Recalling Sidr: Take right as left takes to mass grave

On November 15, 2007, a dark day in Bangladesh’s history of natural disasters, Super Cyclone Sidr struck the coastal regions of the world’s largest delta, located by the Bay of Bengal. There is no exact count of the number of lives lost in the cyclone, as the official and unofficial death tolls vary widely. The government reported around 3,400 deaths, while various unofficial sources estimated nearly 10,000. About 55,000 people were injured, and many went missing. Around 7 million people were directly affected, with several hundred thousand left homeless. Homes, farmland, livestock, and fish farms in the coastal areas were devastated, and many trees and wildlife in the Sundarbans were severely damaged.

Based on my experience of covering the news in various coastal areas for nearly three weeks following Cyclone Sidr, I can say that Sidr shattered the backbone of the coastal economy. The extent of the loss, including rice, seasonal crops, trees, fish, and small businesses, was difficult to estimate immediately. However, fifteen days after the disaster, on November 30, the government reported that 1,275,315 metric tons of food grains had been damaged. At the time, crops such as Aman, IRRI, and other local rice varieties were in the fields. Compared to IRRI or hybrid rice, Aman and other native rice varieties appeared to have suffered less damage, as local farmers noted that the root systems of indigenous rice tend to be stronger.

Sidr's devastation affected the coastal region in two ways. Firstly, the tidal surge swept away countless people, animals, and homes. Secondly, the 250-kilometer-per-hour cyclonic winds uprooted millions of trees, many of which fell on house roofs. Consequently, a large portion of fatalities occurred due to people being trapped under collapsed homes. Among the fallen trees, rain trees, chambul, mahogany, silk trees, and acacias were particularly noticeable, while indigenous fruit trees like mango, blackberry, amla, and dewa were comparatively less affected. Trees such as palm, coconut, betel nut, and date palms were largely unharmed, except for a few scattered betel nut trees, which were damaged by the impact of larger falling trees.

Local elders mentioned that during cyclones and tidal surges, coconut and betel nut trees act as natural barriers to strong winds and water currents. Additionally, after a cyclone, coconut water serves as a substitute for drinking water and food. Due to their strong, thick roots, trees like tamarind, banyan, peepal, bakul, jarul, neem, gab, blackberry, and arjuna do not uproot easily during cyclones. Banana trees are often used as makeshift rafts during tidal surges. This raises questions about whether the coastal areas have the types of trees that are most suitable for such environments, and whether, even 17 years after the widespread destruction caused by Sidr, there has been any significant shift in government policies and local perspectives on planting trees in the coastal regions.

According to research by COAST, an organization working on coastal ecosystems, one-third of Bangladesh’s mangrove forests have been destroyed over the last 50 years. In the 1990s, the extensive shrimp farming projects in southern Bangladesh led to the complete destruction of the Chakaria Sundarbans, which spanned about 22,000 acres and was the country's second-largest mangrove forest. Experts believe that beyond human-induced causes, global climate change and rising temperatures are also significant contributors to mangrove loss. As the earth’s temperature rises, so does sea level, increasing the risk of flooding in low-lying coastal areas and islands, which endangers mangrove and wetland ecosystems.

At the ongoing global climate summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, representatives from Bangladesh, one of the countries most affected by climate change, have presented various recommendations to safeguard the country's future. Professor Muhammad Yunus, the chief advisor of the interim government, called for the creation of a “world of three zeros”: zero carbon emissions, zero wealth concentration through social business, and zero unemployment through self-entrepreneurship. According to him, this vision could give rise to a new civilization. Dr. Yunus stated that humanity has adopted a lifestyle that works against the environment; however, to survive, we must create a new culture, a counter-culture based on a different way of life. He envisioned a world without fossil fuels, powered only by renewable energy, and believes that with shared dreams, this goal is achievable.

