Cyclone Sidr facts for kids

Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Sidr was an incredibly powerful and damaging tropical storm. It struck Bangladesh in November 2007. This storm caused one of the worst natural disasters in the country's history. Between 3,000 and 10,000 people lost their lives because of it. The damage cost around $1.7 billion (USD).

What is a Cyclone?

A cyclone is a huge, spinning storm system. 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 a lot of damage when they hit land.

How Cyclones Form

Cyclones start when warm, moist air rises from the ocean surface. This creates an area of low pressure. More air rushes in to fill this space. The Earth's spin makes the air start to swirl. As more warm, moist air rises, the storm grows stronger. It can become a powerful cyclone.

Cyclone Sidr's Journey

Cyclone Sidr formed in the Bay of Bengal. This was in early November 2007. It quickly grew stronger over the warm ocean. Sidr became a "Very Severe Cyclonic Storm." This means it had extremely high winds. It was one of the strongest storms ever recorded in that area.

Sidr Makes Landfall

On November 15, 2007, Cyclone Sidr hit the coast of Bangladesh. It came ashore near the Sundarbans. The Sundarbans is a large mangrove forest. The storm brought winds up to 260 kilometers per hour (160 mph). It also caused a huge storm surge. A storm surge is a wall of ocean water pushed onto land by the storm.

Impact of the Storm Surge

The storm surge from Sidr was very dangerous. It was several meters high. This massive wall of water flooded many low-lying areas. It washed away homes and crops. The surge caused much of the damage and many deaths. People had little time to escape the rising water.

Damage and Effects

Cyclone Sidr caused widespread destruction. Many homes were destroyed or badly damaged. Roads and bridges were also ruined. This made it hard for help to reach affected areas. Farmland was flooded with saltwater. This harmed future harvests.

Loss of Life and Livelihoods

Thousands of people died because of the storm. Many more were injured. Fishing boats were lost, and crops were ruined. This meant many families lost their way to earn money. It took a long time for communities to recover.

Environmental Impact

The Sundarbans forest was severely affected. This forest is home to many animals, including tigers. The storm damaged trees and changed the landscape. It also affected the wildlife living there. The forest helps protect Bangladesh from storms. Its damage made the area more vulnerable.

Relief and Recovery Efforts

After the cyclone, many groups helped Bangladesh. Governments and aid organizations sent food, water, and shelter. They also provided medical help. People worked hard to rebuild homes and infrastructure. It was a huge effort to help everyone recover.

Learning from Sidr

Cyclone Sidr showed the importance of being ready for storms. Bangladesh has improved its warning systems. They have also built more cyclone shelters. These shelters are strong buildings where people can be safe. Early warnings help people evacuate before a storm hits. This saves many lives.

Images for kids

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  Storm surge forecasted on November 14 by numerical model

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  Cyclone Sidr making landfall in Bangladesh.

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  Houses damaged by the cyclone.

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  Sundarbans a few months after Cyclone Sidr