The disaster came at a speed of 210, 15,000 people were drowned in water, there was chaos… | World

The cyclone caused the most damage in the areas around Cox’s Bazar and Patuakhali. Strong waves entered the villages. Houses, huts and fields were submerged in water within no time. Many villages were destroyed.

According to official and unofficial figures, the cyclone killed around 15,000 people, while some official reports put the death toll at 873 directly. Experts believe the actual figure could be much higher due to communication and recording limitations.

This cyclone not only claimed human lives but also caused huge damage to the local economy. The Cox’s Bazar region was known for its salt production. The storm completely destroyed about 40,000 salt pans. Inundation of seawater and heavy rains washed away salt flats, threatening the livelihoods of thousands of families. Workers and farmers dependent on the salt industry faced long periods of unemployment and poverty. The government’s limited resources for rehabilitation at the time exacerbated the situation.

In 1965, there was neither satellite surveillance nor an effective early warning system. Cyclone warnings were received too late, and there was no organized system for evacuating people. Strong cyclone shelters were almost non-existent in coastal areas. Experts believe that if timely warnings and evacuation arrangements were made, thousands of lives could have been saved.

The 1965 cyclone proved to be an important lesson for Bangladesh and South Asia in the years that followed. Cyclone shelters were gradually built in coastal areas, the Meteorological Department was strengthened, and disaster management strategies were developed.

The cyclone of December 15, 1965 was not just a natural disaster, but a tragedy in human history, which displaced thousands of families. The disasters in Cox’s Bazar and Patuakhali have taught the importance of pre-disaster vigilance, strong infrastructure and an effective warning system.