Bangladesh: Cyclone - Sep 1997

The UNDP Resident Representative in Dhaka reports that an unexpected cyclonic storm, with wind gusts of up to 125 km/h, made its first landfall on 27 September between 01:50 and 03:00 hrs in the Noakhali area, especially Laksmipur as well as the tip of the island of Bhola. A tidal bore of 7-12 ft occurred inundating charlands and other low-lying areas (high tide had occurred at approximately 00:00 hrs the same day). Wind damage has also been reported.The tail of the cyclonic storm touched Chittagong and Cox's Bazaar area at around the same time. (UN DHA, 29 Sep 1997)

The UNDP Resident Representative in Dhaka reports that on 29 September 1997 a donors meeting was held during which the Government's Disaster Management Bureau presented the official damage statistics. According to their records, the cyclone affected 17 out of the 64 districts of Bangladesh. The worst affected districts were Bhola, Noakhali, Bagerhat and Khulna. The death toll stands at 51 with 137 missing, the number of injured at 63. Nearly 750,000 people were reported to have been 'affected'. Damaged shelter (primarily bamboo and similar structures): 24,972 totally collapsed and 48,895 partially. Damage to crops: 708 acres of land totally and 38,969 acres partially. Other damage reported by the Government representative includes 30 km of roads, five bridges/culverts, 20 schools and 30 km of embankments. (UN DHA, 01 Oct 1997)