Country Report of Bangladesh
Review of 2011 Cyclone Season (Agenda item 3)
Cyclone ‘Thane’ during 26-30 December 2011
A low pressure area formed over south Bay of Bengal on 25 December 2011. It intensified into
a Well Marked Low and then to a Deep Depression at 0300UTC on 26 December over Southeast Bay
and adjoining area (Lat. 09.5°N, Lon. 87.5°E). The system moved northwards over the same area and
intensified into a Cyclonic Storm ‘Thane” (ECP: 994 hPa) at 0000UTC of 27 December and its central
location was at Lat. 11.0°N, Lon. 87.5°E. The system then changed its direction of movement, moved
west-northwestwards first and then northwestward and westward till 0000UTC of 29 December. At
0000UTC of 29 December the system intensified further into a Severe Cyclonic Storm ‘Thane” (ECP:
984 hPa) over Southwest Bay and adjoining West Central Bay (Lat. 12.5°N, Lon. 84.5°E). After that it
moved west-southwestwards and intensified further into a Severe Cyclonic Storm with a Core of
Hurricane Winds ‘Thane” (ECP: 980 hPa) over the same area (Lat. 12.0°N, Lon. 83.0°E) at 0600UTC
of 29 December. Then the system moved west/west-southwestwards and finally crossed the coast of
Tamilnadu (between Nagapatnam and Chennai) of India in the early morning of 30 December and
positioned over Punducherry and weakend afterwards by giving precipitation and became unimportant.
The track associated with the Severe Cyclonic Storm with a Core of Hurricane Winds ‘Thane’ is
illustrated in Figure below.
26°N
Bangladesh
24°N
22°N
20°N
India
Myanmar
18°N
28,00
29,06
29,00
28,12
14°N
30,00
29,18
16°N
12°N
27,00
10°N
26,03
8°N
Bay of Bengal
80°E
85°E
90°E
95°E
Figure: Track associated with the Severe Cyclonic Storm with a Core of Hurricane Winds Thane’
during 26-30 December 2011
Report On The Impact Of Tropical Cyclones (Agenda item 3.2)
There was no tropical cyclone directly affecting Bangladesh in 2011.
Weather Condition of Bangladesh during January to June 2011
Rainfall condition during winter season (January-February) in Bangladesh
Temporal variation of country averaged rainfall during January and February is shown in Fig. 1.
It is found that there were insignificant amounts of rainfall recorded in Bangladesh during these months.
Only one rain spell observed during 15-17 January 2011 under the influence of westerly trough
associated with the extension of seasonal low located over south Bay of Bengal covering southeastern,
central and north eastern parts of Bangladesh. During this period the maximum amount of 09 mm
rainfall recorded at Teknaf (17 January). As a result the country averaged rainfall of January was below
than normal by 84.1%. Under the same synoptic situation an active rain spell also observed during 1617 February 2011 and light to moderate rainfall recorded over northwestern part of Bangladesh with
the maximum amount of 26 mm rainfall recorded at Dinajpur on 16 February. During 19-21 February
2011 another weak rain spell observed which influenced most part of the country but the rainfall
amounts were insignificant. Hence the country averaged rainfall of February was 87.0% below than
normal.
Rainfall (mm)
2.5
2.0
1.5
1.0
0.5
Jan_01
Jan_04
Jan_07
Jan_10
Jan_13
Jan_16
Jan_19
Jan_22
Jan_25
Jan_28
Jan_31
Feb_03
Feb_06
Feb_09
Feb_12
Feb_15
Feb_18
Feb_21
Feb_24
Feb_27
0.0
Fig. 1: Recorded daily country average rainfall of Bangladesh during January and February in 2011
Weather condition during Pre-monsoon season in Bangladesh
In March isolated rainfall recorded in Bangladesh on 09, 11, 13-19, 21 and 23-24 March due to
the presence of weak westerly trough in association with the local convection and incurring moisture
from the Bay of Bengal. During this period thunderstorms with wide spread rainfall with isolated heavy
falls were recorded in the southeastern parts. For the period of 26-31 March under the same synoptic
situation with more extension of westerly trough towards south, light to moderate rainfall with isolated
heavy falls in association with thunderstorm were observed. During this spell the maximum 80 mm of
rainfall (31 March) were recorded at Chittagong, followed by 68 mm at Sandwip (30 March) and 55 mm
at Hatiya (30 March). But the country averaged rainfall of March was 17.0% below than normal.
