1. LEDC Tropical Storm Case Study
Cyclone One Bravo, Bangladesh

2. What do you need to revise?
Where is the cyclone region?
What happened?
What were the human, economic & environmental effects of the cyclone?
How had things improved since 1991?
What relief was available?

3. Where?
Gathered intensity in Bay of Bengal and struck SE coast of Bangladesh on 19th May 1997.
250km per hr winds caused serious damage & flooding of the eastern coastal belt of Bangladesh, home to approx 4 million people.
The worst effects felt along coastal areas such as Chittong.
The winds continued northwards bringing torrential rain to the Himalayas trapping 8 Mount Everest base camp expeditions.
Effects were similar to those of the cyclone that hit the same area in 1991 killing 140,000 but this time death tolls were significantly lowered.

5. Human effects 111 people died, 700 injured. 500,000 made homeless.
Wells contaminated by sea water.
Disease was common.
Communication links between Maheshkhali Island and the mainland were severely disrupted.

6. Economic effects 608 schools damaged.
Fishermen lost their incomes as boats and nets were broken.
30,000 hectares of land were damaged.
2000 cows died.
Electricity supplies failed in most areas.
Roads, bridges & cyclone shelters were destroyed.

7. Environmental effects
Fish ponds were contaminated.
Flood embankments were damaged leading to increased risk of flooding.
Many low lying islands in Bay of Bengal destroyed.
Soil erosion in the foothills of Himalayas.

8. How had things improved since 1991?
-Quick international aid response, CARE (World’s largest private international relief & development agency)
Low tide
Protection schemes
After many storms the Bangladeshi government had become experts at lessening the death tolls.
With the help of International Aid materials for building shelter, food, water, clothing, washing resources were distributed to where they were needed.

9. Protection Schemes:
Earth embankments have been constructed but are not high enough or strong enough.
In some areas cyclone shelters have been built, made of concrete and constructed above floodwater levels but in many areas the flimsy housing is completely destroyed.
Education programmes have been implemented so people know how to react and deal with a storm.
Tree Planting schemes to absorb the storm surge.

10. Why to people continue to live in areas prone to tropical storms?
LEDC:
I’m a farmer and can’t leave my land
All my family live here
I haven’t got enough money to live anywhere else
Cyclones don’t happen very often I’ll be ok!

11. Why to people continue to live in areas prone to tropical storms?
MEDC:
All my friends are here
I’ve got good insurance
My house is well built, it will be alright
I’ve got a good job and house. Why should I leave?

12. Typical Questions:
Give 3 reasons why people continue to live in areas which are at risk from tropical storms. [3]
The effects of tropical storms are different if they occur in an MEDC rather than an LEDC. Explain how the effects are different. Refer to examples you have studied. [5]