Bangladesh today observes April 29 as a day of mourning, remembering the catastrophic cyclone that struck the country on this day in 1991. The storm, known as Cyclone Gorky, hit the Chattogram coast with winds reaching 155 miles per hour, destroying vast coastal regions and killing more than 200,000 people. Millions were left homeless, and property losses were estimated at two billion dollars. The cyclone affected 19 districts and 102 upazilas, with the worst damage reported in Sandwip, Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Kutubdia, Bhola, and Teknaf.

The storm originated as a deep depression in the Bay of Bengal on April 22, 1991, intensified over the following days, and made landfall on April 29. Many residents failed to reach shelters despite warnings, leading to the high death toll. The tidal surge swept away crops, livestock, and naval and air force infrastructure in coastal and port areas.

Even after 35 years, large parts of Bangladesh’s coastal belt remain vulnerable, with fragile embankments in Kutubdia, Maheshkhali, Pekua, Eidgaon, Cox’s Bazar Sadar, and Teknaf posing ongoing risks to residents.