In May the influence of Western Disturbance was continuously strong over West Bengal of
India and Bangladesh and hence widespread moderate to moderately heavy rainfall with heavy to very
heavy falls were recorded over the country. The significant amounts of rainfall of 136 mm recorded at
Hatiya (22 May), 114 mm at Chandpur (27 May), 104 mm at Hatiya (29 May) and 101 mm at Srimongal
(02 May). Spatial analysis reveals that the accumulated monthly rainfall was above than normal by
22.5% in Rangpur and 21.3% in Chittagong divisions but it was below than normal by 22.4% in Dhaka
division and normal in all other divisions. As a result the country average rainfall was above than
normal by 5.9%. Recorded daily country average rainfall of pre-monsoon season of Bangladesh is
illustrated in Fig. 2.
30
Rainfall (mm)
25
20
15
10
5
Mar_01
Mar_05
Mar_09
Mar_13
Mar_17
Mar_21
Mar_25
Mar_29
Apr_02
Apr_06
Apr_10
Apr_14
Apr_18
Apr_22
Apr_26
Apr_30
May_04
May_08
May_12
May_16
May_20
May_24
May_28
0
Fig. 2: Recorded daily country average rainfall of pre-monsoon season of Bangladesh
Rainfall situation during June 2011 in Bangladesh
Southwest monsoon approached upto Yangoon coast on 31st May 2011. It advanced to Teknaf
coast of Bangladesh on 07 June and extended to Chittagong division of Bangladesh on 08 June 2011
and finally covered whole Bangladesh on 12 June 2011. Under the influence of strong western
disturbance and moisture incursion in support of the approaching monsoon towards Bangladesh an
active rain spell observed during 7-11 June over Dhaka, Chitttagong and Sylhet divisions. In this period
widespread moderate to moderately heavy rainfall with heavy to very heavy falls were recorded over
the country. The maximum amounts of rainfall of 131 mm, 105 mm and 98 mm were recorded at
Sylhet (10 June), Mongla (11 June) and Mongla (09 June) and the maximum country average rainfall
of 14.2 mm was observed on 08 June during this spell. Southwest monsoon set over Bangladesh with
active influence. Hence another active rain spell experienced over the country with wide spread heavy
to very heavy rainfall during 14-19 June with the presence of a monsoon depression formed over
Northwest Bay and crossed Bangladesh-West Bengal coast near Raimongal River.
During this period the maximum amounts of 145 mm rainfall recorded at Cox’s Bazar (18 June)
and Maijdi Court (17 June) and the maximum country average rainfall was 40.9 mm on 18 June. A
longer duration of rain spell also experienced during 23-30 June under the influence of active monsoon
phase and positioning of monsoon trough over central part of Bangladesh and another monsoon
trough to North Bay. Heavy to very heavy falls were recorded over most parts of the country. During
this period the maximum amounts of 178 mm rainfall recorded at Teknaf (27 June) followed by 146 mm
at Rangamati (25 June) and the maximum country average rainfall was 44.0 mm on 30 June. The
monthly accumulated rainfall of June was below than normal in Rangpur division; normal in Barisal,
Rajshahi and Sylhet divisions and above than normal in Dhaka, Chittagong and Khulna divisions. As a
result the country averaged rainfall was above than normal by 9.8%. The recorded daily country
average rainfall of June is illustrated in Fig. 3.
50
45
40
Rainfall (mm)
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
Jun_01
Jun_02
Jun_03
Jun_04
Jun_05
Jun_06
Jun_07
Jun_08
Jun_09
Jun_10
Jun_11
Jun_12
Jun_13
Jun_14
Jun_15
Jun_16
Jun_17
Jun_18
Jun_19
Jun_20
Jun_21
Jun_22
Jun_23
Jun_24
Jun_25
Jun_26
Jun_27
Jun_28
Jun_29
Jun_30
0
Fig. 3: Country average daily rainfall of Bangladesh during June 2011
Meteorological component (Agenda item 5.1)
a. Surface Observation
There are 35 surface observatories in Bangladesh Meteorological Department.
b. Upper Air Observation
(i) There are 3(Three) Rawinsonde observatories in Bangladesh Meteorological Department.
