Spatiotemporal distribution of cyclone-induced casualties in coastal Bangladesh (1970–2021): a comprehensive assessment

Abstract Bangladesh is highly vulnerable due to tropical cyclones, which frequently cause severe damages and fatalities in coastal regions of Bangladesh. This study investigates 41 major cyclonic storms from 1970 to 2021 to assess the spatial and temporal distribution of cyclone related fatalities in coastal Bangladesh. A total of 502,083 deaths and 111,885 injuries were recorded, with Chattogram, Patuakhali and Barishal districts experiencing the highest death rates. Notably, Sandwip upazila in Chattgram and Mirzaganj upazila in Patuakhali district had the highest mortality rates. Data were sourced primarily from newspapers and analyzed using ArcGIS at district and upazila levels. The findings illustrated significant spatial variations in cyclone impact, highlighting areas most at risk. The study highlights the importance of GIS based analysis in identifying vulnerable zones for targeted mitigation efforts. Public awareness, early warning systems, and disaster resilience strategies are essential for reducing cyclone related fatalities. Future research should focus on standardized data collection, catastrophe risk models, and spatiotemporal analysis to improve cyclone prediction and resilience planning.