Host: The Association of Japanese Geographers
Bangladesh is one of the most densely populated countries in the world. Its population is exceeding 150 million, while the land area is only 40 % compared with that of Japan. Bangladesh is located in the heart of the South Asian monsoon region where copious rainfall is concentrated in summer monsoon season. Moreover, it is located in the juxtaposition where two major rivers; the Ganges and Burahmaputra murge together, and where another river; the Meghna whose drainage basin includes the most rainiest region of the world; the Meghalaya Plateau also murges together with these rivers within its country. Thus, this country is prone to big flood disasters. In addition, Cyclones from the Bay of Bengal also caise serious damages. When accompanied with the large storm surges, the number of death sometimes exceeded 100,000. Most parts of Bangladesh are less than 10 metres above the sea level, and it is feared if the sea level were to rise by global warming, its submersing area wold increase more and more. The recent situations of flood and cyclone disasters in Bangladesh will be presented.
