Bangladesh is highly vulnerable to climate change. News outlets announced a new warning system that can predict landslides five days ahead, giving vulnerable communities ample time to prepare for the impending disasters.
Climate-related risks are increasing in Bangladesh, particularly extreme rainfall. The early warning system was developed as a result of the partnership between FAO and the Bangladesh government.
The system will use satellite imagery, rainfall levels, and meteorological data to predict landslide events and warn residents via email or phone alerts.
The early warning system will be used in Cox’s Bazar starting in May 2021. Cox’s Bazar in southeast Bangladesh has around one million residents (including Rohingya refugees who fled Myanmar in 2017). They are at high risk for landslides.
The country’s current landslide warning can make predictions only a couple of hours before the disaster hits, giving residents very little time to respond. This new warning system is a critical improvement to the country’s disaster risk management.
South Bangladesh is prone to landslides. According to FAO data, between 200 to 2018, landslides have claimed 700 lives in the Chittagong Hill districts.
The new warning systems need to be updated regularly- refining and updating it to work efficiently. Communities will also need to be informed about the landslide risks.
To know more about Bangladesh’s Landslide Early Warning System, click the links below:
Source Citation:
Karim, N. (2021, January 26). New warning system in Bangladesh to tackle rising landslide risk. Thomson Reuters Foundation. Retrieved from https://news.trust.org/item/20210126123505-46ju8/
New landslide early warning system to be used in Bangladesh. (2021, January 13). Dhaka Tribune. https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2021/01/13/new-landslide-early-warning-system-to-be-used-in-bangladesh
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