URBAN Hazard disaster risk profile of the greater

Dhaka

Presented ByGawher Nayeem Wahra

IDMVS,University of Dhaka and Convenor-Disaster Forum

September 09, 2014

Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh is one of the fast growing cities in

the world. Since its independence, rapid urbanization turned Dhaka as

one of the megacities of the world. The rapid growth of Dhaka’s

population forced haphazard & unplanned development and speedy

construction of new buildings in any and every available space.

Dhaka is under serious threat of upcoming massive disaster like;1) Natural Hazards

earthquake,

urban flood

Nor’wester

2) Development induced hazards

building collapse,

road accidents,

fire,

adulteration in food,

waste,

mobile tower,

pollution from tannery and other industries,

sound and air pollution. Pollination pollution

dengue

3) Water induced hazard

Scarcity of safe drinking water,

water-logging,

water born disease.

Surface/river water pollution

4. )Human Made Disaster

Bomb Blast

Riots

Political violence

Unrest in RMG and other industries

EarthquakeMore than 1 crore people andalmost the number of building aredestroyed if an earthquake of 7magnitude hits Dhaka city. Dhakais too much vulnerable ofearthquake disaster due to somereasons;

The population density is veryhigh in Dhaka city.

It is predicted that the secondaryhazard like fire break out from gasand electricity line will have moredisastrous impact afterearthquake.

Not only building codes are notmaintain during construction timeof most of the high rise apartmentbuildings and most garmentfactory buildings but also theyhave been constructed withoutopen spaces and most haveencroached upon the streets androadways.

Urban FloodIn recent years, flood waters enter into the cities and towns and create

enormous suffering to the people. Usually continuous rainfalls during the

rainy season, water coming down the hills are the main causes which raises

the water level to rise in the adjacent rivers. But with the decrease of the

water level in the rivers, the water in the cities cannot be drained out

properly and water becomes stagnant for a long period. Faulty drainage

management and un-cleaned drains causes such floods.

The tendency of Flood in the

cities is due to:

•Illegal occupation of the low

lying areas.

•Illegal occupancy of the

marshy bodies and channels

of drainage.

•Decrease of the capacity of

the land to absorb excessive

rain water.

Nor’westerOne of the most common disasters in Bangladesh is Kalboishakhi orthe storm occurring in the month of Boishakh which hits Bangladeshevery year with severe winds and devastation. In 2012, there were 59storms which hit Dhaka and in 2013 49 storms were hit over thecountry. Wind gusts of one of the storms were reportedly sopowerful that they derailed nine carriages of a train, snapping railcommunication between Dhaka and western Bangladesh. Total 14died all over country on April 2014.

Development induced hazards

Building collapse Some incidents of recent building collapse in and around Dhaka City have provided

impetus of increasing concern about the seismic vulnerability of the built

environment in Dhaka City. The Last major building collapse was;

In 2013, an eight-story commercial

building Rana Plaza collapse in Savar, .

The search for the dead ended on 13

May with a death toll of

1,129. Approximately 2,515 injured

people were rescued from the building

alive.

In 2010, a five-storied residential

building collapsed in the capital,

Begunbari, killing at least 25 people and

injured several others.

Total 21 people died when five storey

Phonex Group at Tejgaon had collapsed

in 2006 and;

At least 70 people were killed when

nine storey Spectra garment factory

had collapsed at Savar, in the outskirt of

city in 2005.

FireFire hazards became an overwhelming incident in Dhaka city due to

the increasing number of people getting involved in the economic,

industrial and other activities and in virtually all these activities the

danger of a fire breaking out exists to varying degrees. The density of

human settlements with all their pertinent structures abates the

spread of fire.

The number of fire incidents in Dhaka was 1,861 in 2003, 2,053 in 2004, and 2,279 in 2005 and 14921 in 2010 (Fire

Service and Civil Defense, 2011).

Road Accident: In Dhaka city, number of accidents has increased. This is mainlydue to unawareness of the pedestrians, faulty cars, unskilledand under age drivers, not adhering to traffic signals, Lack ofenforcement of law, etc. In 2012, in Dhaka alone total 315person, in 2013 total 474 and 135 person are died till mid July,2014.

