List of Bangladesh tropical cyclones


Present day Bangladesh, due to its unique geographic location, suffers from devastating tropical cyclones frequently. The funnel-shaped northern portion of the Bay of Bengal amplifies the storm surge of landfalling 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
Bangladesh Space Research and Remote Sensing Organisation, 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 storms.
A detailed program for storm prevention was outlined by the government following the cyclone of 1991. A Comprehensive Cyclone Preparedness Programme 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 protected with concrete levees. Also, afforestation has been initiated in the coastal regions to create a green belt.

Storms

Historical records

SL. No.Date/YearType of DisturbanceDeathsRelevant InformationReference/Source of Information
1.1582 AD Severe Cyclonic Storm with a core of hurricane winds~200,000 killedCoast: The cyclone crossed the coast of Backerganj.
Loss and damage:
People killed = about 200,000 killed.
The destruction was reported to have been caused by a storm wave.
According to Banglapedia, a five-hour hurricane and thunderstorm destroyed houses and boats in the coast near Bakerganj. Only Hindu temples with a strong foundation were spared.
  • Ain-i-Akbari
  • Riyaz-Us-Salatin
  • Bengal District Gazetteer, 24 Parganas-by L.S.S. O'Malley, ICS, 1914, published- by the Bengal SOC Dept.
2.1585 N/AA tropical storm hit the eastern side of Bakerganj near the mouth of the Meghna River estuary, causing devastation of crops.Casualty: unknown.
  • Banglapedia
3.1699 Severe Cyclonic Storm~50,000 killedCoast: The cyclone crossed the Sundarbans coastLoss and damage:
Other information is not available.
  • Daily Ittefaq, 5 May 1991.
4.1760 Severe Cyclonic StormCoast: The cyclone crossed the Sundarbans coastLoss and damage: N/A.
The whole area was almost damaged.
Other information is not available.
  • Daily Ittefaq, 5 May 1991.
5.1765 Severe Cyclonic StormCoast: The cyclone crossed Chittagong coastLoss and damage: N/A.
The whole area was destroyed.
Other information is not available.
  • Daily Ittefaq, 5 May 1991.
6.1767 Severe Cyclonic Storm30,000Coast: The cyclone crossed Backerganj coast.Surge height: 13.03 m
Loss and damage:
People killed: 30,000.
Other information is not available.
  • Daily Ittefaq, 5 May 1991.
7.May–June 1797 Severe Cyclonic Storm with a core of hurricane windsCoast: The cyclone crossed Chittagong coastLoss and damage:
Every house in the area was destroyed. Two ships were sunk in Chittagong Port.
Other information is not available.
8.June 1822 Severe Cyclonic Storm with a core of hurricane winds50,000Coast: The cyclone crossed the coast of Backerganj, Sarkar Bala.Loss and damage:
People killed = 50,000.
Cattle killed = 100,000.
Storm wave swept away the collectorate records.
Other information is not available.
  • Journal of Asiatic SOC. of Bengal, Vol. 46, Part II, pp 332- by H.F. Blandford
  • Buist's 1st catalogue Trans. Bombay Geo. Soc. Vol. XII. Appendix A.
  • Sailors Horn Book for the law of storms. Appendix A. – by Henry Piddington.
9.2 June 1823Cyclonic StormCoast: The cyclone crossed Chittagong coastOther information is not available.
10.8 June 1824Heavy Storm Coast: The cyclone crossed Chittagong coastOther information is not available.
  • Disastrous storms in the Bay of Bengal, A Listing of Cyclonic Storms by Month Through 1979, Prepared for the Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance Agency for International Development, Washington D.C. 20523 – by F. Henderson.
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11.31 October 1831Severe Cyclonic Storm22,000Coast: The cyclone crossed Barisal coast Surge height: 2.12–4.55 m
Loss and damage: People killed = 22,000
Cattle killed > 50,000
Other information is not available.
  • Bangladesh Meteorological Department.
  • Bengal District Gazetteer - by L.S.S. O'Malley, ICS
12.3–5 June 1839Cyclonic StormCoast: Crossed Head Bay Other information is not available.
  • Disastrous storms in the Bay of Bengal, A Listing of Cyclonic Storms by Month Through 1979, Prepared for the Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance Agency for International Development, Washington D.C. 20523 – by F. Henderson.
13.19–21 September 1839Cyclonic StormCoast: The storm passed north across Sundarbans coast between Calcutta and Barisal.Other information is not available.
  • Disastrous storms in the Bay of Bengal, A Listing of Cyclonic Storms by Month Through 1979, Prepared for the Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance Agency for International Development, Washington D.C. 20523 – by F. Henderson.
