6The 1970 Bhola Cyclone
The Bhola Cyclone struck what is now Bangladesh (then East Pakistan) and parts of West Bengal, India, on November 13, 1970. With wind speeds exceeding 115 miles per hour and a storm surge that inundated coastal areas, the cyclone claimed the lives of an estimated 300,000 to 500,000 people. The disaster remains the deadliest tropical cyclone in history. The lack of warning systems and adequate evacuation plans exacerbated the tragedy, leading to widespread devastation and contributing to political tensions that eventually played a role in the Bangladesh Liberation War.