(ii) There are 10(Ten) Pilot Balloon observatories in Bangladesh Meteorological Department.
c. Brief description of ground equipment
(i) Cyclone Detection Radars:
• In 2007, two S-band Doppler radar systems were established and operational by
replacing the conventional radar at Cox’s Bazar and Khepupara.
•
These two S-band Doppler Radars are utilized to monitor tropical cyclones and
quantitative rainfall forecasting in the coastal belt.
(ii) Radar for Flash Flood Warning
•
In 2009, another Hydrological cum Meteorological S-band Doppler Radar System was
set up at Moulvibazar (northeastern side of Bangladesh) with the grant aid of Japan.
• The flash floods due to heavy rainfall from severe convection over the steep hilly region
of India in the north eastern part of Bangladesh causes enormous loss to crops and
infrastructure within a short span of time. To monitor this and its associated rainfall this
Radar System is being used.
(iii) Storm Detection Radars
There is One (1) Radar at Rangpur, North-western part of Bangladesh to monitor local
severe storms (Locally known as Kalboishakhi) in the north-western part and central
part of Bangladesh.
(iv) Automatic Weather Station
6(Six) AWS stations have been installed at six different observatory in BMD under JICA
project on “Development of Human Capacity on Operation of Weather Analysis and
Forecasting.”
d. Meteorological Satellite Reception and data processing System

Under the programme of Japan International Cooperation Agency, BMD is receiving
MTSAT satellite image at 30 minutes interval.

Recently BMD is using MICAPS 3.1 to receive satellite imagery from FY2D through
Cma Cast system.
Observational Facilities
a. Synoptic observatories : 35
b. Pilot Observatories : 10
c. Rawinsonde Observatories : 3
d. Agromet observatories : 12
e. RADAR Stations : 5
(operational, out of 3 is Doppler Radar)
f. Earthquake Monitoring
Stations: 4
• Synoptic
Observatory
• Rawinsonde
Observatory
• Pilot Balloon
Observatory
• Agromet
Observatory
Numerical Weather Prediction in BMD
WRF Model:
Current Status:








WRF model is running in BMD since July 2010.
Using GFS data from NCEP.
Time : 72 hours, at 00 UTC
Resolution : 27 Kms
Start at : 10:00 AM
Time required: About 1 hour 20 min.
Products Generating: Rainfall forecast for 24, 48 & 72 hours and same with district boundary.
Initially model ran manually but recently model running automatically.
Requirement:





Technical support and Training for different levels including Advance WRF.
Model run using ECMWF data and GSM data of JMA.
Data assimilation
Large computing power to increase resolution and decrease run time.
Validation using different statistical technique.
IIT-D Storm Surge Model:
Current Status:





Operationally using in BMD
Well tested and simulated for different cyclones with different parameter
Both LINUX and Windows version are installed in BMD.
People of BMD are capable to run the model
BMD people received several training on this model
Requirement:


High resolution output
Input data from other models
MRI Storm Surge Model
Current Status:




BMD arrange a 5-day long training workshop in December 2010, facilitating by RIMES Bangkok
Other model products (surface wind, pressure) can be used as input of the model.
GSM data of JMA using to run the model along with conventional parameters.
BMD people are capable to handle the model.

Not yet tested well
Requirement:




Further training at different levels including advance level are needed.
More tuning needed for BoB Basin
Coupling with WRF or other model
Use ECMWF data or other model data as input.
Bangladesh Meteorological Department has been using JMA Global Spectral Model (GSM) for
Numerical Weather Prediction since October 2010. The resolution for the surface is 0.25°x0.25° and
for upper air is 0.5°x0.5°. The model out are updated everyday accordingly at BMD’s website
www.bmd.gov.bd
Telecommunication Network in BMD
Meteorological Data from RTH New Delhi and 10 synoptic observatories of BMD are
exchanged on routine basis through WMO’s GTS. All the 35 observatories of BMD have been
connected with NMCC Dhaka either by TP or Telephone and single sideband (SSB) etc. or by all the
three systems. Some of the observatories are connected through internet with NMCC and data are
collected on real time basis by using Meteorological Data Acquisition software. The communications
between Storm Warning Centre (SWC) and Radar Station at Cox’s Bazar and Khepupara have been
upgraded to VSAT link. NMCC uses MSS software obtained from WMO/UNDP Regional Computer
Network programme for reception and transmission of all meteorological data.
