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Cyclone and Bangladesh: A Historical and Environmental Overview from 1582 to

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Article  in  International Medical Journal (1994) · September 2020

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 ISSN: 13412051
Volume 25, Issue 06, June, 2020

Cyclone and Bangladesh: A Historical and

Environmental Overview from 1582 to 2020
Irin Hossain1, Ashekur Rahman Mullick2

National Institute of Preventive and Social Medicine (NIPSOM), Dhaka, Bangladesh1,2

ABSTRACT— Typhoons are tropical revolving storms. They are called `Cyclones' in English, when they
occur in the Indian Ocean area. The coastal regions of Bangladesh are subject to damaging cyclones almost
every year. They generally occur in early summer (April-May) or late rainy season (October-November).
Cyclones originate from low atmospheric pressures over the Bay of Bengal. Due to unique geographic
location, Bangladesh suffers a lot from devastating tropical cyclones frequently. The funnel-shaped northern
portion of the Bay of Bengal amplifies the storm surge of landfilling tropical cyclones, affecting thousands
of people. Some of the most devastating natural disasters in recorded history with high casualties were
tropical cyclones that hit the region now comprising present-day Bangladesh. Among them, the 1970 Bhola
cyclone alone claimed approximately 300,000 to 500,000 lives, making it the deadliest tropical cyclone on
record. Tropical cyclones affecting Bangladesh have killed about 1.54 million people in Bengal (including
India ruled Bengal). This study tried to explain the historical and environmental overview of each and every
cyclone took place in the greater Bengal territory from 1582 to till date.

KEYWORDS: Cyclone, Typhoons, Hurricane, Bangladesh, South-East Asia, Historical and Environmental
Overview.

1. INTRODUCTION
Tropical cyclones affecting south Asia originate over surrounding oceans, especially in the Bay of Bengal.
They require at least five conditions to form and develop: low pressure at the surface; abundant moist air
capable of convective or upward movement in the atmosphere; ocean surface temperatures over 26–27
degrees Celsius; small wind shear; the rate at which wind strength and direction change with height in the
atmosphere (especially for the taller more intense systems); and the power of the Earth's rotation to spin the
system into a rotating vortex. Tropical cyclones in South Asia derive their main energy from intense
evaporation over warm water; not, as in mid-latitude cyclones, from contrasting temperatures between cold
and warmer air masses1. Due to unique geographic location, Bangladesh suffers a lot from devastating
tropical cyclones frequently. The funnel-shaped northern portion of the Bay of Bengal amplifies the storm
surge of landfilling tropical cyclones, affecting thousands of people. Some of the most devastating natural
disasters in recorded history with high casualties were tropical cyclones that hit the region now comprising
present-day Bangladesh. Among them, the 1970 Bhola cyclone alone claimed approximately 300,000 to
500,000 lives, making it the deadliest tropical cyclone on record. Tropical cyclones affecting Bangladesh
have killed about 1.54 million people in Bengal (including India ruled Bengal)2. A detailed program for
storm prevention was outlined by the government following the cyclone of 1991. A Comprehensive Cyclone
Preparedness Programme (CPP) is jointly planned, operated, and managed by the Ministry of Disaster
Management and Relief and the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society; a volunteer force of more than 32,000
are trained to help in warning and evacuation in the coastal areas. Around 2,500 cyclone shelters have been
constructed in the coastal regions. The shelters are built on elevated platforms and serve the dual role of
schools or community centers during normal weather. In Patenga, Chittagong, the coast has been heavily

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I. Hossain and A. R. Mullick, 2020 International Medical Journal

protected with concrete levees. Also, afforestation has been initiated in the coastal regions to create a green
belt3.

2. An Overview of Cyclone
Typhoons are tropical revolving storms. They are called `Cyclones' in English, when they occur in the
Indian Ocean area. The coastal regions of Bangladesh are subject to damaging cyclones almost every year.
They generally occur in early summer (April-May) or late rainy season (October-November). Cyclones
originate from low atmospheric pressures over the Bay of Bengal. Cyclones in the South Asian Sub-
Continent are presently classified according to their intensity and the following nomenclature is in use 4
(Table 01).

Table 01: Classification of Cyclones in South Asian Sub-Continent

Table 01: Classification of Cyclones In South Asian Sub-Continent
Depression Winds up to 62 km/h
Cyclonic Storm Winds from 63-87 km/h
Severe Cyclonic Storm Winds from 88-118 km/h
Severe Cyclonic Storm of Cyclone Intensity Winds above 118 km/h

Most of the coastal areas of the world are at risk from natural hazards created by geological or
meteorological disturbances. The hazards are classified as:
1) Short term (minutes, hours, or days) events associated with storms or earthquakes (tsunamis), and
2) Long-term events (decades, millennia) related to changes in rise of sea level caused by secular eustatic
(atmospheric, cryospheric, geoidal) or isostatic (tectonic) processes.