14.11 May 1844Cyclonic Storm Coast: Crossed Noakhali and Chittagong coast.Other information is not available.
  • Disastrous storms in the Bay of Bengal, A Listing of Cyclonic Storms by Month Through 1979, Prepared for the Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance Agency for International Development, Washington D.C. 20523 – by F. Henderson.
1847Cyclone storm~75,000 killedVarious locations in BengalDipankar C. Patnaik & N. Sivagnanam. "DISASTER VULNERABILITY OF COASTAL STATES: A Short Case Study of Orissa, India". Social Science Research Network. p. 4. SSRN 1074845. Missing or empty
15.12–13 May 1849Cyclonic Storm Coast: The cyclone crossed Chittagong coastOther information is not available.
  • Disastrous storms in the Bay of Bengal, A Listing of Cyclonic Storms by Month Through 1979, Prepared for the Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance Agency for International Development, Washington D.C. 20523 – by F. Henderson.
16.23–28 April 1850Cyclonic StormFormation: Formed over West Nicobars.Coast: It moved north to Bengal from West Nicobars.
Other information is not available.
  • Disastrous storms in the Bay of Bengal, A Listing of Cyclonic Storms by Month Through 1979, Prepared for the Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance Agency for International Development, Washington D.C. 20523 – by F. Henderson.
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17.12–15 May 1852Cyclonic StormFormation: Formed near 15°N.Coast: It moved northward and crossed the Sundarbans coast; the center passed east of Calcutta
Other information is not available.
  • Disastrous storms in the Bay of Bengal, A Listing of Cyclonic Storms by Month Through 1979, Prepared for the Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance Agency for International Development, Washington D.C. 20523 – by F. Henderson.
18.13–17 May 1869Cyclonic StormThe storm moved northwestward from Cape Negrais to Bengal and crossed the Bengal coastOther information is not available.
  • Disastrous storms in the Bay of Bengal, A Listing of Cyclonic Storms by Month Through 1979, Prepared for the Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance Agency for International Development, Washington D.C. 20523 – by F. Henderson.
19.5–10 June 1869Cyclonic StormCoast: From the North Bay the cyclone passed over Bengal.Other information is not available.
  • Disastrous storms in the Bay of Bengal, A Listing of Cyclonic Storms by Month Through 1979, Prepared for the Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance Agency for International Development, Washington D.C. 20523 – by F. Henderson.
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20.October 1872 Cyclonic StormCoast: The cyclone hit the coast of Cox's BazarOther information is not available.
  • Disastrous storms in the Bay of Bengal, A Listing of Cyclonic Storms by Month Through 1979, Prepared for the Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance Agency for International Development, Washington D.C. 20523 – by F. Henderson.
  • Banglapedia
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21.29 October – 1 November 1876Severe Cyclonic Storm with a core of hurricane winds.~200,000 killedCoast: The cyclone crossed the coast of Backerganj near Meghna estuary.
Maximum wind: 220 km/h
Surge height: 3–13.6 m
According to Banglapedia, a cyclone with a storm-surge of 12.2 metres hit Meghna River estuary near Chittagong, Barisal, and Noakhali. Casualty: about 200,000. The storm also caused epidemic and famine, and vast property damage.
  • Disastrous storms in the Bay of Bengal, A Listing of Cyclonic Storms by Month Through 1979, Prepared for the Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance Agency for International Development, Washington D.C. 20523 – by F. Henderson.
  • BMD
  • Hurricane Storms and tornadoes- by D.V. Nalivkin, 1982, pp. 68.
  • Journal of Asiatic Soc. Vol. XL VI- by H.F. Blanford pp. 338.
  • Tracks of Storms and Depressions in the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea, 1877–1970, IMD, 1979.
  • Banglapedia
22.24 October 1897Cyclonic Storm14,000Coast:Kutubdia island near Chittagong.Casualty: 14,000. The resulting epidemic of Cholera killed another 18,000The Mercury
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23.May 1898 ?Tropical cyclone with storm surgeCoast:Teknaf
Casualty: unknown
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24.November 1904 Cyclonic storm143Coast:Sonadia
143 killed and fishing fleet wrecked.
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25.16 October 1909Cyclonic Storm698Coast:Khulna
Casualty: 698 people and 70,654 cattle.
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26.October 1913 Cyclonic Storm500Coast:Muktagachha upazila
A tropical cyclone, having moved inland destroyed villages. Casualty: 500 people.
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27.24 September 1917Cyclonic Storm432Coast:Khulna
Casualty: 432 people and 28,029 cattle.
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28.May 1941 Cyclonic StormCoast:Eastern Meghna River estuary
Casualty: unknown.
