The Unseen Struggles of Women in Coastal Bangladesh During Cyclone Remal

During Cyclone Remal poor road conditions made it challenging to collect water from distant sources, forcing residents  to rely on nearby saline and contaminated sources, especially those without the ability to purchase rainwater storage drums or reverse osmosis treated water. These natural phenomenon also impacts the sanitation and hygiene practices of residents. For example, one resident from Munshiganj

Cyclone Remal struck Bangladesh on the night of Sunday, May 26, 2024, with wind speeds up to 111 km/h. It caused storm surges and heavy rainfall that overwhelmed local defenses. Although Cyclone Remal was less severe than previous cyclones like Aila and Amphan, it still had severe consequences to lives and livelihoods, with women particularly affected.

In late May, 2024, a team of researchers from the Institute of Water and Flood Management (IWFM) of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) visited the area to assess the devastating situation after Cyclone Remal. As a part of a research consortium known as the Center for Climate and Health Global Research on Disasters (CORD),  BUET’S IWFM  team is investigating the effects of cyclone associated events (i.e. storm surge, coastal flooding and saline intrusion) and the impact of baseline salinity on general women and maternal health.  The CORD consortium works to protect health and build resilience in climate-related disasters. Center researchers collect and analyze data on the health effects of climate-related disasters, illuminating how vulnerable populations are affected around the world.

To stay or to go?

Many residents, drawing from past experiences, sought shelter early, while others underestimated the cyclone’s impact and stayed behind. This led to health issues including injuries and psychological stress. A woman from Purbo Chadnimukha, Gabura Union, which is situated at Satkhira district of Southwestern  Bangladesh in Khulna Division, shared her ordeal: “My husband was in the Sundarbans for work. I was unsure about going to the cyclone shelter with my daughters but when our house started collapsing at 2 AM, We ran to the shelter, a kilometer away. The heavy rain and muddy roads caused me to stumble. My neighbor took me to the nearby mosque for shelter, as the cyclone shelter was too far.”  In Munshiganj Union, a woman explained why her family did not seek shelter during the cyclone: “My husband decided not to go, so I stayed.”

Women in the southwest coastal region of Bangladesh, such as those living in Shyamnagar Upazila of Satkhira district, endure a persistent cycle of environmental, social, and economic challenges. Cultural norms often confine women to domestic duties such as collecting water, cooking, household cleaning, and caregiving for children, elderly and sick family members, and others in need. Yet the Gabura Union of this upazila, situated near the Sundarbans and surrounded by the Kholpetua and Kopotakkho Rivers, is particularly susceptible to rising sea levels, frequent cyclones, and salinity intrusion, which exacerbate existing social inequalities. A woman from Chadnimukha explained, “Usually, I fetch water from a neighbor’s pond and store rainwater. In the dry season, I buy water, which costs 20–30 taka per drum and takes half a day to collect. The stress of daily water collection, along with household damage and asset security, worsens my mental health and raises my blood pressure”. Inadequate infrastructure and frequent climate disasters further exacerbate these challenges. Environmental adversities, thus, compound the existing hardships that distressed women already face.During Cyclone Remal poor road conditions made it challenging to collect water from distant sources, forcing residents  to rely on nearby saline and contaminated sources, especially those without the ability to purchase rainwater storage drums or reverse osmosis treated water. These natural phenomenon also impacts the sanitation and hygiene practices of residents. For example, one resident from Munshiganj explained that their sanitation facilities, located over the Kholpetua River, overflowed during flooding of cyclone Remal, contaminating the water sources. During the Cyclone Remal-induced flood, they avoided using it for handwashing due to contamination risks. Contaminated water can particularly affect pregnant women, who are already dealing with pre-existing conditions like  skin disease, eclampsia, pre-eclampsia, and hypertension, and thus may face even greater  health risks and threats during extreme weather events.

Although the area has four community health clinics, poor road conditions made healthcare facilities inaccessible specially for pregnant women, leaving many to give birth without medical support in many cases. In Lebubunia village, the nearest clinic is 4.5 hours away, often resulting in maternal deaths during long travel times. Post-cyclones, this route can be even longer due to infrastructure damage. In other areas, pregnant women usually walk to cyclone shelters with help from family members and volunteers, but midwives were unavailable during Cyclone Remal. Indeed, locals and volunteers noted the absence of doctors or healthcare providers in cyclone shelters, although this requires further verification.

The women of Munshiganj, Burigoalini, and Gabura Unions face significant challenges exacerbated by environmental threats and social inequalities. The impact of cyclones like Remal underscores their vulnerability and highlights the urgent need for improved infrastructure, healthcare access, and social support systems. For pregnant women, accessibility and managing health issues are particularly difficult. Comprehensive initiatives and equitable resource distribution are essential to enhance their resilience and ensure a better future for these communities.