Tropical cyclones or Cyclones are common within latitude 30o north and south. These intense storms move
across shallow shelf seas; the water is being piled-up along the coast as a surge. In most cases the mixture of
these effects creates most dreadful effects in the coastal regions, a gradual rise in the regional sea level
produces enhanced landward penetration of surges and storm waves5. These storms are called Cyclones
when they form in the Atlantic Ocean, and tropical cyclones in the Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal. Other
regional names for these storms are typhoons, severe tropical cyclones, and severe cyclonic storms. In this
article the terms tropical cyclone and typhoon and Cyclone are used interchangeably. Tropical cyclones can
inflict terrible damage due to thunderstorms and tornadoes, violent winds, torrential rain with accompanying
flooding and landslides, incredible waves, and extremely high tides associated with tidal surges. Extremely
strong winds can reach out as little as 25 miles from the center of a small tropical cyclone and as far as 150
miles from the center of a large tropical cyclone. Less-strong but still damaging winds can extend as far as
300 miles from the center of a large tropical cyclone. These are very dangerous storms6.

3. Formation of Cyclone
Tropical cyclones affecting south Asia originate over surrounding oceans, especially in the Bay of Bengal.
They require at least five conditions to form and develop: low pressure at the surface; abundant moist air
capable of convective or upward movement in the atmosphere; ocean surface temperatures over 26–27
degrees Celsius; small wind shear; the rate at which wind strength and direction change with height in the
atmosphere, (especially for the taller more intense systems); and the power of the Earth's rotation to spin the
system into a rotating vortex. Tropical cyclones in South Asia derive their main energy from intense
evaporation over warm water, not, as in mid-latitude cyclones, from contrasting temperatures between cold
and warmer air masses. Water vapour, evaporated from the sea, is drawn into the developing cyclone. As the
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rising air within the cyclone cools, the evaporated moisture becomes cloud, forming billions of tiny water
droplets. Converting the water vapour to water droplets releases a great amount of (latent) heat, providing
energy that helps invigorate and maintain the cyclone's development1.

4. Strength and Speed of Cyclone

There are certain differences in the ways tropical cyclones and Cyclones are measured in the United States
and other countries, in particular how the storms’ strength and speed are measured. In the United States,
these storms’ sustained wind speeds are measured in statute miles per hour, while in Bangladesh the
typhoon’s speed is measured in kilometres per hour and the sustained winds within the storm are measured
in meters per second. The conversion is: 1 knot (kt) = 1.15 mile per hour (mph) = 1.85 kilometres per hour
(km/h) = 0.514 meters per second (m/s). Second, the time period over which maximum sustained wind
speed is measured is different: in the United States the wind speed is measured over a one-minute period at
a height of 10 meters above the earth’s surface, in most other countries it is measured over a three-minute
period and in a few countries over a ten-minute period. In practice, this means that an identical storm would
show lower wind speeds in other countries and higher wind speeds in the United States. Put differently, to
an American this means that a tropical cyclone in other countries with winds of a given speed will be more
destructive than would be expected for a storm of that size. Note that gusts of wind are not factored into the
sustained wind speed, and these gusts’ speeds can be 20% or even higher than the speed of the sustained
winds. Third, in other countries, the air pressure of the eye of the storm is measured in hectoPascals (one
hectoPascal [hPa] = 1 millibar [mb]) while in the United States it is measured in inches of mercury (1 inch
of mercury = 25.4 mm of mercury = 33.86 millibars = 33.86 hectoPascals). In general, the lower the air
pressure in the eye of the storm, the more powerful the storm6.

5. Major Cyclones in Bangladesh

Cyclones are very destructive to property and in terms of lives lost. Bangladesh has experienced both. The
following recent tropical cyclones are notable for their loss of human life in Bangladesh6 (Table 02). The
number of deaths in each storm vary by reporter, and the numbers listed are approximate and may not be
accurate. What we should remember is that these storms are dangerous.

Table 02: Major Cyclones in Bangladesh

Location Date Number of Deaths
Feni-Chittagong coast October 26, 1962 50,000
Barisal-Chittagong coast May 10, 1965 20,000
Khulna-Chittagong coast November 12, 1970 300,000
Patuakhali-Cox’s Bazar coast April 29, 1991 150,000

At least 12 major tropical cyclones hit the country since 1965, leaving 479,490 people dead. According to
the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, Bangladesh was one of the worst sufferers of cyclones in
terms of casualties. Among the total 88 cyclones took place in the grater Bengal territory most of them were
in Cox’s Bazar, Patuakhali, Noakhali, Chattogram, Teknaf, Sonadia coast and Kutubdia Island (42 cyclones)
followed by Sunderban (18 cyclones) (Figure 1).

