The Bhola cyclone and tidal wave occurred in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) on 13 November 1970. It was one the greatest cyclones of the 20th century.
On the night of 12 November a tropical cyclone in the Bay of Bengal was approaching the coast of East Pakistan. Winds in excess of 120 mph (190 kph), combined with an exceptionally high tide of 15–20 feet (5–6m), drove a tidal surge into the low lying, densely populated region in the early hours of the morning. The result was widespread flooding, with many people being drowned in their sleep.
The offical death toll was put at 150,000, with 100,000 people missing. However many estimates put the true figure as high as 500,000.
The highest loss of life and destruction occured on the low lying islands of the Ganges Delta south of Dhaka. In particular the island and district of Bhola , where casualties may have exceeded 100,000 alone, with the towns of Charfasson and Tazumuddin being devastated. The city of Chittagong was also badly affected.
The Bay of Bengal is particularly vulnerable to cyclone disasters. The next most comparable disaster in the area was the cyclone of 29 April 1991 which killed over 130,000 people.
See also
External links
- Data on Bangladesh disasters http://nirapad.org/care_nirapad/Home/Magazine/chronology/currentissue/html/news8
.html from NIRAPAD disaster response organisation.
- On this day - liketelevision http://tesla.liketelevision.com/liketelevision/tuner.php?channel=318&format=tv&t
heme=history
- Islam Online - Disaster Victims http://www.islamonline.net/english/In_Depth/DisasterVictims/Articles/10.shtml
Last updated: 01-28-2005 05:20:34
Last updated: 05-03-2005 17:50:55
