Cyclone Mahasen in Northeast Sri Lanka, Northeast India, Chittagong Division, Bangladesh and Rakhine State, Myanmar (May 2013)

On the morning of 16 May, cyclonic storm Mahasen made landfall in Patuakhali district in southern Bangladesh moved forward to the northeast away from Myanmar, weakened and dissipated on 17 May. Relevant storm tracking sites stopped tracking the weather system once it moved over northern Bangladesh early on 17 May. 7 deaths were reported by the Government of Sri Lanka. The Government of Bangladesh reported 14 deaths, 65 injured persons. Myanmar was spared much impact from the cyclone, since the storm took a more westerly track than anticipated. Cyclone Mahasen was weakened in its strength from category 3 to tropical storm, category 1. Assessments indicate that there is no significant damage; however there are localized pockets of flooding which may see limited needs for provision of drinking water, sanitation and hygiene, and temporary shelter to people who have been affected. Most of the deaths were caused due to trees falling or homes collapsing as noted.

• Advance situation report
  pdf, 138kb
• Cyclone Mahasen Emergency Situation Report 1
  pdf, 514kb
• Cyclone Mahasen WCO Bangladesh Emergency Situation Report 1
  pdf, 466kb
• Cyclone Mahasen Emergency Situation Report 2
  pdf, 503kb
• Cyclone Mahasen WCO Bangladesh Emergency Situation Report 2
  pdf, 458kb
• Cyclone Mahasen WCO Myanmar Emergency Situation Report 2
  pdf, 242kb

On April 24, the 9-storied building--Rana Plaza collapsed in Savar bus stand area of Dhaka which housed five garment factories, a branch of bank and a market. Rescue operations have stepped into their 20th straight day on Monday (13 May 2013). The Rescue team is conducting the 2nd phase of the operation with heavy equipment continued for the fourteenth consecutive day to recover last body from the debris in the collapsed Rana Plaza. The death toll of the Savar building collapse reached to 1143. 319 Injured admitted persons are receiving treatment in different health facilities as of today and 1885 people were discharged after receiving treatment. Two teams (one team composed of Divisional Director of Dhaka with 5 members and other composed of Director of Hospital, DGHS with 5 members) are continuously monitoring the situation. WHO has provided blood transfusions sets, dressing and first aid materials along with Inj Tetanus Immuno Globulin (TIG) and Inj Tetanus Toxoed (TT) with emergency medicines to Savar Upazila Health Complex, Anam Medical College Hospital, NITOR and DMCH for treatment of the injured persons, and is closely monitoring the situation.

• Situation Report #1
  pdf, 437kb
• Situation Report #2
  pdf, 587kb
• Situation Report #3
  pdf, 326kb
• Situation Report #4
  pdf, 512kb
• Situation Report #5
  pdf, 440kb
• Situation Report #6
  pdf, 372kb

On Friday, 22 March 2013, a tornado ripped through more than a dozen rural villages in the eastern Bangladesh district of Brahmanbaria in the Chittagong division, battering six unions of three upazilas(sub district). On Saturday, 23 March, another tornado lashed 50 villages in Patnitola and Damurhuda upazilas of Naogaon districts in the Rajshahi Division. At least 36 people are killed, 413 severely injured and more than 1,800 families are affected. The government of Bangladesh has responded to the emergency and is currently engaged in relief efforts. Rescue operations are carried out with the help of Fire Service, BGB, Police, RHD, PWD and local public representative. Medical teams from Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW) have been sent to provide emergency healthcare services. WHO is monitoring the situation in close coordination with the MoHFW and is on stand-by to provide support as needed.

• Situation Report

Instability in Rakhine State that begun on May 28th resulted in the displacement of over 74 800 people, 89 deaths and the destruction of over 5,000 homes. However, a new wave of violence shook the region in October, displacing a further 34,600. The total number of IDPs has now reached over 115,000, according to the authorities. The recent events left an additional 90 people dead, 5,300 buildings destroyed and 136 wounded. With the situation remaining tense and volatile, the authorities have increased security efforts.

• Myanmar
  Situation Reports