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I. Hossain and A. R. Mullick, 2020 International Medical Journal

Cyclone-Prone Areas in Bangladesh

(1582-2020)
Bakerganj coast (presently in
45 Barisal and Patuakhali).
42
40 Eastern Meghna estuary

35
Sunderban

30
Barisal
25

20 18 Head Bay (Bengal coast)

15
Cox’s Bazar, Patuakhali, Noakhali,
8 Chattogram, Teknaf, Sonadia
10 9 coast and Kutubdia Island
North Bengal
5 2 3 5

0 1 Muktagachha upazila
(Mymensingh District)

Figure 1: Cyclone-Prone Areas in Bangladesh (1582-2020)

Here are some of the severe tropical cyclones that hit Bangladesh since 1965 21.
1. Bhola Cyclone (November 11, 1970)
2. The April 1991 Cyclone
3. Barisal Cyclone (May 11, 1965)
4. The December 1965 Cyclone
5. The October 1966 Cyclone
6. Urir Char Cyclone (May 25, 1985)
7. Cyclone 04B (November 30, 1988)
8. May 1997 Cyclone
9. Cyclone Sidr (November 15, 2007)
10. Cyclone Aila (May 25, 2009)
11. Cyclone Mahasen (May 16, 2013)
12. Cyclone Roanu (May 21, 2016)

6. Tropical Cyclones in Bangladesh

Tropical cyclones generally strike Bangladesh in two seasons, March through July and September through
December, with the greatest majority of storms arriving in May and October. Bangladesh Space Research
and Remote Sensing Organisation (SPARRSO), a government agency under the Ministry of Defence
provides storm predictions and early warnings using feeds from NASA and NOAA's satellites. The
warnings are usually given in a scale of 10, with 10 being used for the deadliest storms2,6.

Alert Stage: Signal No. I, II, and III

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Warning Stage: Signal No. IV

Disaster Stage: Signal No. V, VI, VII and VIII, IX, and X

Table 03: Historical and Environmental Overview of Cyclone in Bangladesh from 1582 to 2020
Seria Date/ Affected Type of Deaths Other Information References/
l No Month/ Area Distribution Source of
Year Information
1. 1582 Bakerganj Severe 200,000 - A five-hour Bengal District
coast Cyclonic people Cyclone and Gazetteer, 24
(presently Storm with a thunderstorm Parganas7
in Barisal core of destroyed houses
and Cyclone and boats in the
Patuakhal winds coast near
i). Bakerganj
(presently in
Barisal and
Patuakhali)
- Only Hindu
temples with a
strong foundation
were spared
2. 1585 Eastern Unknown Unknow A tropical storm hit Webster P.J.,
Meghna n the eastern side of Holland, G.J.,
estuary Bakerganj (now Curry, J.A. et
Barisal) near the al8
mouth of the
Meghna River
estuary, causing
devastation of
crops.
3. 1699 Sunderba Severe 50,000 Unknown Daily Ittefaq, 5
n Cyclonic people May 19919
Storm
4. 1760 Sunderba Severe Unknow Unknown Daily Ittefaq, 5
n Cyclonic n May 19919
Storm
5. 1765 Chattogra Severe Unknow Unknown Daily Ittefaq, 5
m Cyclonic n May 19919
Storm
6. 1767 Bakerganj Severe 30,000 Surge height: 13.03 Daily Ittefaq, 5
coast Cyclonic people m (43 ft) May 19919
(presently Storm
in
Barisal)
7. 1797 (May- Chattogra Severe Unknow Every house in the Bangladesh

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I. Hossain and A. R. Mullick, 2020 International Medical Journal

June) m Cyclonic n area was destroyed. Meteorologica

Storm with a Two ships were l Department10
core of sunk in Chittagong
Cyclone Port.
winds
8. 1822 (May- Barisal Severe 50,000 Cattle killed = Journal of
June) Cyclonic people 100,000. Asiatic SOC.
Storm with a of Bengal11
core of Storm wave swept
Cyclone away the Sailors Horn
winds collectorate Book for the
records. law of storms12
9. 1823 (2 June) Chattogra Cyclonic Unknow Unknown F. Henderson13
m Storm n
10. 1824 (8 June) Chattogra Heavy Storm Unknow Unknown F. Henderson13
m (Severe n
Cyclonic
Storm
11. 1831 (31 Barisal Severe 22,000 Surge height: 2.12– Bangladesh
October) Cyclonic people 4.55 m (7–15 ft) Meteorologica
Storm l Department10
Cattle killed >
50,000 Bengal District
Gazetteer,
Balasore14
12. 1839 (3-5 Head Bay Cyclonic Unknow Unknown F. Henderson13
June) (Bengal Storm n
coast)
13. 1839 (19-21 Sunderba Cyclonic Unknow Unknown F. Henderson13
September) n Storm n
14. 1844 (11 Noakhali Cyclonic Unknow Unknown F. Henderson13
May) and Storm n
Chattogra
m coast
15. 1847 Various Cyclonic 75,000 Unknown Dipankar C.
locations Storm people Patnaik & N.
in Bengal Sivagnanam15
coast
16. 1849 (12-13 Chattogra Cyclonic Unknow Unknown F. Henderson13
May) m Storm n
17. 1850 (23-28 North Cyclonic Unknow Unknown F. Henderson13
April) Bengal Storm n
18. 1852 (12-15 Sunderba Cyclonic Unknow Formation: Formed F. Henderson13
May) n Storm n near 15°N.
Coast: It moved

