District-wise multi-hazard zoning of Bangladesh

Bangladesh is stated as one of the most natural disaster-prone countries in the world. The geographical setting of the country makes it vulnerable to natural hazards. Among different disasters in Bangladesh, tornado, flood, earthquake, and cyclone are major hazards according to the historical occurrences and their potential damages. For proper disaster management, recognition of the existence of the hazards and identification of the vulnerable areas are first important tasks. Thus, the prime objective of this study was to prepare a district-wise multi-hazard zoning map of Bangladesh. For the purpose, firstly a complete district-wise database of four disasters in Bangladesh was prepared. Comparing scenarios of these hazards in Bangladesh and their corresponding scales all over the world, suitable intensity scales and their corresponding damage risk levels were proposed. For calculation of district-wise individual hazard scores, hazard factors and weighting factors for particular hazards were defined based on the organized district-wise historical disaster database of Bangladesh through consultation with experts from relative fields. After that, district-wise individual and multi-hazard scores were calculated. Then, the districts of Bangladesh were subdivided into three zones based on calculated multi-hazard scores. Finally, district-wise multi-hazard zoning map of Bangladesh was prepared. The research findings are crucial and important for policy-makers for decision-making regarding disaster management strategies, i.e. planning for disaster prevention, mitigation, and preparedness actions.