*
*
All the observatories and operational offices of BMD are functional round the clock
under the direct administrative and technical control of the two Regional Meteorological
Centers.
Staff are available to run BMD activities in 24x7 mode
COASTAL INUNDATION FORECASTING DEMONSTRATION PROJECT (CIFDP)
Bangladesh Sub-Project – CIFDP-B
The Bangladesh CIFDP sub-project, denoted CIFDP-B, formally started after achieving the
Initial National Agreement in October, 2011. Immediately thereafter, a Stakeholders Workshop,
encompassing both a user requirements component and a technical component, was organized and
held 28 November - 1 December 2011, hosted at the Bangladesh Meteorological Department in Dhaka.
The Stakeholders Workshop involved more than 50 participants including members of the
Project Steering Group and other international experts as well as a large number of stakeholder
agencies in Bangladesh, including the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), Bangladesh
Water Development Board (BWDB), Cyclone Preparedness Programme (CPP), Disaster Management
Bureau (DMB), and Bangladesh Coast Guard (BCG), Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning
System For Africa and Asia (RIMES), and many others.
The outcomes of the Workshop included a Definitive National Agreement and Terms of
Reference for the CIFDP-B National Coordination Team (NCT), as well as a proposed work plan for
the first year of the project. The DNA and ToR has been submitted for senior management approval of
the signatory agencies.
Information of Bangladesh Meteorological Department’s Sixth Five Year Plan
(2011-2015)
Project Name &
Sl.
Activities
Implementation
Goals
Targets
No
(program/project)
period
Development of The overall goal of the This Project is targeted on the  To conduct the training
Human Capacity Project is to improve
development of human
on Meteorological
on
the capacity of
capacity of BMD on weather Observation, basic NWP
Operation of
Meteorological Service analysis and forecasting,
system, data acquisition
Weather
through improving the introduction of basic
and quality control and
Analysis and
weather analysis and knowledge and methods of the maintenance of the
Forecasting. July forecasting by
aforesaid modern weather
instruments.
2010- Dec 2012 Numerical Weather
analysis technologies as well  To revise the existing
Prediction technique. It as utilizing the equipment
guideline on
will also improve the
which are and to be
Meteorological
capacity of BMD in
established under the grant
Observation in
climate data
aid assistances of the
accordance with latest
1.
management and its
Government of Japan
WMO edition.
application in climate including the other systems
 To establish the
change impact
utilized for the weather
correlation
assessment and
forecasting and analysis.
between actual
scenario development,
rainfall and
management of climate
estimated rainfall
data and running of
for quantitative
climate model Through
rainfall forecasting.
calibration of all the
radar, the issuance of
the quantitative rainfall
forecast BMD will be
improved.
Establishment of To achieve a new
To improve forecasts for
 Renovation of the
Numerical
sophisticated
longer lead time and accuracy. existing observatories.
Weather
quantitative weather
Quantitative precipitation
 Training of BMD's
2
Prediction
forecasting technique forecasts for 6 or 12 or 24
personnel to run NWP
System
for disaster mitigation & hourly, 36 hours, 72 hours.
system.
(2nd Phase) July socio-economic
NWP capability is integrated
 Installation of super
computer and others
NWP equipment
 Real time data
dissemination.
Establishment of The medium and long Data collection system to be  To establish automatic
Automatic
term goals are to
replaced by the Automatic
weather stations and
Meteorological contribute to the
Weather Stations and
dissemination through a
Observing
improvement of living dissemination through a
reliable telemetry on real
System
standard of the people reliable telemetry on real time time basis.
and Wind
of Bangladesh and to basis. Seasonal climate
 Up-gradation of existing
Profilers for
the sustainable
forecast for agriculture and
system to AWS for
Bangladesh
development of
climate scenario-development integration in NWP.