It’s undeniable that awareness among Bangladeshis regarding natural disaster resilience has increased. For instance, while Cyclone Sidr in 2007 caused significant casualties, Cyclone Aila, which struck two years later, resulted in far fewer deaths. One major reason for the loss of life during Sidr was that many people, especially herders, did not evacuate, as they were afraid of leaving their cattle unprotected from tiger attacks in the Sundarbans.

Speaking with people in the coastal areas, it seemed that many couldn't believe the storm would be so devastating. They had received such warnings before, but the storms had often not hit as severely. People either didn’t believe in Sidr’s impact or were overly confident. Another reason was that, although Red Crescent volunteers urged people in high-risk areas to go to cyclone shelters, many disregarded this advice. They were reluctant to leave their homes and livestock unprotected, so some chose to stay with their cattle, goats, ducks, and chickens, even on the stormy night. But the day after the cyclone struck, the rivers and canals along the coast were filled with the bodies of hundreds of cattle and buffalo floating in the water.

This horrific experience with Sidr deeply impacted the mindset of the coastal people. Consequently, when the warning signals came for Cyclone Aila, most people in vulnerable areas sought shelter in cyclone centers or other safe places, resulting in fewer casualties. After Sidr, subsequent cyclones such as Nargis, Bulbul, Mahasen, and Rimala also caused significantly less loss of life.

Sidr, therefore, was a turning point that fundamentally changed how Bangladeshis perceive cyclones. One significant reason for the high losses during Sidr was the lack of cyclone shelters. Residents of Padma village in Patharghata, Barguna, shared that when they realized Sidr was approaching, it was already too late; only those who lived close to shelters could reach them in time, while those farther away took refuge on embankments or high roads. Similar accounts were reported from the disaster-affected people in Mathbaria, Pirojpur. In those areas, the shortage of shelters, coupled with the deteriorated condition of many shelters, left people vulnerable even within the supposed refuge.

The good news is that after Cyclone Sidr, a large number of cyclone shelters were constructed along the coast. Many school and union council buildings were also designed to serve as shelters during storms and tidal surges. This means that Sidr prompted a significant shift in state policy; however, on the other hand, the coastal areas still lack the necessary tree cover and forests. Instead, indiscriminate logging has occurred, forests have been cleared, and some reforestation projects have been mismanaged, leading to wasted public funds. The absence of necessary embankments has also exacerbated the damage from Sidr.

In a study on the 1991 cyclone, titled The Bangladesh Cyclone of 1991: Why So Many People Died, it was reported that in Kutubdia, Cox’s Bazar, 19,133 people lost their lives, most of whom were women and children. A major reason for this extensive loss was the lack of appropriate embankments.

People on the coast faced similar challenges during Sidr. In Padma, an area south of Patharghata in Barguna, there is an embankment near the confluence of the Bishkhali and Baleshwar rivers. While houses outside the embankment were completely destroyed by Sidr, the embankment also failed to protect those within its boundary, as a large section of it had been damaged years earlier and was not effectively repaired. Even 17 years after Sidr, similar scenes can be observed across coastal regions. According to media reports, during Cyclone Aila in 2009, 76 kilometers of embankments along the Khulna and Satkhira coasts were completely destroyed, while 362 kilometers were partially damaged. Every year, there are reports of embankment collapses in various areas. The Water Development Board (BWDB) often undertakes projects to repair embankments permanently, but soon after, these embankments collapse again, flooding village after village.

During Cyclone Amphan in 2020, 4.5 kilometers of the total 119 kilometers of embankment in Koyra Upazila, Khulna, were completely destroyed, while 33 kilometers were partially damaged. As a result, 150,000 people across 47 villages in Koyra became trapped in floodwaters. Villagers took the initiative to repair the embankments through voluntary labor. In addition, Dacope, Paikgacha, Batiaghata, and Dumuria upazilas in Khulna contain about 800 kilometers of embankments, of which 40-50 meters were entirely broken, and 40 kilometers were partially damaged. The army worked on repairing the embankments at three critical points.