Adulteration in foodFruits sold in Dhaka contain an alarming level of formalin. Fruitsnaturally contain 0.03-0.15 ppm (part per million) level of formalin.Dhaka's markets police found the level to range between 3.5 ppm to46 ppm. The Institute of Public Health (IPH) has conducted the teston 10,289 samples of 50 items and found that 47 items wereadulterated in this year. (The items include edible oil, spices, sweets,milk products, lentils, pulses, juices, pickles, biscuits, jellies, dried fish,flours and tea leaves).

WasteWith the rapid industrialization and urbanization, productions of waste

materials have increased. It is link to health hazard, environmental hazard as

well as financial implications and associated risks.

The majority of waste is generated from;

1) Residential areas

2) Markets,

3) Industries and factories,

4) Commercial organizations,

5) Hospitals and medical installation.

Type of waste

food items and vegetables.

paper,

plastic,

hides and skin,

metal products,

glass,

ceramics,

wood,

thread,

medicines

All types of waste products are

dumped together in the dustbins. So,

the germs of different diseases flow

through the air and water and poses

serious hygienic problem and health

hazard. Experts say that 18 to 20%

of hospital wastes produce types of

virus and bacteria which are harmful

to human health.

Mobile towerDue to the stiff competition among the mobile phone service providers, the mobile phone network is expanding rapidly and several towers are being installed.

In recent year these tower are identified as most harmful health hazard, such as,

1) these towers have bad effects on human being, animals, trees and on the environment as a whole.

2) People who living within 300 meters of a mobile tower is beset with insomnia, headache, lack of concentration, uneasy feeling, frustration, loss of memory, loss of hearing and eyesight, skin problem, etc.

3) Radiation also has dangerous harmful effect on pregnant women. The baby inside the womb of a lady is likely to be affected if the mother lives near a town – the foetus may die and even miscarriage may take place

4) The adverse effects of radiation may lower the flying capacity of the birds or supply of food for the animals may be reduced.

5) Continuous emission of radiation may even lead to total extinction of some breed of animals. Their natural immunity may reduce and their capability to stay alive may be affected.

6) Birds or other animals which can fly cannot endure radiation of 40,000 microwatt or more. There is a gradual extinction of birds and insects from the cities. Also many species of trees are becoming extinct.

According to a data published in August 2008, the number of mobile phone users in

the country is 7.9677 crore. and 6 mobile phone companies have set up approx.

36,000 towers. At present GrameenPhone has 14,000 towers while Banglalink has

5,200, Robi 8,200, Airtel 4,100 and City Cell has 2,900 towers, Teletalk, the

government owned company has 1,400 towers.

TanneryTannery has been one of the most prospective industries in Bangladesh.

Although it is an ever growing industry but due to unplanned management of

this industry people are being harmed due to pollution from solid and liquid

wastes from the tanneries.

Almost 90 to 95% tanneries are located in Hazaribag, Dhaka. There

are between 200 and 250 factories both small and large. These

tanneries are polluting the air, water and earth unabatedly. As a

result, due to this incessant pollution, the local residents mostly

remain sick.

Map: Areas affected by pollution from tannery (source: Human Rights Watch)

Air Pollution

In Dhaka, the situation is alarmingdue to air pollution from vehicles,factories, brickfields and dust. Nearly70% of the population of Dhaka cityis suffering from various air-bornediseases. According to Ministry ofEnvironment and Forests, if thepollution in Dhaka could be reducedfrom 20 to 80%, then lives of 1,200-3,500 people could be saved everyyear. In addition, 80 to 230 millionpeople could be relieved ofbreathing related problems.

Sources from National Institute of Chest Diseases & Hospital

state that in Bangladesh nearly 7 million people are suffereing

from asthma of which 50% are children. World Health

Organization claims that 10,000 baby die even before birth

due to air pollution every year.

Pollution due to wrong plantation

Hazard from

Pollination

Akshmoni

(Cassia Nodosa)

Sound PollutionDue to natural reasons, the sound pollution is more intense in the cities than in thevillages and in Dhaka, the situation is most dangerous. Dhaka city has been developingat a very rapid rate and for economic development and industrial excellence, moreand more factories are being constructed, more vehicle movement and more soundpollution.

Physical Damage Due to Sound Pollution

• Excess sound damages the ears and may lead to mental imbalances.

