Sunday, April 19, 2009

The Deadly Cyclones of Bangladesh



Map of northern Bay of Bengal coastline
showing Bangladesh and surrounding nations.



Images from: Significant Severe Cyclones Striking Bangladesh




Tropical Cyclone October 2000 (Courtesy NOAA)




Composite of Cyclone Tracks Crossing
the Bay of Bengal (1970 to 2005)
Source: Wikimedia Commons




Cyclones Tracking Over Bangladesh During the Twentieth Century
Source: Banglapedia



The 1970 Bhola Cyclone




Track for Bhola Cyclone, November 1970
Source: Wikimedia Commons




Image of the Bhola cyclone taken on 11November 1970.
Courtesy US NOAA



The 1991 Bangladesh Cyclone

Color coding of storm strength based upon Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale

TD TS 1 2 3 4 5

Track of 1991 Bangladesh Cyclone, April 1991
Source: Wikimedia Commons




1991 Bangladesh cyclone near peak intensity on April 29 at 0623 UTC.
Courtesy US NOAA / Satellite and Information Service




Flooded villages and fields around a river in Bangladesh
the day after the 1991 Bangladesh cyclone
Courtesy US Air Force Defense Visual Information Center
Photo by Staff Sergeant Val Gempis



Cyclone Sidr



Color coding of storm strength based upon Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale

TD TS 1 2 3 4 5

Track of Cyclone Sidr, November 2007
Source: Wikimedia Commons




Tropical Cyclone Sidr (06B) in the Bay of Bengal, as seen by the MODIS
instrument aboard NASA's Terra satellite on November 14 at 0445 UTC.
Courtesy of MODIS Rapid Response Project at NASA/GSFC




Map showing affected districts of Bangladesh due to Cyclone Sidr, November 2007.
Courtesy Humanitarian Information Unit, US Department of State




Coastal Damage due to Cyclone Sidr.
Courtesy U.S. Navy, photo taken by
Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Christopher Lange

Cyclone Bijli kills five in Bangladesh

From http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/003200904191351.htm

Five people were killed as Cyclone Bijli hit Bangladesh's southern region, but there was no serious damage to the ports and other installations.

As the cyclone fizzled out, life began to return to normal in the coastal districts, the Chittagong and Mongla ports and Chittagong airport Friday evening, The Daily Star said on Sunday.

Bijli hit Chittagong-Cox's Bazar coast at around 7.30 p.m. Friday, weakened gradually with rainfall and fizzled out Saturday morning as it entered Rangamati in Chittagong Hill Tracts.

Five people were killed during the cyclone in Cox's Bazar, Chittagong and Noakhali Friday night, while 12 people were injured.

Over 300,000 persons were evacuated during Friday-Saturday, media reports said.

Bangladesh is in the cyclone-prone region and has faced over 80 major cyclones that have been recorded.

The last major cyclone was in November 2007. Cyclone Sidr left over 50,000 dead, destroying crops and damaging ports.

Late summer afternoon "Thunder cells"

Visible satellite pics loop of late summer afternoon thunderstorms over Andhra, Karnataka and Kerala on 19-Apr-09.