Daulatpur–Saturia tornado

Daulatpur–Saturia tornado

Dhaka, the area hit by the tornado
Formed April 26, 1989 18:30 (Local time)
Max rating1 Unrated tornado
Highest winds
  • 111–217 mph (179–349 km/h)
Damage Unknown
Casualties 1,300 fatalities (estimated)
Areas affected Manikganj, Dhaka, Bangladesh
1Most severe tornado damage; see Fujita scale

The Daulatpur–Saturia, Bangladesh tornado was an extremely dangerous tornado that occurred in the Manikganj District, Bangladesh on April 26, 1989. It was the costliest and deadliest tornado in Bangladesh's history. There is great uncertainty about the death toll, but estimates indicate that it killed around 1,300 people, which would make it the deadliest tornado in history.[1] The tornado affected the cities of Daulatpur and Saturia the most, moving east through Daulatpur and eventually northeast and into Saturia.[1] Previously, the area that the tornado hit had been in a state of drought for six months, possibly generating tornadic conditions.[1]

Damage and effects

Damage was extensive over the area, as countless trees were uprooted and every home within a six square kilometer area of the tornado's path was completely destroyed.[1] After the storm hit, an article in the Bangladesh Observer stated that "The devastation was so complete, that barring some skeletons of trees, there were no signs of standing infrastructures".[1] The tornado was estimated to be approximately one mile wide, and had a path that was about 50 miles long, through the poor areas and slums of Bangladesh.[2] Approximately 80,000 people were left homeless by the storm, and 12,000 people were injured by the storm.[3] Saturia and Manikganj were both fully destroyed by the tornado.[4]

Frequency

Bangladesh is one of the countries with the highest frequency of tornadoes, behind the United States and Canada.[5] Bangladesh has received other deadly tornadoes, but this particular storm was the worst in the country's history.[5]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Finch, Jonathan. "Tornados in Bangladesh and East India –—". National Weather Service. Bangladesh tornadoes. Retrieved 2008-08-23.
  2. ↑ Cerveny 2005, p. 272
  3. ↑ Cerveny 2005, pp. 272–273
  4. ↑ Cerveny 2005, p. 273
  5. 1 2 Edwards, Rodger. "Tornado FAQ". NOAA. Retrieved 2008-08-23.

External links

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