Bangladesh: Cyclone - Apr 1991

A severe storm with winds of up to over 200 KPH hit the Bangladesh coastline in the Chittagong area on Tuesday 30 April. (UN DHA, 30 Apr 1991) The cyclone was followed by a tidal surge that hit the entire coastal belt of Bangladesh. The most affected districts were Chittagong, Cox's Bazar, Noakhali, Barisal, Patuakhali, Jhalkati, Bhola, Khulna, Bagerhat, and Pirojpur. Low-lying islands went underwater as a result of the tidal surge which rose up to 25 feet. The most affected island was Sandwip. Other affected islands were Kutubdia, Monpura, Moheshkhali, Dublar Char, and St Martins Island. (UN DHA, 2 May 1991)

The cyclone and the tidal wave it generated, have already been described as the worst since the country's independence. Winds of over 235 km/hour lashed coastal areas and low-lying islands from Cox's Bazar all the way to Patuakhali. A storm surge reaching heights of up to 6 meters, submerged densely-populated areas and destroyed virtually everything in its path. (UN DHA, 18 May 1991)

The latest damage assessment by the ministry of relief and rehabilitation issued on 21 May reported that 75 upazilas were affected, 138,866 people died and 138,866 were injured.118,000 acres of crops were estimated to be destroyed and over 791,000 were damaged. Damage to housing and infrastructure includes 790,000 homes completely destroyed, 9,300 schools destroyed or damaged, and about 500 km of roads, and 496 bridges damaged. (UN DHA, 24 May 1991)