EQ3- Cyclone sidr coastal flooding

Question 1

Context of cyclone sidr

Answer 1

-Cyclone sidr swept into the Bay of Bengal on the 15th of November 2007
-Brought a 6m storm surge along with the cyclone and coastal areas suffered greatest death tolls.

Question 2

What human factors influenced the coastal flooding after cyclone sidr?

Answer 2

-Densely populated coastal area, so ⬆️ number of people at risk
-Vegetation removal, 50% of salt marshes and 35% of mangroves lost due to tourism + coastal management
-Climate change, rising sea levels.
-Degree of subsidence, coastal areas vulnerable

Question 3

What physical factors influenced the coastal flooding caused by the storm surge after the cyclone?

Answer 3

• Height of land, low lying areas are more vulnerable to rising sea levels + storm surges. 46% of the country’s population lives less than 10m above sea level.
  -Global sea level rise
  -Bangladesh is on a flood plane so glacial melt drains from Himalayas.

Question 4

What were the environmental impacts of cyclone sidr?

Answer 4

-heavy rain
-strong winds of up to 233km/hr
-huge storm surge 6m in height
-extensive flooding of low lying areas

Question 5

What were the social impacts of cyclone sidr?

Answer 5

-Strong winds caused damage to houses, roads, bridges and other infrastructure
-Electricity and communication supplies were knocked out
-Roads and waterways became impassable
-Drinking water was contaminated by debris
-Wells flooded by salt water
-Sanitation infrastructure destroyed so ⬆️ risk of disease.

Question 6

What were the economic impacts of cyclone sidr?

Answer 6

-Total coast estimated at US $1.7 billion