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northward and
crossed the
Sundarbans coast;
the center passed
39 miles (63 km)
east of Kolkata
19. 1869 (13-17 Various Cyclonic Unknow The storm moved F. Henderson13
May) locations Storm n northwestward
in Bengal from Cape Negrais
coast to Bengal and
crossed the Bengal
coast
20. 1869 (5-10 North Cyclonic Unknow From the North F. Henderson13
June) Bengal Storm n Bay the cyclone
passed over Bengal.
21. 1872 Cox’s Cyclonic Unknow Unknown F. Henderson13
(October) Bazar Storm n
22. 1876 (27 Patuakhal Severe 200,000 Maximum wind: F. Henderson13
October-1 i, Cyclonic people 220 km/h (119
November) Noakhali Storm with a knots) D.V.
and core of Nalivkin16
“(The Great Chattogra Cyclone Surge height: 3–
Backerganj m coast winds 13.6 m (10–45 ft) Journal of
Cyclone of Asiatic SOC.
1876)” The storm also of Bengal11
caused epidemic
and famine, and
vast property
damage.
23. 1895 Sunderba Cyclonic Unknow Unknown Khan S. R.117
(October) n Storm n
24. 1897 (24 Chattogra Cyclonic 14,000 The resulting The Mercury
October) m and Storm people epidemic of (Hobart, Tas. :
Kutubdia Cholera killed 1860 - 1954)18
island another 18,000
25. 1898 (May) Teknaf Tropical Unknow Unknown Khan S. R.17
cyclone with n
storm surge
26. 1901 Western Cyclonic Unknow Unknown Khan S. R.117
(November) Sunderba Storm n
n
27. 1904 Sonadia Cyclonic 143 Unknown Khan S. R.17
(November) coast Storm people
28. 1909 (16 Chattogra Cyclonic 698 Casualty:70,654 T.S.Murty et
October) m Storm people cattle al., 198619

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I. Hossain and A. R. Mullick, 2020 International Medical Journal

29. 1909 Cox's Cyclonic Unknow Unknown Khan S. R.17

(December) Bazar Storm n
30. 1911 (April) Teknaf Cyclonic 120,000 Unknown Khan S. R.17
Storm people
31. 1913 Muktagac Cyclonic 500 A tropical cyclone, Khan S. R.17
(October) hha Storm people having moved
upazila inland destroyed
(Mymensi villages.
ngh
District)
32. 1917 (24 Sunderba Cyclonic 432 Casualty: 28,029 Khan S. R.17
September) n Storm people cattle
33. 1919 Barisal Cyclonic 40,000 Unknown Khan S. R.17
(September) Storm people
34. 1922 (April) Teknaf Cyclonic Unknow Unknown Khan S. R.17
Storm n
35. 1923 (May) Teknaf Cyclonic Unknow Unknown T.S.Murty et
Storm n al., 198619
36. 1926 (May) Cox’s Cyclonic 606 Unknown T.S.Murty et
Bazar Storm people al., 198619
37. 1941 (26 Eastern Cyclonic 7,000 Unknown T.S.Murty et
May) Meghna Storm people al., 198619
estuary
38. 1942 Sunderba Cyclonic Unknow Unknown Khan S. R.17
(October) n Storm n
39. 1948 (17-19 Between Cyclonic 1200 Casualty: 20,000 Khan S. R.17
May) Noakhali Storm people cattle.
&
Chattogra
m
40. 1950 (15-20 Patuakhal Cyclonic Unknow Unknown Khan S. R.17
November) i Storm n
41. 1958 (16-19 Eastern Cyclonic 870 Casualty: 14,500 Khan S. R.17
May) Meghna Storm people cattle
estuary
42. 1958 (21-24 Noakhali Cyclonic 12,000 Approx. 100,000 Khan S. R.17
October) and West Storm people families were
Meghna rendered homeless.
estuary
43. 1960 (25-29 Sunderba Cyclonic 106 Unknown Khan S. R.17
May) n Coast Storm people
(landfall
at
Sunderba
n)

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44. 1960 (9-10 Meghna Severe 3,000 Maximum Khan S. R.17

October) estuary Cyclonic people. Wind:201 km/hour
(landfall Storm Maximum Surge:
at 3.05 metres
Noakhali) Casualty: Other
effects: 62,725
houses destroyed.
Crops on 94,000
acres (380 km2) of
land were
destroyed
45. 1960 (30-31 Chattogra Severe 10,000 Maximum Khan S. R.17
October) m coast Cyclonic people Wind:210 km/h
(landfall Storm Surge: 4.5–6.1 m
at Casualty:
Chattogra 27,793 cattle.
m) Losses: 568,161
houses destroyed
(including 70%
houses in Hatiya).
Also, two large
ocean-going ships
ran aground in the
shore, and 5–7
vessels capsized in
Karnaphuli River.
46. 1961 (6-9 Meghna Severe 11,468 Maximum T.S.Murty et
May) estuary Cyclonic people Wind:161 km/h al., 198619
(landfall Storm Surge height:2.44-
near 3.05 m
Feni
river) Casualty: 25,000
cattle. Damages:
The railway tracks
between Noakhali
and Harinarayanpur
were damaged.
47. 1961 (27-30 Chattogra Cyclonic 10,466 w=95 to 145 T.S.Murty et
May) m- storm people km/h and total al., 198619
Noakhali water level
coast was 7m at
Chittagong
48. 1962 (26-30 Feni- Severe 50,000 Maximum T.S.Murty et
October) Chattogra Cyclonic people Wind:161 km/h al., 198619
m Storm Surge height:2.5-