Meteorological socioeconomic
in local perspective for proper  To make safe air
Department.
activities including
adaptation and mitigation of navigation, landing and
July 2011- June activities of any sector climate change. Improved
take off.
2014
through the provision of aviation forecast for the
improved hazardous
International aircrafts through
weather and climate
wind profilers.
information to meet the
future needs and help
the government and
the public in taking
development programs
in more planned
manner and also
contribute to effective
development of all
sectors in Bangladesh.
Up-gradation of Overall goal of the
The Project is targeted to use For proper maintenance
Agroproject is to provide
science of meteorology to the & technical adoption and
Meteorological weather information for service of agriculture in all its manpower training and
Services July
agriculture, shipping, various forms and facts to
capacity strengthens for
2009- June 2013 fishing and aviation and improve the sensible use of
timely and accurate
daily weather forecasts land to help to maximize food forecast/warning.
to the general public. production and to avoid the
irreversible abuse of land
resources. Farmers will be
guided by agro meteorological
advisories and specially
tailored forecasts for
operations such as proper
timing for sowing, planting,
harvesting, irrigation, fertilizer
application, spraying of
pesticides etc. This will help to
increase production, reduce
losses and decrease costs
and ensure food security.
Establishment of To introduce the
Installation of the solar panel * Installation of photo
Solar Panels in renewable energy for system at the roofs of
voltaic cell of solar panel
Existing
meeting up the deficit all the observatories of BMD system.
Observatories
of commercial power of to have uninterrupted
* Physical connection of
Bangladesh.
Bangladesh for
Power Supply for continuous all the sensor.
July 2013- June continuous running of operation of BMD.
* Power back up during
2015
the observatories and
load shading time.
communication system.
"Preparation of For assessing the
Access of in a systematic
2011June 2014
3
4
5
6
development.
with other developments, e.g.
radar, automation of terrestrial
observation stations including
all future development.
7
8
Wind Map of
Coastal Areas
/ Feasible Areas
of Bangladesh
for Assessing
Power
Generation
Potential"
July 2011- June
2013
potential location
assessment of wind resource
regarding wind
and generation of wind energy
generation to design an which will play a vital role in
efficient wind mill.
the field of socio-economic
development. Power
generation source will be
Enriched to provide energy in
national power grid.
Establishment of
1st Class
Observatory at
Five Places
[Panchagar
(Tetulia),
Kishoregonj
(Nikli),
Khagrachari
(Dighinala),
Cox’s Bazar (St.
Martin) and
Bandarban
Jan 2009- June
2013
Improvement of
DMO Sylhet and
PBO Feni &
Construction of
Residential
Building at
Dhaka For
Operational
Officers and
Staffs of BMD
Dec2011- June
2014
To mitigate disasters
and sustainable
agricultural
development in
Bangladesh.
To take observation of local
weather system & to collect
agro meteorological
parameters for issuing agro
meteorological
bulletin/advisory.




To upgrade the
observation system
and to solve up
residential problem of
operational people. To
help the disasters
mitigation and socioeconomic development
of the country to
elevate poverty.
To Improve the existing
Meteorological Observatories
at Sylhet and Feni and to
install digital Meteorological
equipment along with
telemetry, to provide
residential building for
operational officers & staff of
BMD performing operational
activities in feed digital
Meteorological data to the
national forecasting and
warning center SWC. to
reduce the major losses of
lives and properties by natural
disasters.
Acquisition and
development of
land
Construction of
buildings.
Equipment
installation
Manpower
developed
 Proper maintenance &
technical adoption.
 Upgrade of observation
system and dissemination
Met. data.
 Solvency of
accommodation
facilities of operational
people.
Hydrological Component (agenda item 5.2)
Bangladesh Meteorological Department provides all sorts of data, information and weather
forecast to the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) of Bangladesh Water Development
Board (BWDB). A Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) between SWC, Dhaka and FFWC was
established in 1998 through which FFWC receives meteorological and hydrological data (including
rainfall and water discharge data of up stream) along with Radar and Satellite images.
