We Prepare: Story of Disaster Preparedness

Local knowledge is the key tool for the people of coastal Khulna to prepare for frequent disasters.

When the presage of devastating cyclone is forecasted over television or radio, what we supposed to do then?

We must take all possible measures to protect our lives and resources from the surge. What if there is electronic devices like television or radio? And this is the truth for most poor families in the coastal regions.

The how do they get proper information about cyclones and storms?

The solution is the "Local Knowledge".

In the south west coastal region of Bangladesh is introduced by natural hazards every year. It's because of the geographical position. But it's not a curse from God as He has taught people to use their knowledge against such hazards.

Using local knowledge, the villagers can make themselves confirm about a storm or cyclone in certain conditions. The responsibility goes to the elders to confirm it. After taking interview of some community people of the Batiaghata Upazila of Khulna, I have learned something interesting about local knowledge.

The elders of the community have enough experience to explain the critical weather conditions. The darkness of the cloud makes them understand whether a storm will surge or not. Along with the cloud condition air turbulence and temperature also helps them to be aware of hazards.

The elder check the local rivers to know about the cyclone and flood. "The rise of temperature and height of river water is significant of cyclone and flood" one of the interviewed old man said.

Some other interesting information was given by another person, a fisherman. He said that fickle behavior of cattle in certain weather condition is a symbol of natural imbalance situation. In such condition insects as ants and snakes rush out from their dorm hole. The birds also behave in different ways.

The people of south west coastal region of Bangladesh also use their indigenous knowledge before, during and after disasters. When they are confirmed of cyclone or flood they take the cattle to a safer place, protect their houses with rope and logs, preserve dry foods and emergency documents and money under ground, and finally they move to protect their lives to a shelter. They have been made aware of going to shelter by the Government and some Non-Government Organizations. Even the uneducated housewives are also aware of disasters now.

Before the Cyclone Sidre we were not so aware. We did not response to the cyclone shelter. Many of us died, and loss of resources were a lot. But now we aware of it. We are prepared. "When the Aila visited in 2009, it could not take from us much." was an opinion of a housewife.