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I. Hossain and A. R. Mullick, 2020 International Medical Journal

coast 3.0 m
49. 1963 (28-29 Noakhali- Severe 11,520 Maximum Khan S. R.17
May) Cox's Cyclonic people Wind:203 km/h
Bazar Storm (164 km/h at Cox's
Coast Bazar)
(landfall Surge height:4.3-
near 5.2 m
Chattogra Casualty: 32,617
m) cattle. Damages:
376,332 houses,
4,787 boats, and
standing crops.
50. 1963 (5-8 Sunderba Cyclonic Unknow s=3.1m and Khalil,
June) n storm n t=0.0m. M.G.,199220
51. 1963 (25-29 Teknaf Cyclonic Unknow w=105 Khalil,
October) storm n km/h, s=2.2m and M.G.,199220
t=0.0m
52. 1965 (11-12 Barisal- Cyclonic 19,279 Wind speed was Dhaka
May) Chattogra Storm people about 160 km per Tribune21
m coast hour associated
“Barishal (landfall with storm surge of Khan S. R.17
Cyclone” between 3.7-7.6 metre.
Barisal
and
Noakhali)
53. 1965 (31 Chattogra Severe 12,000 Tide plus surge was Murty, T.S.
May-1 June) m Coast Cyclonic people 7.1m at and El-Sabh,
(landfall Storm Companyganj. At M.I., 199222
near Chittagong 1.6m
Chattogra surge on
m) tide.
54. 1965 (14-15 Cox's Cyclonic 873 Wind speed was Dhaka
December) Bazar- Storm people about 217 km per Tribune21
Teknaf hour and 2.3-3.6
coast metre storm surges.
(landfall
near
Cox's
Bazar)
55. 1966 (1 Chattogra Cyclonic 850 Wind speed was Dhaka
October) m and Storm people about 139 km per Tribune21
Sandwip hour associated
(landfall with storm surges
near of 6-7 metre.
Chattogra Total people
m) affected: 1.5
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million people.
56. 1966 (12 Cox's Cyclonic Unknow Unknown Khalil, M.G.,
December) Bazar Storm n 199220
57. 1967 (11 Sunderba Cyclonic Unknow w=160 Khalil, M.G.,
October) n- Storm n km/h, s=3.0m and 199220
Noakhali t=0.0m.
coast
(landfall
at
Noakhali)
58. 1967 (23-24 Chattogra Cyclonic 128 w=130 Murty, T.S.
October) m-Cox's Storm people km/h, s=2m and and El-Sabh,
Bazar t=0.0m. M.I., 199222
coast
(landfall
in
between)
59. 1969 (11 Khulna Cyclonic 175 Unknown Murty, T.S.
October) coast Storm people and El-Sabh,
M.I., 199222
60. 1970 (5-7 Chattogra Cyclonic 18 w=148 Murty, T.S.
May) m-Teknaf Storm people km/h, s=2.3m and and El-Sabh,
coast t=0.2m. M.I., 199222
(landfall
at Cox's
Bazar)
61. 1970 (7-13 Khulna- Severe 300,000 Damages include US Embassy
November) Chattogra Cyclonic people destruction of of
m coast Storm approximately Bangladesh6,
“Bhola (landfall 20,000 fishing
Cyclone” at Hatia) boats, and also Dhaka
property and crops. Tribune21
Total loss of cattle
reached more than
one million. More
than 400,000
houses and 3,500
educational
institutions were
destroyed.
Maximum
Wind:222 km/h

Maximum
Surge:10.6 m.

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I. Hossain and A. R. Mullick, 2020 International Medical Journal

62. 1971 (7-8 Meghna Cyclonic Unknow w=80 km/h. US Embassy

May) estuary Storm n of Bangladesh6
63. 1971 (5-6 Chattogra Cyclonic Unknow Unknown Khalil, M.G.,
November) m coast Storm n 199220
(landfall
near
Chattogra
m)
64. 1971 (28-30 Sunderba Cyclonic 11,000 Wind Speed:97– Khalil, M.G.,
November) n coast Storm people 113 km/h 199220
Surge height:1 m
Effect: Low-lying
areas of Khulna
town inundated
65. 1973 (16-18 Chattogra Cyclonic Unknow Unknown Khalil, M.G.,
November) m coast Storm n 199220
66. 1973 (6-9 Sunderba Cyclonic Unknow Coastal areas near Khalil, M.G.,
December) n- Storm n Patuakhali and 199220
Patuakhal nearby islands were
i coast submerged under
(landfall the tidal bore.
at
Sunderba
n)
67. 1974 (13-15 Khulna Cyclonic 600 Maximum Murty, T.S.
August) coast Storm people Wind:80.5 km/h and El-Sabh,
M.I., 199222
68. 1974 (24-28 Cox's Cyclonic 200 Maximum Murty, T.S.
November) Bazar- Storm people Wind:161 km/h and El-Sabh,
Chattogra Surge height:2.8- M.I., 199222
m- 5.2 m
offshore Casualty: 1000
Islands cattle. Damages:
(landfall 2,300 houses
at destroyed.
Chattogra
m)
69. 1975 (9-12 Sunderba Severe 5 people w=110 km/h. Murty, T.S.
May) n-Bhola- cyclonic and El-Sabh,
Chattogra storm M.I., 199222
m
coast
70. 1976 (19-20 Meghna Cyclonic Unknow w=105 Murty, T.S.
October) estuary Storm n km/h, tide plus and El-Sabh,
surge at M.I., 199222