Through the completion of the establishment of Meteorological and Hydrological Doppler Radar
at the north-eastern part of Bangladesh under JICA Grant Assistance, FFWC is being connected by
VSAT link to get all the radar information for flood and flash flood monitoring and forecasting. Also
during execution of JICA’s Technical Cooperation on the Human Capacity Development training will be
imparted to FFWC for radar data calibration and its utilization.
Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre under Bangladesh Water Development Board is
Responsible for Flood Forecast in Bangladesh.
A. Data collection
- Voice data ( HF Wireless network, 67 stations)
- Mobile telephone (3 stations)
- Telemetry System (14 stations)
- Satellite Imagery (GMS, NOAA-12 & NOAA-14)
- On-line data from Bangladesh Meteorological Department, including satellite and rainfall radar
data
B. Satellite Imagery:
- Reception of NOAA-12 and NOAA-14 images via direct acquisition facilities
- Monitoing of cloud & depression movements, precipitation estimation from cloud temperature
analysis
- Cyclone monitoring
C. Real Time Data Management
- GIS based map display showing water level and rainfall status (Flood Watch)
- Data entry & processing
- Automatic data exchange to and from forecasting model
- Display of forecast water levels and discharges
- Automatic generation of flood forecast bulletins
- Generation of flood status at local administrative unit (thana) level
- Automatic statistics generation
D. Flood Forecast Model
Basis: - One dimensional fully hydrodynamic model (MIKE 11 HD) incorporating all major rivers and
floodplains. This is linked to a lumped conceptual rainfall-runoff model (MIKE 11 RR) which
generates inflows from catchments within the country.
Disaster prevention and preparedness component (agenda item 5.3)
Historical statistics would suggest that Bangladesh is one of the most disaster-prone countries
in the world, with great negative consequences being associated with various natural and humaninduced hazards. Bangladesh is extremely vulnerable to natural disasters originating from its unique
geographical location, topography and relatively low capacity of its society and institutions to cope with
such extreme events. As such, and with increasing population and infrastructure at risk, Bangladesh is
globally recognized as the country most vulnerable to tropical cyclones.
The complete Cyclone Warming Programme in the country is supervised by the storm warning
center (SWC) of Bangladesh Meteorological Department. It monitors the cyclonic disturbances in the
Bay of Bengal and advises the Government of Bangladesh at the Apex level.
The cyclone warnings are issued in two stages
Alert Stage
a) Issue as soon as possible the alert warning signals of
formation of depression in the Bay of Bengal.
cyclone, at least 36 hours ahead of
b) Supply information through Website/Fax/telephone/tele-printer to Cyclone Preparedness
Programme (CPP) about the formation of depression in Bay of Bengal so as to allow CPP to
take appropriate actions including dissemination of information to all concerned. Issue warning
signals code ‘Whirlwind’ as per Annexure-A to all concerned officials through telephone, teleprinter, telegram, fax, email etc.
c) Prepare and submit Special Weather Bulletin and broadcast/publicize the same through
national news media such as the all stations of Radio and ‘Television and in national
newspapers for the benefit of the general people. In case of Local Cautionary Signal no.3,
arrange for adequate and full time coordination between SWC of the BMD, Bangladesh Betar,
and Bangladesh Television for publicity beyond normal broadcasting hours.
d) Send Special Weather Bulletins to EOC at the DMRD, DMB the DRR, the CPP and BDRCS for
undertaking adequate arrangements.
Warning State
Publicize warning signals at each of the following specified stages.
(a)
Warning
24 hours before
(b)
Danger
At least 18 hours before
(c)
Great Danger
At least 10 hours before
The same warning signals are to be repeated to the EOC at the DMRD, Control Room of the DMB, the
DRR, the CPP and the BDRCS.
The following information should be mentioned in the signals to be disseminated.
a) Position of the storm centre.
b) Velocity and direction of the storm.
c) Mention of the Upazilas of the Districts likely to be affected, if possible.
d) Appropriate time of commencement of gale wind at different places (velocity above 32
miles/hour or 51.84 km/hour).
