 The cyclone near peak intensity approaching Bangladesh on April 29 | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | April 24, 1991 |
| Dissipated | April 30, 1991 |
| Super cyclonic storm | |
| 3-minute sustained (IMD) | |
| Highest winds | 235 km/h (145 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 918 hPa (mbar); 27.11 inHg |
| Category 5-equivalent tropical cyclone | |
| 1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC) | |
| Highest winds | 260 km/h (160 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 898 hPa (mbar); 26.52 inHg |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 138,866 (Fourth-deadliest tropical cyclone on record) |
| Damage | $1.7 billion |
| Areas affected | Bangladesh, Northeastern India, Myanmar, Yunnan |
| IBTrACS | |
Part of the 1991 North Indian Ocean cyclone season | |
The 1991 Bangladesh cyclone was among the deadliest tropical cyclones in recorded history.[1] It was also one of the most powerful cyclones in the Indian Ocean. Forming out of a large area of convection over the Bay of Bengal on April 24, the tropical cyclone initially developed gradually while meandering over the southern Bay of Bengal. On April 28, the storm began to accelerate northeastwards under the influence of the southwesterlies, and rapidly intensified to super cyclonic storm strength near the coast of Bangladesh on April 29. After making landfall in the Chittagong district of southeastern Bangladesh with winds of around 250 km/h (155 mph), the cyclone rapidly weakened as it moved through northeastern India, degenerating into a remnant low over the Yunnan province in western China.
One of the most powerful tropical cyclones ever recorded in the basin, the tropical cyclone caused a 6.1 m (20 ft) storm surge, which inundated the coastline, causing at least 138,866 deaths and about US$1.7 billion (1991 USD) in damage. As a result of the catastrophic damage, the United States and other countries carried out Operation Sea Angel, one of the largest military relief efforts ever carried out.
- ^ Unattributed (2008). "The Worst Natural Disasters by Death Toll" (PDF). NOAA Backgrounder. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 12, 2020. Retrieved October 3, 2018.