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Companygonj was
3.5m.
71. 1977 (9-12 Sunderba Cyclonic Unknow w=113 km/h, Murty, T.S.
May) n- Storm n s=0.6m and and El-Sabh,
Chattogra t=0.7m. M.I., 199222
m coast
(landfall
at
Sunderba
n)
72. 1978 (30 Sunderba Cyclonic Unknow w=74 km/h. Murty, T.S.
September-3 n khulna Storm n and El-Sabh,
October) coast M.I., 199222
73. 1983 Chattogra Cyclonic 43 w=122 km/h. Murty, T.S.
(15October) m-Feni Storm people 1000 and El-Sabh,
coast fishermen missing M.I., 199222
(landfall and 20% aman
near crops destroyed
Chattogra
m)
74. Chattogra Severe Unknow w=136 km/h, Murty, T.S.
1983 (9 m-Teknaf Cyclonic n s=2.5m. and El-Sabh,
November) coast Storm 300 fishermen with M.I., 199222
(landfall 50 boats
between missing; 2000
Chattogra houses,22
m institutions
and Cox's destroyed
Bazar)
75. 1985 (24-25 Noakhali- Severe 11,069 - Hit the country The
May) Cox's cyclone people with a wind speed Independent,
Bazar of 154 km per hour Bangladesh23
“Urir Char coast and 3.0-4.6 metre
Cyclone” (landfall storm surges. Dhaka
at - 94,379 houses Tribune21
Sandwip) were damaged
76. 1986 (9 Barguna- Cyclonic 14 w=110 km/h. Murty, T.S.
November) Chattogra Storm people and El-Sabh,
m coast M.I., 199222
77. 1988 (29-30 Sunderba Severe 5,708 - Wind speed was The
November) n cyclonic people 162 km per hour Independent,
storm accompanied by a Bangladesh23
“Cyclone storm surge of 4.5
04B” metre. Dhaka
Tribune21

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I. Hossain and A. R. Mullick, 2020 International Medical Journal

78. 1990 (7-8 Barguna- Cyclonic Unknow 150 fishermen with Murty, T.S.
October) Noakhali Storm n 16 mechanised and El-Sabh,
coast boats missing M.I., 199222
79. 1991 (29 Patuakhal Catastrophic 138,000 It caused a damage The
April) i-Cox's cyclone people of around $1.5 Independent,
Bazar billion. Bangladesh23,
coast
(landfall US Embassy
north of of
Chattogra Bangladesh6,
m)
Dhaka
Tribune21
80. 1997 (19 Coastal Cyclonic 155 Wind speed was The
May) belt of Storm people 230 km per hour Independent,
Banglades Bangladesh23
h Dhaka
Tribune21
81. 2007 (15 Coastal Cyclonic 3,363 - Hit the country’s The
November) belt of Storm people coastal belt with a Independent,
Banglades wind speed of 223 Bangladesh23
“Cyclone h km per hour
Sidr” Dhaka
Tribune21
82. 2008 (8 May) Coastal Cyclonic 3500 Unknown US Embassy
belt of Storm people of Bangladesh6
“Cyclone Banglades
Nargis” h
83. 2009 (25 Offshore Cyclonic 150 - 200,000 houses The
May) 15 Storm people were damaged in Independent,
districts the storm Bangladesh23
“Cyclone of - Combined with
Aila” southwest high tides, the Dhaka
ern part of cyclone surge Tribune21
Banglades caused widespread
h flooding and
damaged in the
southern districts.
- Wind speed was
120 km per hour.
84. 2013 (16 Chattogra Cyclonic 17 Wind speed was 85 The
May) m Storm people km per hour. Independent,
Bangladesh23
“Cyclone
Mahasen” Dhaka
Tribune21
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Volume 25, Issue 06, June, 2020

85. 2016 (21 Chattogra Cyclonic 26 Around 40,000 The

May) m Storm people houses were Independent,
damaged in the Bangladesh23
“Cyclone storm.
Roanu” Dhaka
Tribune21
86. 2017 (28 Cox’s Cyclonic 7 people High winds, heavy The
May) Bazar Storm rain and tidal Independent,
surges triggered Bangladesh23
“Cyclone severe floods and
Mora” landslides
87. 2019 (4 May) Cyclone with 12 Cyclone Fani, the The
- Coastal the strongest people strongest storm to Independent,
“Cyclone belt of storm hit the Indian Bangladesh23
Fani” Banglades subcontinent in the
h last five years
(northeast barrelled into
ward) Bangladesh after
- Eastern leaving a trail of
coast of destruction across
India the eastern coast of
India.
88. 2020 (21 Patuakhal Cyclone with 18 - Wind speed was Bdnews24.co
May) i, the strongest people 85 km per hour. m24
“Cyclone Satkhira, storm - In Barguna,
Amphan” Pirojpur, fisheries worth Tk Dhaka
Bhola and 1 million and crops Tribune21
Barguna across 200 acres of
land were
inundated by the
storm surge, which
rose up to 11 feet.
- About 1.5 crore
people in 25
districts of the
country have been
without electricity
since the day before
the cyclone hit. It
will take 24 hours
for the situation to
return to normal.