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29.October 1942 Cyclonic StormCoast:The Sundarbans
Casualty: unknown.
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30.17–19 May 1948Cyclonic Storm1,200Coast:Deltan between Chittagong and Noakhali
Casualty: approximately 1,200 people and 20,000 cattle.
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31.16–19 May 1958870Cyclonic StormCoast:East and West Meghna River estuary, east of Barisal and Noakhali
Casualty: 870 people and 14,500. Also standing crops were destroyed.
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32.21–24 October 1958Cyclonic StormCoast:Chittagong
Casualty:Approx. 100,000 families were rendered homeless.
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33.9–10 October 1960Severe Cyclonic StormCoast:Eastern Meghna River estuary near Noakhali, Bakerganj, Faridpur and Patuakhali.
Maximum Wind:201 km/hour
Maximum Surge: 3.05 metres
Casualty: 3,000 people. Other effects: 62,725 houses destroyed. Crops on 94,000 acres of land were destroyed
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34.30–31 October 1960Severe Cyclonic StormCoast:Chittagong, Noakhali, Bakerganj, Faridpur, Patuakhali and eastern Meghna estuary
Maximum Wind:210 km/h
Surge: 4.5–6.1 m
Casualty: about 10,000 people, 27,793 cattle. Losses: 568,161 houses destroyed. Also, two large ocean-going ships ran aground in the shore, and 5–7 vessels capsized in Karnaphuli River.
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35.9 May 1961Severe Cyclonic Storm11,468Coast:Bagerhat and Khulna
Maximum Wind:161 km/h
Surge height:2.44-3.05 m
Casualty: 11,468 people, 25,000 cattle. Damages: The railway tracks between Noakhali and Harinarayanpur were damaged.
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36.26–30 October 1962Severe Cyclonic StormCoast:Feni
Maximum Wind:161 km/h
Surge height:2.5-3.0 m
Casualty: about 1,000 people, many domestic cattle.
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37.28–29 May 1963Severe Cyclonic StormCoast:Chittagong, Noakhali, Cox's Bazar and coastal islands of Sandwip, Kutubdia, Hatiya and Maheshkhali.
Maximum Wind:203 km/h
Surge height:4.3-5.2 m
Casualty: 11,520 people, 32,617 cattle. Damages: 376,332 houses, 4,787 boats, and standing crops.
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38.11–12 May 1965Cyclonic Storm19,279Coast:Barisal and Bakerganj
Maximum Wind:162 km/h
Surge height:3.7 m
Casualty:19,279 people.
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39.14–15 December 1965Cyclonic StormCoast: near Cox's Bazar and Patuakhali
Maximum Windspeed:210 km/h at Cox's Bazar
Surge height:4.7-6.1 m
Casualty 873 people. Damage: 40,000 salt beds destroyed
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40.1 October 1966Cyclonic Storm850Coast:Sandwip, Bakerganj, Khulna, Chittagong, Noakhali and Comilla
Surge height:4.7-9.1 m
Maximum Wind:146 km/h
Total people affected: 1.5 million people. Casualty: 850 people, 65,000 cattle.
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41.7-13 November: The 1970 Bhola cycloneSevere Cyclonic Storm500,000+Coast:entire coast of Bangladesh
Most affected were Chittagong, Barguna, Khepupara, Patuakhali, north of Char Burhanuddin, Char Tazumuddin and south of Maijdi, Haringhata.
The official death toll was 500,000 but the number is likely to be higher. Damages include destruction of approximately 20,000 fishing boats, and also property and crops. 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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42.5–6 November 1971Cyclonic StormCoast:Coastal areas of Chittagong
Casualty:unknown
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43.28–30 November 1971Cyclonic StormCoast:near the Sundarbans
Wind Speed:97–113 km/h
Surge height:1 m
Effect:Low-lying areas of Khulna town inundated
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44.6–9 December 1973Cyclonic StormCoast:near the Sundarbans
Coastal areas near Patuakhali and nearby islands were submerged under the tidal bore.
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45.13–15 August 1974600Cyclonic StormCoast:Khulna
Maximum Wind:80.5 km/h
Casualty:600 people.
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46.24–28 November 1974Cyclonic Storm200Coast:near Cox's Bazar and Chittagong
Maximum Wind:161 km/h
Surge height:2.8-5.2 m
Casualty: 200 people, 1000 cattle. Damages: 2,300 houses destroyed.
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This is a partial list of the tropical cyclones in Bangladesh or the historical region of Bengal of pre-partitioned India in general. Some of the years and dates may be slightly incorrect. Most of the figures have been taken from Banglapedia.