Banladesh, Bay Of Bengal

Question 1

Bangladesh

Answer 1

• Country most at risk from storm surges linked to tropical cyclones
• 40% of all recorded storm surges have occurred within Bangladesh

Question 2

1970 Bhola cyclone

Answer 2

• Storm surge height (10metres)
• Maximum 1-minute sustained wind speed (205kmph)
  -Lowest air pressure (966 mb)
  -Deaths (300k-500k)
  -Economic losses ($90million)

Question 3

1991 cyclone

Answer 3

-Storm surge height = 6m
-Maximum 1 minute sustained winds spread=(250kmph)
- Lowest air pressure (918mb)
Deaths = 139,000
Economic losses = $1.7billion

Question 4

2007 Cyclone sidr

Answer 4

-Storm surge height = 3m
-Maximum 1 minute sustained winds speed =(250kmph)
- Lowest air pressure = 944mb
- Deaths = 15,000
- $1.7 billion

Question 5

Facts

Answer 5

1) Much of the country is a very low lying river delta, only 0 to 9 m above sea level with large parts being below 3m
2) almost all of the coastline consists of unconsolidated delta sediment, which is very dynamic and subject to significant erosion
3) The Ganges and Brahmaputra river system boasts the 3rd largest discharge in the world - supplying the coast with 30,770 m3 per second. It also has the worlds largest suspended sediment load (1.84billion tonnes per year)
4) deforestation of coastal mangrove forests has removed vegetation that once stabilised coastal swamps and dissipated wave energy during tropical cyclones
5) The triangular shape of the Bay of Bengal acts as a funnel for ant incoming tropical cyclones
6) intense rainfall from tropical cyclones contributes to flooding
7) wind speeds in tropical cyclones have been known to reach up to 260kmph which transfers more energy into the waves and increases their height
8) Sea level is projected Yk rise 28-98cm within a century with the most likely being 55% by 2100. This means 40% of Bangladesh’s farmland would be lost.