November 1, 2016
Geography professor publishes third book on geographical disaster and infrastructure preparedness
Bimal Paul, professor of geography, has published a new book, "Climatic Hazards in Coastal Bangladesh: Non-Structural and Structural Solutions."
Co-authored with Harun Rashid, a professor emeritus of geography and earth science at the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse, the book presents engineers, scientists, planners, policymakers and emergency managers around the world with the necessary tools and planning solutions used to combat vulnerabilities in Bangladesh.
"The location and physical geography of Bangladesh provides the perfect microcosm for the study of coastal hazards and prevention around the world," Paul said.
The book begins with a critical overview of cyclone and storm surge disasters, focusing on both engineering responses and public preparedness programs for such events. Engineering and nonengineering recommendations are provided for further reduction of their impacts such as increased salinity in coastal zones, coastal erosion, accretion and land subsidence. Numerical models are introduced to assess flood-induced hazard and risk, flood-induced design loads and how to intervene in protecting key installations, infrastructures and communities.
Paul has spent the last decade conducting climate change research in Bangladesh.
Paul also is the author of 2013's "Climate Change in Bangladesh: Confronting Impending Disasters" and 2011's "Environmental Hazards and Disasters: Contexts, Perspectives and Management." In addition, Paul has published 91 papers in nearly 40 refereed journals, 25 book chapters, 17 book reviews and 32 other papers.
Chuck Martin, professor of geography and head of the department, said Paul's prolific publication rate is a remarkable achievement by an internationally recognized scholar.