Background: Cyclone Remal struck the coastal regions of Bangladesh in May 2024, causing widespread social, environmental, and economic disruptions. Patuakhali District, one of the most cyclone-prone regions in the country, experienced significant impacts, necessitating an in-depth assessment of community perceptions and vulnerabilities.
Materials and Methods: A quantitative research design was employed, using stratified random sampling to collect data from 468 households across four upazilas in Patuakhali District. An ordered logistic regression model was applied to examine factors influencing perceived disaster impact.
Results: The analysis revealed that households experiencing greater physical damage and cyclone-induced health problems were more likely to report higher perceived impacts (odds ratio [OR] = 1.000 and 3.736, respectively, P<0.01). Receipt of post-cyclone aid also contributed to higher perceived impact (odds ratios [OR] = 2.049, P<0.05), suggesting that assistance alone may not fully mitigate perceived vulnerability. The study also documented economic vulnerabilities, with average household income at 40,204 BDT and cyclone-related losses averaging 19,084 BDT.
Conclusion: Enhancing cyclone shelter infrastructure, improving healthcare services, and reforming disaster relief strategies are critical for strengthening community resilience in coastal Bangladesh. The insights from this study can inform more effective disaster risk reduction and recovery policies.