 | This article needs to be updated. (October 2015) |
 Severe Cyclonic Storm Aila at peak intensity | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | May 25, 2009, |
| Dissipated | May 27, 2009 |
| Severe cyclonic storm | |
| 3-minute sustained (IMD) | |
| Highest winds | 110 km/h (70 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 968 hPa (mbar); 28.59 inHg |
| Category 1-equivalent tropical cyclone | |
| 1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC) | |
| Highest winds | 120 km/h (75 mph) |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 339 total |
| Damage | At least $1 billion (2009 USD) |
| Areas affected | India Bangladesh |
| IBTrACS | |
Part of the 2009 North Indian Ocean cyclone season | |
Severe Cyclonic Storm Aila (JTWC designation: 02B) was the second named tropical cyclone of the 2009 North Indian Ocean cyclone season. Warned by both the Regional Specialized Meteorological Center (RMSC) and Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC), Aila formed over a disturbance over the Bay of Bengal on May 23, 2009 and started to intensify and organize reaching sustained wind speeds of 110 kmh (70 mph). It was the worst natural disaster to affect Bangladesh since Cyclone Sidr in November 2007. A relatively strong tropical cyclone, it caused extensive damage in India and Bangladesh.
The storm was responsible for at least 339 deaths across Bangladesh and India; more than 1 million people were left homeless. Health officials in Bangladesh confirmed a deadly outbreak of diarrhea on 29 May, with more than 7,000 people being infected and four dying. In Bangladesh, an estimated 20 million people were at risk of post-disaster diseases due to Aila.