• Excessive sound hampers a child’s natural growth and development, lunge problem, irrational behaviour and children become unmindful in studies.

• A survey conducted by Department of Environment concludes that sound pollution may lead to mental and physical disorder.

• It may also lead to insomnia, headache, high blood pressure, peptic ulcer and indigestion.

• Any person who stays in a room or a situation where the sound is 100 decibel or more for half an hour, may become deaf and may lose the ability to hear.

• Any form of noise pollution can become extremely harmful to pregnant women. It has been observed that pregnant women who resides near any airport are likely to give birth to children who become paralyzed, autistic and immature as compared to mothers who stay away from any airport.

Dengue

As Dhaka is densely populated and for it’s deteriorating

environmental condition, the highest number of aedes

mosquito carrying dengue virus exist and breed. The

first recorded epidemic of Dengue in Bangladesh

occurred in 2000 in the cities of Dhaka. Official data

published by the Directorate of Health Services,

Government of Bangladesh, revealed fluctuating

numbers of dengue cases ranging between 6,132 in 2002

and 218 in 2010 and number of deaths ranging between

0 to 93 during 2000-2010. Dengue has remained a major

public health concern because of the potential for a

dengue epidemic that could occur in any year.

Bomb Violence: A new panic

Bangladesh is affected every year by natural disasters. However, over the

last few years, people of Bangladesh are constantly under a threat of a

new man-made hazards. Bomb violence which has already taken away

many innocent lives and peace from our lives. Now, people are

terrorized with the idea that, terrorists would throw bombs at them at

any time or any place-whenever and wherever they like.

According to ASK (Ain o Salish Kendra) 189 persons were killed and

10,048 injured in political violence from January through September.

According to Shishu Adhikar Forum 28 children were victims of political

violence of which 6 were killed and 22 physically disabled.

A total of 16 children were injured and lost their body organs in cocktail

blasts in last year’s political violence.

Water induced hazardsDhaka is facing acute water problem. The water related

problems in Dhaka include inadequate supply of safe drinking

water, water-borne diseases and water-logging.

Safe drinking water Dhaka Water Supply & Sewerage Authority (WASA) supplies

water to Dhaka city and its inhabitants through 4 treatment plants and 538 deep tubewells .

85% of demand for water is met from underground water.

The balance 15 % water is supplied from surrounding rivers after treatment.

But due to excessive pollution, the treatment plants can not treatthe water fully. People residing in Central Road and adjacent areas,North Badda, Agargaon, Shyamoli, Bashabo, Rajarbagh, Gulshan,Dhanmondi, Mirpur, Gabtoli, Mohammadpur, Moghbazar, Jatrabari,Wari, Monipuripara, Pisciculture housing, Mohammadia housing, OldDhaka have been suffering from water crisis for a long time.Irregular water supply coupled with muddy water and water withterrible smell is creating health hazards for the city dwellers, aswater problem becomes acute.

Water logging:water logging is a burden on the

inhabitants of Dhaka city and it creates

adverse social, physical, economic and

environmental impacts. Almost one-third

area of the city including Motijheel,

Shantinagar, Rajarbagh, Mouchak,

Najimuddin road, Jigatola and a few parts

of Dhanmondi , Kajipara, paikpara, Bijoy

Sarany and other area are facing water-

logging problem in each year.

The main causes of this hazards are:

• Poor drainage system

• most of the canals are choked

up or filled up with dumping of

solid and construction wastes

• Inadequate drainage sections,

conventional drainage system

with low capacity and gravity,

natural siltation, absence of inlets

and outlets, improper

maintenance of existing drainage

system.

• unplanned construction works

contribute to the drainage

problems.

Water-borne diseasesDue to absence of safe drinking water which forces people to drink unsafe

and unhygienic water the number of patients receiving treatment at ICDDR’B

at Mohakhali has risen by 30%, most of them suffering from dysentery,

diarrhoea and other water borne diseases . The situation is going to more

vulnerable in rainy season due to leakage in pipeline, unclean container,

contaminated underground water and lack of awareness among the general

public. Rain water also pollutes as it mixes with solid waste, clinical waste, silt,

contaminants and domestic wastes and increase water-borne diseases.