On this day, October 5, 1864, a cyclonic storm wreaked havoc in West Bengal. Severe flooding occurred in Kolkata. The storm is estimated to have killed 60,000 people. In the aftermath of the storm, thousands of people died from disease and infection.
The storm in the Bay of Bengal devastated entire cities and ports. It took many years to rebuild it. Later, in 1865, the country established a maritime storm warning system for the first time. In this case, Kolkata became the first port to issue a warning (cyclone signal). Even after 160 years, the memory of the horrific cyclone that hit Kolkata on October 5, 1864 is still fresh in the minds of the people of Bengal.
More than 150 devastating storms in three centuries
Residents of Bangladesh face the danger of various types of cyclones almost every year. In the past three centuries, from 1737 to 2021, the people of Bengal have been exposed to more than one hundred and fifty cyclones. The cyclones that struck the Bay of Bengal in 1737, 1864, 1874, 1876 and October 1942 were very severe and caused considerable loss of life and property.
The storm of 1864 was the most destructive
The cyclone that struck Calcutta on October 5, 1864 was one of the most dangerous cyclones in Bengal. This is one of the most destructive cyclones in the world. The devastation caused by hurricanes is horrific. Officials at the time estimated that approximately 60,000 people would die in the storm. The loss of life and property in Bangladesh is said to have been only partially determined.
Floods hit Kolkata
On October 5, 1864, much of Calcutta (present-day Calcutta), India, was flooded and destroyed by a tropical cyclone. The cyclone crossed the West Bengal coast south of the Hooghly river, one of the rivers that form the Ganges delta. Most of the deaths were due to drowning, and some were due to diseases spread before the storm. The Hooghly river was swollen due to storms. Everything in its path was swept away. After the hurricane, the city, other surrounding areas and some ports had to be rebuilt.
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Rainfall during this period was approximately 610 mm
It is said that 610 millimeters of rain fell during the storm. Many ships in the Port of Calcutta were destroyed. The devastating cyclone resulted in flooding in areas around Kolkata and Midnapur. Even today, one hears stories of this devastating storm; those who survived the storm faced immense tragedy. Eating food to survive and stay away from disease is a challenge.
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Major events today
On October 5, 1796, Spain declared war on Britain.
On October 5, 1805, Lord Cornwallis, the second Governor-General and Commander-in-Chief of British India, died in Ghazipur.
After the Portuguese Revolution on October 5, 1910, the centuries-old monarchy was overthrown and the First Portuguese Republic was established.
On October 5, 1813, the Battle of the Thames broke out, and American soldiers defeated the British army. There were about 1,000 Indian soldiers in the British army in this battle.
On October 5, 1892, the Dalton Gang, notorious for its train robberies, was nearly wiped out while trying to rob two banks in Coffeyville, Kansas.
