Analysis of landslide-induced fatalities and injuries in Bangladesh: 2000-2018

Abstract

Landslides are one of the most substantial damaging and recurrent disasters in the hilly areas of Bangladesh. In the last decades, devastating landslides have repeatedly hit the hilly regions of the country, typically due to climate change along with other anthropogenic causes such as high population density, unplanned land use, and rampant hill cutting. However, there is a lack of an official database to analyze the trends of the landslide disaster in Bangladesh. In this vein, this paper compiled a catalog of 204 reported landslides in Bangladesh that caused 727 deaths and 1017 injuries during the period 2000–2018. The average number of annual landslides is 19, with a 4% yearly growth rate, which results in 38 fatalities and 54 injuries yearly on average. Using data from three national and two regional newspapers, the study finds that monsoon summer is the most damaging season and 83% of landslides are primarily triggered by heavy rainfall. A Hot Spot Analysis tool (Getis-Ord- Gi* algorithm) was used to identify the spatial concentration of high and low landslide affected areas in Bangladesh. Of 64 districts in the country, eight were exposed by landslide episodes, five were recognized as profoundly affected. Moreover, three sub-districts (Chattogram City Corporation, Ukhiya and Teknaf) have been identified as hot spot areas. Finally, the study will assist academicians for continuing risk studies through understanding the trends of landslide related causalities; policymakers for formulating suitable policies considering the high landslide affected areas; consequently, help local communities to protect their life and properties through raising awareness.

Keywords

• landslides
• landslide database
• fatalities
• injuries
• monsoon
• bangladesh