7. Timing and Monsoon Regulation

The tropical cyclones that influence South Asia are part of the regional monsoon wind system. The South
Asian monsoon has moist south-westerly winds blowing from the southern oceans over the South Asian
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I. Hossain and A. R. Mullick, 2020 International Medical Journal

continental land mass in summer, and dry north-easterly winds blowing in the opposite direction in winter.
The differential heating of land and sea drives this movement. In the summer, the land heats up more
quickly than the oceans, producing low pressure over land and high pressure at sea. Winds blow from high
to low pressure, bringing strong, moist winds from the oceans towards South Asia. During the winter
months, the differential heating and pressure systems are reversed, and strong dry north-easterly winds end
up blowing from South Asia towards the southern oceans. Most rainfall over the region comes in the
summer months (June to September) from relatively weak but frequent tropical lows and depressions.
Driven by monsoon winds, these systems eventually move over land along the west coast of India, but more
frequently affect the eastern coast of India and Bangladesh. The more intense tropical storms and Cyclones,
which also tend to form mainly in the Bay of Bengal, often occur as the wet summer changes to a dry winter
monsoon (October to November) when wind shear is low. Powerful cyclones, which tower up into the
atmosphere, do not easily form during the main monsoon season (June to September) because high wind
shear easily destabilises them, knocking them over1.

8. Cyclone Damage
The areas of South Asia most vulnerable to Cyclones are the low-lying coastal regions around the Bay of
Bengal (Bangladesh, Eastern India and Myanmar). These are the first areas storms hit when they reach land
and are also some of the most agriculturally fertile and densely populated areas in South Asia, including
coastal river deltas like the Godavari, Ganges and Irrawaddy. Cyclones' high wind speeds, intense rainfalls
and storm surges (unusually high sea levels) destroy life and property, and can leave areas devastated.
Winds, often travelling at more than 117 kilometres per hour, remove or seriously damage flimsy housing.
High intensity rainfall over a relatively short period (up to and above 50 centimetres over three to seven
days) can cause serious flooding and major crop loss. As with the less intense cyclones, such flooding can
increase loss of life and property if it causes reservoir collapses and landslides. But the most destructive part
of a cyclone is the storm surge at the front of the storm pushed up to high levels as it moves inland. Storm
surges from powerful Cyclones can reach two to five metres in height along the eastern coast of Andhra
Pradesh in India. At the head of the Bay of Bengal, where the coastline becomes restricted, storm surges can
reach a staggering 12 or 13 metres and kill many people1.

9. Vulnerable populations
The people most vulnerable to Cyclones around the world include those with limited economic resources,
low levels of technology, poor information and skills, minimal infrastructure and unstable or weak political
institutions. Such groups are not fully able to prepare for, or protect themselves from, Cyclones, nor to
respond and cope with their effects.
• Low cast communities
• Ethnic minorities
• Women, especially those who may be widowed or deserted
• Old men and women
• Children, particularly girls
• The disabled
• People dependent on low incomes
• People in debt
• People isolated from transport, communication and health services infrastructure1.

10. Cyclone Disaster Prevention and Mitigation

Bangladesh has been subjected to frequent natural disasters in many forms, particularly cyclonic storms and
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Volume 25, Issue 06, June, 2020

storm surges. From 1582 to 2020, 88 major cyclone storms and storm surges have been reported (Table 03,
Figure: 01). These indicate that Bangladesh is prone to frequent destructive tropical cyclones associated
with storm surge, particularly in pre-monsoon months of April-May and post-monsoon months of October
November. The low-lying coastal areas are particularly vulnerable, thus placing these population,
infrastructure, agriculture, livestock and economic development in a high-risk situation. Cyclone disaster
mitigation is a major concern in Bangladesh25.

11. Before a Tropical Cyclone

• Review family preparedness plan.
• Establish a family communications plan.
• Assemble a cyclone survival kit or review of cyclone supply list.
• Have a family evacuation plan in place.
• Secure property:
Cover windows. If storm shutters are unavailable, use 5/8-inch exterior-grade or marine plywood
cut to fit each window. Use screws to attach them.
Trim trees and shrubs around home so that they are more wind-resistant.
Clear loose and clogged rain gutters and downspouts.
Reinforce garage doors so wind doesn’t enter and cause structural damage.
Bring in outdoor objects (furniture, toys, tools, etc.), anchor objects that cannot be brought inside,
and remove outside antennas.
• Know the difference between a cyclone watch and a cyclone warning:
• Cyclone watch: Cyclone conditions are possible. Stay tuned to a National weather news on radio or
TV for information. Be prepared to evacuate if necessary.
• Cyclone warning: Cyclone conditions are expected or occurring. Take shelter or evacuate
immediately.

