Khalil Uddin Farid, Bhola

Every time a cyclone, tidal surge, or flood approaches, fear grips the coastal communities of Bhola. Despite decades of experience in dealing with natural disasters, significant gaps remain in disaster preparedness and access to safe shelters.

Many cyclone shelters across the district are in poor condition and lack basic facilities. At the same time, residents say the number of volunteers under the Cyclone Preparedness Programme (CPP) is inadequate for the vast coastal region. As a result, thousands of people face uncertainty over evacuation, rescue operations, and relief assistance whenever disaster strikes.

According to official sources, all seven riverine upazilas (sub-districts) of Bhola are highly vulnerable to cyclones, tidal surges, floods, and river erosion. The district administration says that 746 cyclone shelters are ready for use, along with 15 Mujib Killas (multi-purpose disaster shelters), while seven additional shelters are currently under construction. However, the reality on the ground paints a different picture, as many existing shelters suffer from years of inadequate maintenance and are no longer fully usable.

Visits to several shelters and conversations with local residents revealed that many lack safe drinking water, functional toilets, reliable electricity, and proper ventilation. Separate facilities and adequate security for women, children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities are also absent in many locations. Consequently, some families choose to remain in their vulnerable homes despite the risks rather than move to overcrowded or poorly maintained shelters.

Mohammad Sihab Hossain, a resident of Dhonia in Bhola Sadar Upazila, said, "Whenever storms or floods come, we live in fear. At the shelter, the water taps are broken, the toilets are unusable, and there is hardly any ventilation. It becomes extremely difficult to stay there with our families."

Musa Kha, a resident of Madanpur in Daulatkhan Upazila, said, "During floods, even the cooking stove goes underwater. There is no cyclone shelter nearby, so we are forced to spend days with our children in waist- or even neck-deep water."

The Cyclone Preparedness Programme (CPP) plays a critical role in issuing early warnings, evacuating residents, and supporting rescue efforts. According to CPP data, Bhola currently has 13,860 registered volunteers, with each unit consisting of 15 to 20 male and female volunteers. However, many local residents question whether this workforce is sufficient to serve the district's vast coastline, isolated islands, and remote riverine communities.

Hasanul Amin, Deputy Director of CPP in Bhola, said, "All seven upazilas of Bhola are riverine and highly vulnerable to disasters. At present, 13,860 registered volunteers are actively engaged in disaster preparedness and emergency response activities."

Bhola District Primary Education Officer Aminul Islam said, "During disasters, all government primary schools in the district are opened as temporary shelters. Some schools may have infrastructure-related problems, but these are being repaired gradually."

Meanwhile, Superintending Engineer of the Bangladesh Water Development Board, Muhammad Hasanuzzaman, said that several major embankment projects have been submitted for government approval after identifying vulnerable riverbanks. Construction will begin as soon as approval is granted.

Bhola District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer Syed Md. Azim Uddin said, "The district currently has 100 metric tons of rice, BDT 500,000 in emergency funds, and 50 bundles of corrugated iron sheets allocated for each upazila. The administration is fully prepared to respond to any disaster."

However, disaster management experts and local civil society representatives argue that increasing the number of shelters alone is not enough. Existing shelters must be maintained in usable condition, with safe drinking water, proper sanitation, and separate security arrangements for women and children.

Although damage assessments are conducted after every major disaster, local residents say the pace of shelter renovation, maintenance, and volunteer capacity-building has fallen far short of what is needed.

As a result, every disaster season raises the same critical questions for Bhola's coastal communities: The shelters may exist—but are they truly safe? Disaster preparedness may be in place—but is it effective enough to protect those who need it most?