OCHA Situation Report No. 2
Bangladesh: Cyclone Sidr
18 November 2007


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

This situation report is based on information received from the
Bangladesh Disaster Management Information Centre, the UN Resident
Coordinator's Office Bangladesh, the Disaster Emergency Response Group
(DER), UN agencies, UN OCHA Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific
(ROAP) and media sources.

I. Situation in Bangladesh

1. Cyclone Sidr (Category IV) hit Bangladesh on the evening of 15
November. The cyclone, originating from a depression over the Bay of
Bengal on 11 November, hit offshore islands at 1830 hours and made
landfall across the southern coast from Cox's Bazaar to Satkhira
districts at 2030 hours local time. Heavy rains were experienced
throughout the country, including the capital Dhaka. The first area hit
by Cyclone Sidr was Hiron Point and part of the mangrove forest
Sundarbans in Bagerhat and Dublar Char Island in Barguna. According to
the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, Cyclone Sidr had a radius of
500 kilometres with the eye of the storm 74 kilometres wide and wind
speeds reaching between 220-240 kilometres per hour. As the storm moved
north into central Bangladesh it was downgraded to a Category II
tropical storm.

2. Initial unconfirmed reports indicate that the death toll is over
1,500 people, with a large number of missing and thousands injured. As
communication is disrupted and some areas still inaccessible, the number
of fatalities is likely to increase. Three coastal towns, Patuakhali,
Barguna and Jhalakathi, with a combined population of 700,000 were
inundated by a five meter high water surge triggered by the cyclone.
Over 20,000 houses damaged in the two worst affected districts and at
least 30,000 families affected in two reported districts out of the 15
hardest hit districts.

3. Five joint assessment teams were launched on 16 November, however
information collection on casualty and damage figures remains obstructed
through blocked communication and road channels. The needs are expected
to be concentrated on non-food items, food aid, nutrition, water and
sanitation and shelter.

4. Early reports indicate that the cyclonic storm caused significant and
wide-spread storm damage throughout Bangladesh. Many structures have
been damaged or destroyed, damage to crops is extensive and roads are
damaged or blocked by debris. The cyclone caused severe reduction in
power production, resulting in a near countrywide blackout for over 36
hours, further disruptions to telecommunications and water supply.
Electricity returned from Saturday morning.

II. National Response in Bangladesh

5. The Government of Bangladesh (GoB) early warning and preparedness
systems were activated prior to the cyclone hitting landfall, which had
a significant mitigating effect in this emergency. Disaster preparedness
measures included the evacuation of approximately 3.2 million people to
safe places from along the coastline in 15 districts. Of these 620,000
were located in one of the 2,000 cyclone shelters and others to the
highlands. Fishing boats and trawlers over North Bay were instructed to
remain in shelter. Relief and rescue items were stockpiled including dry
foods, medicines, tents, cooking and lighting materials.

6. The Chief Adviser allocated 95,000,000 taka for relief and house
construction in 11 districts. Deputy Commissioners are procuring and
collecting sufficient amount of dry food to face the current situation.
The Ministry of Food and Disaster Management (MoFDM) allocated 3,000
tonnes of rice in 14 districts and an additional 3000 food items kits
and family kits were sent to Hironpoint, Dublarchar, Kuakata and
Pathorghata. Twelve Air Force helicopters and five Navy gunboats are
involved in rescue and relief operations, in cooperation with local
administration. A total of 732 medical teams are working in the affected
areas.

7. The Government of Bangladesh called a meeting of the Disaster and
Emergency Response group (DER) on 15 November, consisting of
representatives from the GoB, UN, donors, national and international
NGOs. The GoB emphasized that the humanitarian community should
coordinate closely with central and local Bangladesh authorities. The
next DER meeting may be held on 18 November.

III. International Response in Bangladesh

8. The UN Country Team, IFRC, and NGOs, including Save the Children,
World Vision International, CARE, Caritas, OXFAM, Islamic Relief, ACT,
Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA), Muslim Aid, and Plan,
provided support to the Government of Bangladesh through extensive
emergency response precautions, including mobilizing in-country staff
and pre-positioned relief stocks across southern Bangladesh.

9. Under the coordination of the DER, a United Nations team of 12
experts left Dhaka to assist with assessment in affected areas not yet
covered. The United Nations is distributing 208 tonnes of high-energy
biscuits to assist an estimated 850,000 cyclone affected people. 240,000
packets of water purifying powder are reaching 48,000 families. Shelter
materials (thick polyesters) will also be distributed to 18,000
households whose houses were destroyed by the storms. UN partners will
start distribution of dry food (flattened rice and molasses) to 70,000
affected families from 18 November. Medical officers are available to
assist the Government response, including four for coordinating the
central response. USD 50,000 was made available for water and supplies
and transportation. More relief will be made available following initial
determination of needs.

10. The United Nations Disaster Management Team (UN DMT) met on 16
November to coordinate response and assessment and take early stock of
the situation. A mission from UN OCHA Regional Office arrived in Dhaka
on 17 November to assist with the Central Emergency Relief Fund (CERF)
process. UN Heads of Agencies will go on mission to the worst affected
districts to assess the extent of damage on 19 November.

11. IFRC launched a preliminary emergency appeal for US$ 3.5 million in
cash, kind, or services to support the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society
to assist 235,000 beneficiaries for a period of 9 months.

IV SITUATION IN INDIA

12. In India, people are returning to their homes following evacuations
in Orissa and West Bengal States. There have to date been no reports of
casualties as a result of cyclone Sidr. In the North Eastern states
heavy rainfall continues. The UN Resident Coordinator's Office will
continue to monitor the situation in conjunction with the UNDP Disaster
Risk Management programme, which maintains a presence in these areas.

13. This situation report, together with further information regarding
on-going emergencies, is also available on the Reliefweb:
http://www.reliefweb.int.

For detailed information please contact:

OCHA Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (Bangkok)
Mr. Markus Werne
Tel. + 66 81 917 8940
Email: Werne@un.org

Regional Disaster Response Adviser - Asia-Pacific
Ms. Eliane Provo Kluit
Tel. +66819129854
Email : provokluit@un.org


Desk Officers:

(NYC) Ms. Kendra Clegg
Tel. +1 646 348 0346
Email: clegg@un.org

(GVA) Mr. Jean Verheyden
Tel: + 41 79 - 509 8116
Email: verheyden@un.org


Press contact:

(NYC) Ms. Stephanie Bunker
Tel. + 1 917 367 5126

(GVA) Ms. Elizabeth Byrs
Tel. + 41 22 917 2653

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