FATALITIES from nor鈥檞ester in the coastal region, a stormy weather pattern in Bangladesh occurring in the spring, demonstrate the government鈥檚 unpreparedness for seasonal weather events. On April 7, at least 13 people were killed, and several hundred families became homeless after a series of nor鈥檞ester thrashed seven districts, mainly in the coastal districts. Seven of the deaths were caused by lightning, while four others died after being crushed under the trees, in a mudslide, or from the impact of heavy wind. The number of casualties, according to local sources, is even higher as the district administration has yet to assess the impact of the storm. In the effected districts, massive crop losses and long hours of load shedding are also reported. In Bhola, a vast field of soy beans and vegetables was destroyed, risking the livelihoods of about 7,500 people. In Bagerhat, at least 34 electric poles were uprooted by the storm, leaving about 400,000 people without electricity. When locals complained about the lack of preparedness and warning, the officials of the Bangladesh Meteorological Department claimed that it was not possible to provide a deterministic forecast for nor鈥檞ester. Official claims, however, do not hold ground, as nor鈥檞ester is a known pre-monsoon weather event that happens in March鈥揓une that the disaster management ministry should have been better prepared for.
The unpreparedness of the government and its lacklustre response to annual weather events have been a public concern. Deaths from winter-related illness and burn injuries while trying to keep warm in the northern region are common. In the immediate past winter, in November 2023鈥揓anuary 2024, at least 32 people died of cold-related diseases, and at least 233,322 people were admitted to hospitals. Farmers routinely incur losses as the meteorological and agricultural extension departments fail to provide early warning and due advice to minimise the destruction of crops from extreme weather events. In October鈥揘ovember 2023, when farmers in sixteen coastal districts already suffered crop losses from cyclones Hamoon and Midhili, officials advised farmers to harvest their rice crop at their earliest, long before the harvesting season, to minimise loss from another cyclonic storm. In June 2023, when a flash flood inundated different areas of Kishoreganj haor area due to the onrush of water from upstream and continuous monsoon rains, affected people talked about a better weather forecasting mechanism. On no occasion was the government able to provide the people with adequate relief and ensure long-term economic rehabilitation. The relief programmes are almost always late and mired in corruption.
The government must, therefore, improve its response to seasonal weather events. In doing so, it must modernise its weather forecast system by allocating financial and skilled human resources so timely and scientifically informed warnings can be issued and the material and human costs of natural disasters are minimised. More important, the government must ensure relief and shelter for people who are left stranded under the sky by the nor鈥檞ester.
