Geological and soil engineering properties of shallow landslides occurring in the Kutupalong Rohingya Camp in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh

The Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals (FDMN), historically known as ‘Rohingya’ who fled the 2017 ethnic atrocities and genocide in the Northern Rakhine State of Myanmar, took shelter in Cox’s Bazar District of Bangladesh. The camp network, known as Kutupalong Rohingya Camp (KRC), is situated in the tectonically active tertiary hilly terrain. The KRC has been experiencing hydrometeorological hazards, where landslides are frequent. This study investigated the slopes’ geological condition, engineering properties and human interventions, which influence the landslides. The exposed slopes were relatively high (> 10 m) and steep ranging from 40° to 60° that have numerous polygonal tension cracks and fissures. From the geological and geotechnical aspects, there are three successive units of slope materials: (1) residual soils of sandy silt with clay, (2) highly weathered silty sandstones and (3) shale/clay with silt and fine sand intercalations at the bottom of the slopes. Field observations revealed that most slope failures occurred in the residual soil and weathered silty sandstone units. The residual soils have a bulk density of 1.49–1.97 g/cm3, a liquid limit of 25–48%, a plasticity index of 5–16% and an undrained shear strength of 23–46 kPa. The silty sandstones have a bulk density of 1.44–1.94 g/cm3, an internal friction angle of 34°–40° and a cohesion of 0.5–13 kPa. The mineralogical composition determined by the X-ray diffraction shows low clay mineral content, which does not affect landslides. However, the slope geometry, low shear strength with strain softening properties and torrential rainfall accompanied by anthropogenic factors cause numerous landslides every year. This study will help take proper mitigation and preparedness measures for slope protection in the KRC area and surroundings

The use of watershed geomorphic data in flash flood susceptibility zoning: a case study of the Karnaphuli and Sangu river basins of Bangladesh

The occurrence of heavy rainfall in the south-eastern hilly region of Bangladesh makes this area highly susceptible to recurrent flash flooding. As the region is the commercial capital of Bangladesh, these flash floods pose a significant threat to the national economy. Predicting this type of flooding is a complex task which requires a detailed understanding of the river basin characteristics. This study evaluated the susceptibility of the region to flash floods emanating from within the Karnaphuli and Sangu river basins. Twenty-two morphometric parameters were used. The occurrence and impact of flash floods within these basins are mainly associated with the volume of runoff, runoff velocity, and the surface infiltration capacity of the various watersheds. Analysis showed that major parts of the basin were susceptible to flash flooding events of a ‘moderate’-to-‘very high’ level of severity. The degree of susceptibility of ten of the watersheds was rated as ‘high’, and one was ‘very high’. The flash flood susceptibility map drawn from the analysis was used at the sub-district level to identify populated areas at risk. More than 80% of the total area of the 16 sub-districts were determined to have a ‘high’-to-‘very-high’-level flood susceptibility. The analysis noted that around 3.4 million people reside in flash flood-prone areas, therefore indicating the potential for loss of life and property. The study identified significant flash flood potential zones within a region of national importance, and exposure of the population to these events. Detailed analysis and display of flash flood susceptibility data at the sub-district level can enable the relevant organizations to improve watershed management practices and, as a consequence, alleviate future flood risk

Variation in The Body Composition in Pre-Menopausal & Post-Menopausal Women

Menopause is an important hallmark for women because lots of changes occur in the body secondarily due to diminished ovarian function. This comparison study was carried out in the Department of Physical medicine and rehabilitation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University to describe the variation of body composition and to observe the variation of body density, fat deposition among pre and post menopausal women. For this 50 patients of Pre menopausal and post menopausal women aged from 35 to 55 years were taken in this study. The average duration of which was 6 months. The patients were selected on the basis of inclusion and exclusion criteria. Main outcome measures were mean value of height, weight and age of menarch, body mass index, total fat mass amount, percentage of body fat(%), lean mass amount( kg), lumbar spine BMD, waist to hip ratio. Mean values of body mass index, total fat mass amount, percentage of body fat (%), lean mass amount (kg), lumbar spine BMD, waist measurement, hip measurement, waist to hip ratio were higher in pre menopausal group than post menopausal group. The study concluded that bone mineral density is greater in pre-menopausal women than post-menopausal women and remains high up to 35-40 years of age, and declines to older age. BMD positively correlates with weight of women. Premenopausal women have higher height than postmenopausal women though height does not have correlation with BMD in this study. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bmj.v41i3.18957 Bangladesh Medical Journal 2012 Vol.41(3): 38-41</jats:p

Rheumatoid Arthritis and Ankylosing Spondylitis Occurring Together- A Case Report

We report a case of middle aged man who presented with inflammatory low back pain with restriction of movement and enthesopathy. Later on the developed inflammatory pain affecting small and large joints of upper and lower limbs associated with morning stiffness with deformities. There is also positive family history. So, though the incidence is very rare the co-existence of rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis in this case would be a possibility. DOI: 10.3329/taj.v22i1.5040 TAJ 2009; 22(1): 144-146</jats:p

V-Y anoplasty for iatrogenic anal stenosis: our initial experience in BSMMU

To date, ideal surgical management of anal stenosis has not been well defined. Different surgical options have been described in literature to treat anal stricture starting from partial lateral internal sphincterotomy to different flap anoplasties. For severe anal stenosis, advancement flaps are the only option and all the techniques show good result and patient satisfaction. We treated five cases of severe anal stenosis by V-Y anoplasty in Colorectal Surgery Unit of BSMMU. Here we have shown the clinical outcome of V- Y anoplas DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bmj.v42i2.18986 Bangladesh Med J. 2013 May; 42 (2): 51-54</jats:p