Abstract
Dhaka, the capital and only megacity of Bangladesh, is exposed to multiple types of climate- induced hazards including variations in temperature, excessive and erratic rainfall, water logging, flooding, cyclones, and heat and cold waves. These hazards negatively affect city life and livelihoods nearly every year and may worsen as they become coupled with non-climatic factors such as population density, poverty, rural-urban migration, illiteracy, unplanned urbanization and lack of public utilities and services. Immediate measures addressing climate induced vulnerabilities are necessary to the long-term sustainability of Dhaka.
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- 1.
According to an April edition of the Daily Star (2009) Dhaka suffered a 10 day heat wave accompanied by severe scarcity of safe water, shortage of gas supply, infestation of mosquitoes and the incidences of diarrhoea. The heat wave struck a 14-year record high with temperatures of 38.7°C.
- 2.
According to Local Environment Development and Agricultural Research Society (LEDAR). The aftermath of cyclone Aila in May 2009 caused the submersion of 25,000 houses. 95 families in the Gabura Union under Shyamnaga Upazilla of Satkhira District had to migrate elsewhere, most settling in the nearest urban areas, and to the capital, Dhaka.
- 3.
The BMD states that 290 mm of rain fell in 6 h in 28 July 2009, reaching a 60 year record for Dhaka. Nine people were killed in damages associated with high winds (Shelter for the poor, 2009)
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Rabbani, G., Rahman, A.A., Islam, N. (2011). Climate Change Implications for Dhaka City: A Need for Immediate Measures to Reduce Vulnerability. In: Otto-Zimmermann, K. (eds) Resilient Cities. Local Sustainability, vol 1. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-0785-6_52
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