BMD is implementing a project “Strengthening Bangladesh Meteorological Departments (BMD)
Early Warning Capacity funded by the Comprehensive Disaster Management Programme 2010-2014
(CDMP-II), Disaster Management and Relief division, Ministry of Food and Disaster Management,
Government of the people’s Republic of Bangladesh. The project has components Develop
methodology and converting forecast to understandable bi-lingual text, Meteorological Training,
Training on WRF model, Training on forecast product visualization (GIS Training), Procurement and
installation of computational hardware, Weather prediction and visualization software procurement, Up
gradation of existing H/W, Establishment of automatic communication system/high speed Internet,
redundant power back up system, Installation of weather studio, existing climate data homogenization.
BMD is the sole authorized government agency to deliver routine weather forecasts & warning
for all extreme events, aviation forecasts, agricultural advisory to farmers and policy makers, climate
data and information, earthquake information and tsunami warning to relevant public and private
stakeholders for overall risk reduction, social and economic activities.
The main test for BMD now is to improve its services delivery while keeping up with the
increasing demands. BMD is also to effectively serving the government and relevant actors with data
and information on the probable impacts of climate change enabling appropriate adaptation and
mitigation measures.
The revised Standing Orders on Disaster (SOD) 2010 have been prepared with the avowed
objective of making the concerned persons understand their duties and responsibilities regarding
disaster management at all levels, and accomplishing them. All Ministries, Divisions/Departments and
Agencies shall prepare their own Action Plans in respect of their responsibilities under the Standing
Orders for efficient implementation. The National Disaster Management Council (NDMC), InterMinisterial Disaster Management Coordination Committee (IMDMCC) and Cabinet Committee on
Disaster Responses (CCDR) will ensure the coordination of disaster-related activities at the National
level. Coordination at District, Upazila and Union levels will be done by the respective District, Upazila
and Union Disaster Management Committees. The Disaster Management Bureau will render all
assistance to them by facilitating the process. Revised and updated SOD indicate additional duties to
the BMD for risk reduction, emergency response and rehabilitation. The detailed responsibilities are
clearly spelt out in the section 4.2.4.1 of the SOD. The National Plan for Disaster Management has set
key targets for strengthen and improve all Hazard Early Warning Systems through technical,
technological and physical capacity strengthening of BMD. The action agenda for 2010-2015 includes
technical and technological capacity building of BMD to improve the accuracy of early warning
information. During CDMP Phase-I an MOU was signed to strengthen BMD and sharing data with the
limited resources. During this phase 35 met-observatory stations were computerized, installed webbased data acquisition system for fetching and dissemination met-data and information, installed LAN
with internet connection and static website for BMD was developed.
Training Component (agenda item 5.4)
a.
Under the grant aid assistances of the Government of Japan in the project
“Development of Human Capacity on Operation of Weather Analysis and Forecasting - July
2010- December 2012” training activities are on going for BMD personnel. The overall goal of
the Project is to improve the capacity of Meteorological Service through improving the weather
analysis and forecasting by Numerical Weather Prediction technique. It will also improve the
capacity of BMD in climate data management and its application in climate change impact
assessment and scenario development, management of climate data and running of climate
model through calibration of all the radar, the issuance of the quantitative rainfall forecast BMD
will be improved.
b.
A memorandum of understanding (MOU) have been signed between Bangladesh
Meteorological Department and Norwegian Meteorological Institute for capacity building of
meteorological personnel in the project "Institutional support and capacity building for mitigation
of weather and climate hazards in Bangladesh"
c.
Other Workshops, Seminars and Training Courses attended by the Met personnel
during the year 2011 were as follows:-
Workshop/Seminar/Training Course
Improvement of weather Services for
the Societal Development in Nepal
NTWC Training Workshop and
WG2/RTT Intersessional Meeting
Abu Dhabi Dialogue Knowledge
Forum Small Grants Program(SGP)
Operational Tropical Cyclone Forecast
at RSMC Tropical Cyclone.
Training Seminar on Application of
Seasonal Forecast GPV Data to
Seasonal Forecast Products.
2nd Advisory Workshop on Enhancing
Forecasting Capabilities for North
Indian Ocean Storm Surges.
Duration
Country
No. of
Persons
10-11 February 2011
Kathmandu, Nepal
1
07-11 February 2011
Hyderabad, India
1
02-03 March 2011
Kathmandu, Nepal
1
28 February’11- March
2011
New Delhi, India
1
18-21 January 2011
Tokyo, Japan
1
11-15 February 2011
New Delhi, India
1
Workshop/Seminar/Training Course
16th Session of the World
Meteorological Congress.
