Measures to avert cyclone damage were inadequate

Anomalies in taking adequate measures to reduce risk of disaster before and after the cyclone Roanu were evident in 10 unions of five coastal districts, according to a report of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB).

The report, launched at a press conference at TIB's office in the capital's Dhanmondi yesterday, says proper steps were not taken to repair risky flood protection embankments, polders and shelter centres in eight unions before the cyclone.

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Some shelter centres in six unions became unusable during Roanu as those were not properly built due to irregularities and corruption, it says.

The number of wirelesses, vehicles and horn speakers to alarm locals beforehand were inadequate, while drilling was not held regularly in all the 10 unions before the cyclone, it adds.

Instead of including the real affected people of some wards in seven unions in the list of beneficiaries, followers and supporters of local public representatives, who were not affected, were listed. Relatives and followers of union parishad chairmen and members were tasked with preparing lists in some wards of six unions, it adds.

The TIB in its research found that the people of five unions were given lesser quantity of rice during distribution. Besides, the affected people of eight unions did not get corrugated tin sheets, though the government authorities claimed to have distributed those.

At least 27 people died and thousands were affected when cyclone Roanu hit coastal areas of 15 districts on May 21, 2016.

TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman said Bangladesh has been hailed nationally and internationally for its achievement in fighting natural disasters.

He said such researches would not only consolidate and carry forward this achievement, but also help identify the lack of good governance.

“If we can help bring changes by working on the lacking, that would be our success,” Iftekharuzzaman added.

The report was prepared on the basis of data collected between May, 2016 and January, 2017 from 10 unions under five most affected districts -- Chittagong, Cox's Bazar, Laxmipur, Bhola and Barguna. Information and data from May to June of 2016 was taken into account for the report.

A TIB research team selected one worst and one less affected upazila from each district and then selected the worst affected union from each upazila.

However, names of the 10 unions were not mentioned in the report.

While preparing the report, the research team took into account areas vulnerable to climate change alongside the number of death tolls, affected families and houses.

The report made 15 recommendations for concerned stakeholders to assess the extent of loss and allocation and distribution of relief after a cyclone.