Preparedness for norwesters

A norwester during this time of the year is a common affair in Bangladesh. The alarming rise in the number and intensity of this tropical storm is becoming a dominant natural phenomenon here. Sometimes the storm, locally known as Kalbaishakhi, becomes so severe that it uproots trees, tilts electric poles, devastates crops, capsizes boats, and even takes away lives of people. Old trees or their branches falling on passersby can cause tragic deaths in the urban areas. Over the past few years, deadly lightning strikes during norwesters have struck terror into hearts of rural people.

Natural disasters cannot be contained. But we must try to minimise the damages they cause. There should be attempts to prevent death in such incidents. Weather forecast in the national media should warn of dangers. People should follow them and take precautions. The authorities concerned must be prepared to tackle such weather events. The government should have a contingency plan in place for such occurrences. Awareness among the public, especially about what to do in case of such an event, is also vital. Unless we do that, we will continue to suffer.

Shahjahan Sirazi,

Malibagh, Dhaka,

mshaju001@gmail.com