Media Dialogue: Journalists have a crucial role in disaster awareness

Bangladesh faces various natural disasters every year, including floods, cyclones, storm surges, droughts, and lightning strikes. The risks associated with these disasters are increasing further due to the impacts of climate change. However, timely early warning systems and swift preventive measures can significantly reduce casualties and damage.

Every year, Bangladesh experiences both seasonal and flash floods, cyclones, storm surges, heatwaves, cold waves, excessive rainfall, droughts, river erosion, and earthquakes. In coastal regions, rising salinity levels in water and soil are creating new public health risks. In addition, lightning strikes continue to claim a considerable number of lives annually. Nevertheless, the risks of loss of life and property from disasters such as storms, floods, heavy rainfall, and lightning can be substantially minimized through effective dissemination of early warning messages and prompt action.

Speakers made these remarks on Thursday, at a dialogue titled “Media Dialogue: Disaster Early Warning,” held at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in the capital. The event was jointly organized by the Bangladesh Meteorological Department and Plan International Bangladesh.

The speakers emphasized that following early warning instructions significantly reduces disaster risks. They stressed that government and non-government organizations, along with the media, must work together to ensure that weather forecasts and warning messages reach marginalized communities on time. The session was moderated by Firoz Chowdhury, Assistant Editor of Prothom Alo.

Speaking as the chief guest, Defence Secretary Md. Ashraf Uddin said that Bangladesh is one of the world’s most disaster-prone countries due to its geographical location, high population density, and the effects of climate change. He noted that the media now plays a vital role in quickly disseminating early warning messages to people. Referring to the devastating 1970 cyclone, which claimed hundreds of thousands of lives, he said that the death toll from cyclones has now fallen below 20 in many cases due to improved warning systems and preparedness. Early warnings have also helped reduce losses of livestock and human lives. He added that equal importance should be given to minimizing agricultural crop damage. He stressed the need to deliver reliable and easily understandable warning messages to people and to assure them that their property would remain secure if they moved to cyclone shelters.

Director General of the Department of Disaster Management, Rezwanur Rahman, said that Bangladesh is currently ranked as the world’s 13th most disaster-prone country. However, through coordinated efforts, the country has achieved remarkable progress in disaster management. He stated that multipurpose shelters are now being constructed, which serve as schools during normal times and as shelters during disasters. These shelters include facilities for livestock, cooking arrangements, and accessible washrooms for persons with disabilities. He added that many people hesitate to move to shelters because of concerns over the safety of their livestock and belongings, and therefore information about these facilities needs wider publicity.

Sajjad Hossain, Executive Engineer at the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre of the Bangladesh Water Development Board, said that media outlets usually become more active in seeking information during floods. However, if early warning messages are regularly broadcast before floods occur, people would have more time to prepare themselves.

Mohammad Nazmul Abedin, Director (Administration) and Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, said that after receiving cyclone warnings, his ministry works to move people to shelters with the help of 80,000 volunteers. However, many people place greater trust in information broadcast by the media. Therefore, he stressed that the media should give greater importance to promoting early warning messages and encouraging people to take shelter.

Kabita Bose, Country Director of Plan International Bangladesh, said that disasters do not affect everyone equally. Women, girls, elderly people, persons with disabilities, and marginalized communities are often the most vulnerable. She emphasized the importance of ensuring both pre-disaster warning messages and post-disaster support services for these groups. She also highlighted the need to raise public awareness about lightning early warnings and safety measures.

In his welcome speech, Director of the Bangladesh Meteorological Department Md. Momenul Islam said that weather forecasts, early warning messages, and climate change-related information are regularly being disseminated to the public. He noted that while accurate information helps reduce casualties and damage, misinformation and fake news can cause serious harm. Therefore, he emphasized that the media has an extremely important role in communicating accurate information in simple and understandable language.