Bangladesh plans nationwide disaster-alert expansion
Bangladesh launches national strategy to deliver life-saving disaster alerts to every citizen as climate-driven cyclones and floods intensify
DHAKA, Bangladesh (MNTV) — Bangladesh has announced an ambitious national blueprint to ensure that every resident of the country receives timely alerts during natural disasters, marking a significant step toward strengthening climate resilience in one of the world’s most vulnerable nations.
The government on Sunday presented the National Roadmap for Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems (MHEWS) at a high-level workshop in the capital, outlining a coordinated strategy to expand disaster-information services across all districts and remote coastal areas.
The launch aligns with the United Nations’ Early Warnings for All (EW4All) initiative, introduced in 2022 with the goal of providing universal early-warning coverage globally by 2027, according to a statement shared by the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief.
Independent humanitarian organizations participating in the event said the roadmap signals a major shift in Bangladesh’s preparedness model, moving from traditional cyclone-focused alerts toward integrated warning capabilities that include floods, storm surges, heatwaves, lightning, landslides, and urban disasters.
Bangladesh’s telecommunication regulator and meteorological department will play a central role in building a technology-based alerting ecosystem capable of reaching millions within seconds.
Officials noted that nationwide mobile-network connectivity, AI-supported forecasting tools, satellite-based observation systems, and an extensive volunteer network will be key components of the new strategy.
Civil society and development partners—including the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society and the World Food Programme—stressed that inclusive access will be critical for success, particularly in communities where digital literacy, gender barriers, or geographic isolation limit access to information.
They argued that warnings must be “people-centered,” culturally adaptable, and easily understandable to protect lives during increasingly unpredictable climate shocks.
Bangladesh—home to more than 170 million people—faces some of the most intense climate risks globally. Cyclones such as Sidr (2007), Aila (2009), and Amphan (2020) killed thousands and caused billions of dollars in damage.
Analysts say improved early-warning systems in recent years have already saved countless lives, reducing cyclone-related deaths by more than 90 percent since the 1970s.
The new roadmap seeks to build on that progress by integrating government agencies, telecom operators, emergency response units, and local authorities under a unified national alerting framework.
Delegates at the launch emphasized that early-warning coverage must be seen as a fundamental right rather than a technical project, calling for sustained investment and political commitment to protect high-risk populations as climate disasters accelerate across South Asia.
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