1991 Bangladesh cyclone facts for kids

The Bangladesh Cyclone of 1991 was a very powerful and destructive storm. On the evening of Monday, April 29, 1991, this super cyclone hit the Chittagong area in southeastern Bangladesh. It brought strong winds of about 155 mph. Sadly, over 138,000 people lost their lives. The storm also caused a lot of damage, costing about $1.5 billion. Nearly ten million people lost their homes because of the cyclone.

What is a Cyclone?

A cyclone is a huge, spinning storm. It forms over warm ocean waters. These storms are also called hurricanes or typhoons in other parts of the world. They bring very strong winds and heavy rain. Cyclones can cause big waves called storm surges. These surges can flood coastal areas.

How Cyclones Form

Cyclones start when warm, moist air rises from the ocean. This creates an area of low pressure. More air rushes in to fill this space. As the Earth spins, this air starts to swirl. The storm grows bigger and stronger. It gets its energy from the warm ocean water.

The 1991 Bangladesh Cyclone

The 1991 cyclone was one of the strongest ever. It was a "super cyclonic storm." This means it had extremely high wind speeds. It formed in the Bay of Bengal. Then it moved quickly towards the coast of Bangladesh.

The Storm's Arrival

The cyclone hit Bangladesh at night. Many people were sleeping. The winds were incredibly strong. They blew down houses and trees. The storm surge was also very high. It flooded many low-lying areas. This made the damage even worse.

Impact and Aftermath

The cyclone caused terrible destruction. It affected millions of people. Many homes were destroyed. Farmlands were flooded with saltwater. This made it hard to grow food. Clean water also became scarce.

Helping Hands After the Storm

After the cyclone, people from all over the world helped. Countries sent food, water, and medicine. Rescue teams worked hard to find survivors. They also helped people get to safe places. It took a long time for Bangladesh to recover. The event showed how important it is to prepare for such storms.

Images for kids

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  Flooding around the Karnaphuli River in Bangladesh

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  A damaged village in Bangladesh, surrounded by flooded fields, three weeks after the storm had struck

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  Bangladeshis unloading international aid with Made in India, from a US helicopter