By Fahad Ferdous

Bangladesh is expanding disaster risk reduction and emergency preparedness measures as floods, cyclones, tidal surges, river erosion and other natural calamities continue to threaten lives, livelihoods and infrastructure across the country.

The government has allocated more than Tk 1,510 crore for the Cash for Work programme and over Tk 1,454 crore for rural infrastructure maintenance in the current fiscal year, according to a budget document.

The measures form part of a broader disaster management strategy that combines emergency preparedness, resilient infrastructure, social protection, early warning systems and community-based response mechanisms.

Under the Employment Generation Programme for the Poorest (EGPP), employment has been ensured for around 20 lakh rural workers, one-third of whom are women.

More than 5 lakh metric tonnes of food grains have also been distributed through the Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF) and Kabikha programmes, while humanitarian assistance to more than 11 lakh forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals is continuing.

Expanding shelter network

The government is currently implementing construction, renovation and development works for 450 cyclone and disaster shelters at a cost of Tk 150 crore.

Construction of another 448 shelters in river erosion-prone and flood-prone areas is also progressing, expanding the country’s capacity to provide safe refuge to communities exposed to recurring disasters.

The Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief has also undertaken canal excavation and re-excavation programmes to reduce waterlogging, improve irrigation facilities and maintain ecological balance.

Tree plantation is being carried out alongside these initiatives to improve environmental sustainability and reduce soil erosion.

Under the government’s 180-day programme for the first six months of its tenure, the ministry set a target of excavating 1,500 kilometres of canals, rivers and drainage channels and planting 1 lakh saplings.

Strengthening emergency response

For central coordination during major disasters, land has been acquired for establishing a National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC), while the process of initiating its construction project is underway.

The government has also procured modern rescue equipment and 11 aerial platform ladders at a cost of around Tk 521 crore for earthquake response and other emergency operations.

Further modern rescue equipment is planned to be procured, while institutional capacity will be strengthened to deal with natural disasters, particularly potential major earthquakes, and minimise casualties and property losses.

The steps come as Bangladesh remains highly exposed to natural hazards because of its low-lying terrain, extensive river network, high population density and location near the Bay of Bengal.

Early warning gets wider reach

The government is also strengthening early warning and communication systems to ensure that disaster information reaches communities quickly.

Under the Cyclone Preparedness Programme (CPP), 100 percent wireless communication coverage has been ensured. An online database containing information on 78,100 volunteers has also been developed to strengthen emergency response capacity.

People across the country can access weather forecasts by calling the toll-free number 1090.

Disaster forecasting is being strengthened through satellite technology, while plans have been undertaken to use modern satellite-based systems to monitor river erosion.

Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu told Parliament in June that the government has earmarked 445 earthquake shelters across the capital as part of its preparedness to reduce risks from tremors and other urban disasters.

The shelters include 256 locations under Dhaka South City Corporation and 189 under Dhaka North City Corporation, bringing the total to 445.

Dulu said the government is also preparing a coordinated volunteer database with the goal of mobilising 100,000 volunteers in Dhaka city and its adjoining areas so that they can respond to any major disaster.

He said information on volunteers working under various government and non-government organisations is being collected to create the database and strengthen emergency response capacity.

A country exposed to multiple hazards

Bangladesh faces a wide range of natural hazards, including floods, cyclones, tidal surges, river erosion, drought, waterlogging and landslides.

Floods are among the most common disasters, particularly during the monsoon, when heavy rainfall and rising river levels can inundate large areas.

The scale of the challenge was underscored by the severe monsoon floods and landslides in July 2026. According to the United Nations, around 1.28 million people were affected across seven districts, while 59 deaths were reported as of July 22.

Some 74,479 houses were damaged or destroyed, 27,007 hectares of cropland were affected and more than 266,000 livestock were impacted.

The UN estimated that around 436,000 people affected by the July disaster required humanitarian assistance. The combined losses to the livestock and fisheries sectors alone were estimated at US$17.3 million.

The disaster also demonstrated the importance of preparedness before hazards reach their peak. A UN update in July said 1,700 shelters had been activated during the initial Chattogram Division emergency, with 17,000 people temporarily displaced.

Coastal districts are particularly vulnerable to cyclones and tidal surges, which can damage houses, agricultural land, embankments and fisheries.

Riverbank erosion frequently forces families to relocate and causes the loss of farmland and settlements. In northern and north-western regions, drought and water shortages can affect agricultural production during periods of inadequate rainfall.

Landslides are a recurring risk in hilly areas, particularly in the Chattogram Hill Tracts and parts of Chattogram and Sylhet, where heavy rainfall can trigger sudden slope failures.

Climate change is adding to these risks through sea-level rise, changing rainfall patterns and increasing the intensity of some extreme weather events.

Despite these measures, natural calamities continue to impose significant economic and social costs.

Strengthening local preparedness, improving drainage and flood management, protecting rivers and coastal areas, and ensuring rapid relief and rehabilitation remain key priorities for reducing the vulnerability of communities across Bangladesh.

As climate and disaster risks evolve, the effectiveness of these measures will depend not only on infrastructure and technology but also on coordination among government agencies, local authorities, volunteers and communities on the ground.