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Cyclone and Storm Surge - Iczmpwb.org

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2.2<br />

region is that which struck the south eastern coast of present Bangladesh in November 1970, just a<br />

few months ahead of the foundation of the country. The extent of devastation had been huge –<br />

reportedly 5,00,000 dead <strong>and</strong> 1,00,000 missing thus distinguishing it to be one of the worst natural<br />

disasters of modern times. A perusal of the storm track indicates that it had moved uncannily close to<br />

the shores of West Bengal, <strong>and</strong> one may imagine the grave consequences had the path been just<br />

deviated to make a l<strong>and</strong>fall here.<br />

The next two severe cyclones, however, have luckily spared West Bengal – the first one being the<br />

1991 cyclone that made l<strong>and</strong>fall at Chittagong in Bangladesh <strong>and</strong> the second being the 1999 Orissa<br />

cyclone that hit Paradeep port badly. In either case, much of the deaths were by flooding caused by<br />

the torrential rains generated as a consequence of the storm.<br />

Figure 2-1. Tracks of all the major tropical cyclones in the Bay of Bengal since 1970

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