1965 Cyclone: 210 km/h Winds Killed 15,000+ in East Pakistan

• On December 15, 1965, a powerful cyclone struck coastal East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), particularly Cox's Bazar and Patuakhali.
• The cyclone, with winds up to 210 km/h, resulted in over 15,000 estimated deaths, though official figures were lower.
• A lack of modern weather forecasting and disaster management systems contributed to the high casualty count.
• The local salt industry suffered immense damage, with approximately 40,000 salt fields destroyed, impacting thousands of livelihoods.
• This disaster served as a critical lesson, prompting improvements in cyclone shelters, meteorological services, and disaster management strategies.

Why It Matters: 1965 cyclone tragedy shaped modern disaster preparedness strategies.