Tropical cyclone risk perception and risk reduction analysis for coastal Bangladesh: Household and expert perspectives

Risk assessment as well as risk perceptions play a vital role in disaster risk reduction through formulating and implementing disaster risk reduction (DRR) policies and interventions. This study, which was conducted in the coastal areas of Bangladesh, aims to: firstly, analyze actual versus perceived cyclone risk at household level in the coastal communities of Bangladesh; secondly, investigate experts' perceptions of perceived cyclone risk; and thirdly, explore cyclone risk reduction (CRR) strategies from both expert and household perspectives. An extensive survey consisting of face-to-face questionnaire surveys and site observation was undertaken in the southern coastal areas of Bangladesh. Both actual and perceived risk values varied significantly among the three study areas (Lalua, Burigoalini and Koyra). These risks vary according to participants' income, occupation, farm size, gender, geographical location, and educational attainment/qualification. Results indicate the average level of perceived risk is high both at the household and expert level. Female participants perceive slightly higher risk than males in coastal Bangladesh. This survey advocates some cyclone risk reduction (CRR) measures, as follows: build more cyclone shelters and cyclone resilient privately owned houses; build or improve embankments and polders; build or improve roads; preserve dry food; supply adequate food and pure drinking water; and improve the quality of early warning messages or alarms. This study concludes that risk perception assessment is a prerequisite for implementing any risk reduction plan or strategy, and it is critical to integrate bottom-up and top-down approaches for CRR plans and actions.