12. During a Tropical Cyclone

• Listen to weather news on radio or TV for updated information.
• Be prepared to evacuate, and do so immediately if necessary.
• Keep valuables and important documents in a waterproof container.
• Turn off utilities if instructed to do so. Turn the refrigerator thermostat to its coldest setting, and
keep its doors closed.
• If electricity is lost, turn off appliances to avoid power surge when electricity is restored.
• Fill the bathtub and other large containers with water to ensure a supply for sanitary purposes.
• Take refuge in a small interior room (closet/hallway/bathroom) on the lowest level and away from
windows and glass doors.

13. After a Tropical Cyclone

• Continue listening to weather news on radio or TV for updated information.
• Avoid damaged areas, stay off roads and remain on firm ground.
• Avoid floodwaters. The water may be contaminated.
• Return home only after local officials declare it is safe. Enter into home with extreme caution. Do
not enter if floodwaters remain.
• Inspection of home:
Leave the house if you smell gas or chemical fumes.
Check for damage to walls, the foundation, the electrical system and water lines.
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I. Hossain and A. R. Mullick, 2020 International Medical Journal

Clean up spilled medicines, bleaches or other flammable liquids immediately.

• Help injured or trapped people. Do not move seriously injured people unless they are in immediate
danger of death or further injury. Call for help.
• Open windows and doors to help dry the house.
• Check food supplies and drinking water. Anything that has come in contact with floodwater may be
contaminated and should be thrown out.
• Clean and disinfect everything that got wet.
• Watch out for snakes and other animals. Use a stick to poke through debris.
• Avoid making phone calls except in serious emergencies26.

14. Conclusion
Developing countries with limited infra-structure and resources to cope with impact of cyclones should
receive particular attention of the international community in capacity building. Research and development
activities centering around cyclone mitigation including long term measures like afforestation should receive
priority attention of academic community in developing societies.
All these and related activities call for a higher level of investment in preparedness, shelter construction,
afforestation, institutional arrangement, policy formulation and community involvement for improved
cyclone disaster prevention for protecting coastal belt inhabitants form the severe effect of cyclonic disasters
and involving them in such process in Bangladesh and that of the region.

15. References
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https://www.scidev.net/global/disasters/feature/cyclones-in-the-indian-ocean-facts-and-figures.html

[2] Chowdhury, Masud Hasan (2012). "SPARRSO". In Islam, Sirajul; Jamal, Ahmed A. (eds.)
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[3] Chowdhury, Masud Hasan (2012). "Cyclone". In Islam, Sirajul; Jamal, Ahmed A. (eds Bangladesh
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[4] Choudhury, A.M., 1992. Cyclones and the coastal zones of Bangladesh, The Bangladesh Quarterly,
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[5] Verstappen, H. Th., 1988. Geomorphological Survey and Natural Hazard Zoning in Central Java.
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[6] Tropical Cyclones: The US Embassy in Bangladesh: access on: 26/05/2020 Available at:
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fbclid=IwAR27RDS-9Us57c9CWpyveYmMXJV5eisNeCkSIGaEkNRjDZAL-4_Q4XdzIRE

[7] L.S.S. O’Malley, Bengal District Gazetteer B. Volume 24-Parganas District Statistics, 1900-1901 to
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[8] Webster P.J., Holland, G.J., Curry, J.A. et al. Changes in tropical cyclone number, duration and
intensity in a warming environment. Science 309, 1844–1846 (2005)
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Volume 25, Issue 06, June, 2020

[9] Cyclones of Bangladesh, The Daily Ittefaq, 5 May 1991.

[10] Post Monsoon Season (October — December) Cyclonic Disturbances". Report on Cyclonic
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[11] H.F. Blandford, Journal of Asiatic SOC. of Bengal, Vol. 46, Part II, pp: 332

[12] Henry Piddington, The Sailor's Horn-book for the Law of Storms (1848), pp: 292

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[14] L.S.S. O’Malley, Bengal District Gazetteer Balasore District Statistics, 1900-1901 to 1910-1911,
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[15] Dipankar C. Patnaik & N. Sivagnanam, Disaster Vulnerability of Coastal States: A Short Case
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[16] D.V. Nalivkin, Cyclone Storms and Tornadoes (1982), pp: 68

[17] Khan S. R., Cyclone Hazard in Bangladesh, Background Information on the Storm Surge
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[18] The Mercury, "Cyclone in Chittagong". 28 October 1897. Retrieved 25 May 2020.

[19] Murty, T.S., Flather, R.A., and Henry, R.F., 1986. The Storm Surge Problem in the Bay of Bengal,
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[20] Khalil, G. Md., 1992, cyclones and Storm Surges in Bangladesh: Some Mitigative measures,
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[21] 12 major cyclones from the past, Dhaka Tribune, access on: 20/05/2020 Available at:
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[22] Murty, T.S. and Neralla, V.R., 1992. On the Recurvature of Tropical Cyclones and the Storm Surge
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3uUCbju6sOXhghc2X-Bg

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