radio frequency via both INSAT3A and KALPANA simultaneously) while the data from NOAA-BPRs (2 nos located in India Ocean) are also received at INCOIS through Internet (E-mail) with a delay of about 15 minutes.Five Coastal observation Radars (HF Radio Frequency based) and two Current Meter. Moorings are installed to monitor Storm surges and physical behavior of the ocean.The custom-build application software necessary for continuous monitoring of the seismic and sea-level-change data has been developed by INCOIS in collaboration with NIOT (for Tsunami modeling) and TCS (for post processing and display) to trigger an alarm, whenever a pre-set threshold is exceeded for further dissemination of the alert to the stakeholders. INCOIS issues confirmed alert within 30 minutes of earthquake. The Warning- Signal provides travel time, surge height at the land-fall point and the extent of inundation.4.2.4.2 INSAT Based Distress Alert TransmitterFor Fishing Boats Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has developed INSAT based Distress Alert transmitter (DAT) through an Indian industry with technical expertise from Space Applications Centre (SAC), Ahmadabad. The requirement for a satellite based Distress Alert Transmitter was given by the Indian Coast Guards, for use in fishing boats going deep in to sea. In case of emergency, the fishing boat transmits a short message containing its position and type of emergency to a central location through satellite for rescue operation. The transmitter operates through DRT Transponder of INSAT-3A in the frequency band of 402.65 to 402.85 MHzThe transmitter has following features: It is light weight, portable, floatable and battery operated transmitter suitablefor marine environment. Low cost affordable by fisherman. In built GPS receiver to give position and time information. In the event of emergency the user manually activates the transmitter and press a switch indicating emergency condition to relay the message to a Central Station through INSAT satellite, the function is similar to PLB (Personal locator Beacon). Transmits different types of emergency like fire, boat sinking, and man overboard or medical help on manual activation. Test transmission facility. Once activated, transmits in random mode, every 1- minute for 5 minutesand then once every 5 minutes. Transmission lasts for 24 hrs. Uses Omni directional antenna having hemi spherical coverage, suitable for operation from fishing boat. Uses lithium primary battery

Fig: 1. Tsunami December 26, 2004

Fig: 2. Tsunami December 26, 2004

4.3 Model for Disaster Information Management Using Mobile TechnologyThe basic assumption is that 2nd Generation level technology for mobile communication is available in Bangladesh and that mobile phones have reached a critical mass. Moreover, the Network coverage of cellular phones has reached a fairly distributed geographical region covering most of the disaster prone areas in Bangladesh. Model Proposed In the proposed model, the Disaster Management Bureau (DMB) will play the central role of coordination for implementing mobile technology for disaster management. This DMB has a line of communication with other weather forecasting agencies. The weather forecasting agencies will forecast the disaster, cyclone for example, and pitch this information to the DMB. Dissemination of disaster warning, rescue and recovery information will be disseminated through two separate but complementary approaches. One is through the formal channel of communication like local authority and local disaster shelters. To implement this channel, the prerequisite is that all local centers will have at least one mobile phone. It is also possible to select a local representative who owns a mobile phone to keep communication with the centers that dont have mobile phone. The central coordinator (DMB) will send updated information to the local centers which in turn will be distributed using both online and offline media. This weather information will be highly specific depending upon the cell of the mobile phone. The prevailing system of communication is through radio which is not much targeted. Another approach, which is the focus of proposed model, is disseminating disaster warning, rescue and recovery information directly to the affected people using mobile phones. The central coordinator (DMB) will collect weather information from the meteorological department. There will be line of communication between the DMB and the mobile phone operators. After receiving location based weather report, the central coordinator will write a Short Message Service (SMS) describing the weather report and necessary steps to be taken and then send it to the mobile phone operators. Mobile operators then disseminate this short message to all mobile phones in a specific geographic cell. This service will be push service which will not require users active participation.

4.4 SOFTWARE ARCHITECTURE ANALYSIS OF DISASTERMANAGEMENT SYSTEMSIn the previous section, we categorized disaster management systems. Certain architectural concerns are vital for the development of these systems. We now define from the