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An ESSA Satellite Photo, April 14, 1969
showing storm over Dacca~Comilla.
Pabna, Mymenslngh and Noakhali.
All the houses destroyed or
damaged wem either thatched
roofed or woocien frame with
corrugated iron sheet roofs. There was practically no loss or damage to
roads and bridges, but electric poles, high tension wires, telegraph and
telephone lines within the affected areas were twisted and tom to pieces,
The power supply to Dacca City and aa acent industrial estates, was totally
disrupted as a result of power lines from Kaptai Dam being blown down.
Normal power service was msmd after two weeks.
not extensive.
ACTION TAKEN BY THE GOVERMvlENT OF EAST PAKISTAN
Agricu1t;ural damage was
The U. S, Mission reported that the GOEP relief effort was comnendable.
Within half an hour's time after the tornado struck rescue operations
started. Military personnel initiated the rescue operation and the public
joined them. By midnight all the hospitals in Dacca City wen? filled;
5,500 of those injured being hospitalized. Military troops donated a large
amount of blood. In response to a Government appeal over Radio Pakistan,
the public also gave blood and many lives were saved through blood transmsions.
Drivers of all the trucks, buses, cars and baby-taxis in the
area volunteered their services. Their vehicles were used in rescue
operations and in carrying the injured to hospitals. The Government also
opened a kitchen the following my which fed about 15,000 people for a
period of two weeks.
Adequate relief did not reach the Ccanilla District i~rmdiately due to a
lack of comunication and transportation facilities. Hiah school, college
and university students took the lead in relief operations in Comilla.