Reasons for non-evacuation and shelter-seeking behaviour of local population following cyclone warnings along the Bangladesh coast

In this study, researchers provide information on shelter-seeking places in Bangladesh during the latest cyclones and analyse the reasons why some residents do not evacuate the affected regions post cyclone ­­­warning. Bangladesh has successfully reduced the number of deaths caused by tropical cyclones associated with storm surges in its territory. The factors responsible for this success include significant improvements in satellite-based cyclone detection, early warning systems, and emergency evacuation. However, during such events, some residents prefer not to evacuate the region. 

The study finds the following:

• In Bangladesh, community trust in warnings increased from 56 % during the 1991 Cyclone Gorky to 96 % during the 2020 Cyclone Amphan;
• Researchers identified the foundational reasons for the non-evacuation behavior of the residents and analyzed why they preferred to remain home or take shelter in adjacent strong building infrastructures;
• Valuable insights into the factors that affect effective evacuation planning and cyclone disaster risk management along the Bangladesh coast.