Aviation Meteorology Service in Asia.
Training Course on Meteorological
Hazards Early Warning for Developing
Countries.
BIMSTEC Workshop on Seasonal
Prediction and Application to Society.
Meteorology for Meteorological Official
from Developing Countries.
Regional Training Seminar on WMO
Information System (WIS)
HKH-HYCOS Second Regional
Steering Committee.
BIMSTEC Workshop on seasonal
Prediction and Application to Society
Meteorology from Meteorological
Official from developing countries
Training Workshop and SASCOF-2
Meeting
NK-Storm Surge Modelling
Training course on Meteorological
Hazards Early Warning for Developing
countries.
Asian Climate Change Trends and
Poicy
Reducing Risk of Tsunami Storm
Surges, Large Waves and other
Natural Hazards in Low Elevation
Coastal Zones.
Application of NWP Models in
Mountain Weather and Forecasting
and Extreme Weather Warming over
the SAARC Region.
Regional Workshop on Slandered
Operating Procedures for Tsunami
Warning and Emergency Response
for Indian Ocean Countries
APSCO Third International
Symposium on Earthquake Monitoring
and Early Warning by using Space
Technology
Application of NWP Models in
Mountain Weather and Forecasting
and Extreme Weather Warning Over
the SAARC Reigon.
MASTA 2011 Master Program on
Space Technology Applications
(Satelite Communications)
Workshop/Seminar/Training Course
Group on Earth Observations ( GeoVII) Plenary Session.
Workshop on Climate Change and
Duration
Country
No. of
Persons
11-15 April, 2011
Geneva,
Switzerland
Beijing, China
11-31 May, 2011
Nanjing, China
1
22-23 June, 2011
New Delhi, India
1
15 June-05 July, 2011
Nanjing, China
1
11-14 April,2011
Beijing,China
1
04-06 May,2011
Kathmandu,Nepal
1
22-23 June,2011
New Delhi,India
1
Nanjing,China.
1
16 May-03 June, 2011
1
1
15 June-05 July
2011
08-12 April, and 13-15
April,2011
13-17 June,2011
Puna, India
1
Bankok,Tailand
1
11-13 May,2011
Nanjing,China.
1
20-22 July,2011
Bangalore
India
1
28-30 September,2011
Bangkok ,
Thailand
1
26-27 July, 2011
Delhi India
1
19-23 September,
2011
Jakarta,
Indonesia
1
26-27 July, 2011
Beijing, China
1
13-15 September,2011
Delhi India
1
13 September to
30 June,2012
Beijing, China
1
Duration
Country
No. of
Persons
16-17, November,2011
22-34 November,2011
Istanbul
Turkey
Islamabad
1
1
Sustainable Management of Water
Resources in the Asia-Pacific Region.
Expert Group Meeting on
Development of regional Protocol on
Early Warning System on Cyclones
and Tsunami in South Asia
Workshop on Human Resources
Development for NMHSs in Asia (RAII) and South- West Pacific (RA –V)
Countries
Training Seminar on One Month
Forecast Products and Meeting on
Twelfth Joint Meeting for the Sesonal
Prediction of the East Asian Winter
Monsoon
SAARC Expart Group Meeting on
Regional Drought Monitoring and
Early Warning System.
HYCOS Project- Regional 3rd Steering
Committee Meeting
Workshop on Results and Review on
SAARC STORM Pilot Field
Experiments.
Pakistan
19-20 December,2011
New Delhi India
1
17-21 October,2011
Quizon city,
Philippines
1
07-11November,2011
Tokyo,J apan
1
27-28 December,2011
Hydarabad, India
1
1-2 December,2011
Kathmundu, Nepal
1
21-23 December,2011
Kathmundu, Nepal
1
Research (agenda item 5.5)/Publication Activities (agenda item 5.6)
Research studies have been carried out in the following topics by the members of the Department Analysis of extreme rainfall events
 Analysis of significant Nor‘wester events
 Bangladesh contribute information on significant weather and new developments in the
meteorological service to BMD’s newsletters