Most recently, in May, Cyclone Rimala hit the country’s coastal areas, once again bringing the embankment issue to the forefront. Hundreds of thousands of people became concerned about vulnerable embankments, yet every year, millions of taka are spent on embankment repairs. With each disaster, urgency around embankment reinforcement arises, funds are allocated, but despite this, the embankments continue to break. Additionally, the repair projects have become infamous for misappropriations, with funds disappearing under the guise of hundreds of crores being spent on restoration, often with little visible impact. Coastal people joke that if all the money ever spent or allocated for embankment construction and repair were bundled together, it could serve as blocks on the broken embankments themselves.

The lack of planned and permanent embankments results in yearly erosion, for which officials at the Water Development Board are held responsible. When tidal waters begin to threaten the embankments, local people often spring into action with voluntary repair work. It is usually only then that the authorities initiate repair efforts, which increases costs and often leads to substandard repairs. Even when lists of at-risk embankments are submitted to the ministry for approval and funding, delays in approval prevent timely interventions in areas facing imminent collapse. Local people often make valiant efforts to protect embankments in this manner, filling gaps with whatever resources they can muster.

Local conflicts also often delay the repair of breached embankments, causing the damaged sections to widen. These conflicts typically arise over the supply of sand for repairs, or the placement of ring embankments behind the broken sections. While local people frequently attempt repairs through voluntary efforts, the Water Development Board (WDB) is responsible for fortifying the embankments on both sides with sandbags and sand tubes. However, disputes over the supply of sand and labor often break out among local political leaders, contractors, and influential individuals. As a result, repairs are hastily and poorly done, leading the embankments to break again.

Most of the contractors for embankment construction and repair are not local. Often, the initial contractor who wins the bid subcontracts the work to another contractor, who then subcontracts it further. This sequential contracting reduces the amount of allocated funds by the time the work is executed, resulting in subpar construction. Although funds are allocated each year for embankment repairs, the repairs are frequently inadequate, leaving people calling for sustainable embankments year-round.

To address this, the state’s planning should consider the lasting memories of Cyclone Sidr, Aila, and other subsequent cyclones. With annual river erosion, tidal surges, and cyclones caused by global climate change, a comprehensive, forward-thinking plan is crucial to minimize coastal damages. Additionally, there is a longstanding demand to hand over embankment maintenance, repair, and restoration tasks to local governments, including union and upazila councils, with the Water Development Board providing only technical assistance.

Considering the impacts of climate change, it is essential to develop a permanent embankment plan that looks at least a hundred years ahead, based on local people’s experiences and perspectives. Local adaptation planning should be created and implemented to counter climate change impacts effectively.

Let’s conclude the narrative with a personal experience of Cyclone Sidr. Three or four days after Sidr struck, I was traveling from one area to another in the evening with local journalist Sohel Hafiz in Barguna. We navigated the path using the dim light from a mobile phone. As we walked, I noticed a small crowd gathered in front of a small, storm-damaged shop to our right. Observing our approach, they warned us to walk on the right side of the road. When we asked why, they replied, “Mass grave ahead.” The words "mass grave" halted us in our tracks. A chill ran down my spine, and I instinctively gripped Sohel’s hand, slowing our pace.

They explained that the tidal surge from Sidr had flooded most of the area’s dry land and burial sites, leaving no place for the dead to be properly buried. As a result, they had to bury the deceased beside the elevated roadside. Though the area was fenced off with branches, it was difficult to see clearly in the evening darkness. In the village of Gorjanbunia, located in Barguna’s Noltona Union No. 10, nineteen graves held twenty-nine individuals who had lost their lives. Later, the local administration built a memorial at the site.

Nearly two decades ago, as a junior reporter from Dhaka, I went to cover the devastating aftermath of that disaster for a national newspaper. Even now, those words echo in my mind: “Walk on the right side; the left side is the mass grave.”

Amin Al Rasheed: Journalist and Writer