May 1997 Bangladesh cyclone
Meteorological history | |
---|---|
Formed | May 14, 1997 |
Dissipated | May 20, 1997 |
Extremely severe cyclonic storm | |
3-minute sustained (IMD) | |
Highest winds | 165 km/h (105 mph) |
Lowest pressure | 964 hPa (mbar); 28.47 inHg |
Category 4-equivalent tropical cyclone | |
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC) | |
Highest winds | 215 km/h (130 mph) |
Overall effects | |
Fatalities | 332-765 total |
Missing | 750 |
Damage | Unknown |
Areas affected |
|
IBTrACS | |
Part of the 1997 North Indian Ocean cyclone season |
The May 1997 Bangladesh cyclone was a powerful and deadly storm that caused widespread damage and death throughout
before rapidly dissipating the next day.Prior to the storm's landfall, official in Bangladesh prompted more than 500,000 residents to evacuate from coastal areas and seek shelter. Despite the large-scale evacuation, more than 1,000 people perished as a result of the cyclone, most of which took place offshore. Numerous structures were damaged or destroyed throughout the affected region and electricity was lost for millions of people. In some areas, entire villages were leveled by the cyclone's storm surge. In the wake of the storm, water-borne diseases began to spread due to standing water and bodies being left out in the open. In response to the disaster, funds from across the globe were sent into Bangladesh to help the country recover.
Meteorological history
On May 13, a near-equatorial trough developed. The poorly organized system slowly tracked towards the north-northwest. The following day, deep convection consolidated around the center of circulation and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) classified the system as Tropical Cyclone 01B.[1] On May 15, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) also began monitoring the system; however, they classified it as Depression BOB 01.[2] Favorable upper-level conditions and good outflow allowed the storm to intensify. Shortly after, the cyclone attained tropical storm-force winds and turned towards the northeast. While gradually increasing in forward motion, the storm continued to strengthen.[1] The IMD eventually upgraded the system to a cyclonic storm on May 16.[2]
On May 17, the cyclone attained winds of 120 km/h (75 mph), equivalent to a
Preparations
About a day before the cyclone would make landfall in Bangladesh, officials in the country raised the highest danger signals and evacuated numerous residents.
Impact
In Bangladesh, the storm wrought catastrophic damage and left hundreds of people dead in its wake. On land, between 67 and 500 people died due to the storm.[7][8] As the tail end of the system moved through, a tornado struck the same region, killing 46 more.[9] Additionally, 750 fishermen went missing offshore during the storm; all are believed to have perished.[10] In all, between 113 and 863 people died due to the cyclone; however, monetary losses are not available.[7][8][10]
In Chittagong, news reports from
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e Joint Typhoon Warning Center (1998). "Tropical Cyclone 01B Preliminary Report" (PDF). World Meteorological Organization. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 7, 2011. Retrieved July 4, 2010.
- ^ a b c d "IMD Best Tracks Data ( 1990 - 2008 )". India Meteorological Department. 2009. Archived from the original (XLS) on November 16, 2009. Retrieved July 4, 2010.
- ^ International Federation of Red Cross And Red Crescent Societies (May 18, 1997). "Bangladesh Cyclone Alert". ReliefWeb. Retrieved July 4, 2010.
- ^ a b c Action by Churches Together (May 19, 1997). "Alert Bangladesh Cyclone". ReliefWeb. Retrieved July 4, 2017.
- ^ "Bangladesh braces for cyclone's rage". The Washington Post. Reuters. May 19, 1997. Retrieved July 4, 2010.
- ^ "Bangladesh cyclone causes 500,000 to flee". The Spokesman Review. Associated Press. May 20, 1997. p. 3. Retrieved July 4, 2010.
- ^ a b c Staff Writer (May 20, 1997). "Fatal Cyclone in Bangladesh". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on November 4, 2012. Retrieved July 4, 2010.
- ^ a b Church World Service (May 20, 1997). "Situation Report Bangladesh Cyclone". ReliefWeb. Retrieved July 4, 2017.
- ^ "Tornado trails cyclone, kills 46". Ellensburg Daily Record. Associated Press. May 20, 1997. p. 7. Retrieved July 4, 2010.
- ^ a b Staff Writer (May 23, 1997). "Bangladesh; 750 Fishermen Still Missing After Storm". Los Angeles Times. p. 17. Retrieved July 4, 2010.
- ^ Staff Writer (May 20, 1997). "Bangladesh cyclone kills 6, levels villages: 500,000 flee huts as winds whip Bay of Bengal". The Spectator. p. B.1. Retrieved July 4, 2010.