How does Cyclone Amphan compare with previous storms?

Tropical cyclones regularly impact global coastlines, causing severe destruction, displacement, and loss of life. Storms like Cyclone Amphan fit into a historical pattern of severe weather events affecting vulnerable regions such as the Bay of Bengal, which also faced destructive storms like Cyclone Aila and historical catastrophes in Bangladesh. Climate change and regional vulnerabilities continue to exacerbate the threats posed by these powerful natural hazards.

What we know

• Tropical cyclones have caused approximately 2 million deaths globally since the 19th century. [2]
• Cyclone Aila was the worst natural disaster to affect Bangladesh since Cyclone Sidr in November 2007. [3]
• Bangladesh is ranked seventh in the Climate Risk Index for countries most affected by climate calamities between 1999 and 2018. [4]
• A cyclone struck Bangladesh in 1970, producing a 6.1-meter storm surge that killed at least 300,000 people, making it the deadliest tropical cyclone on record. [2]

Where to go next

• what caused itWhat caused the severe destruction during Cyclone Aila?
• how it workedHow does climate change affect tropical cyclone intensity?
• a case in pointWhat was the death toll of the 1970 Bhola cyclone in Bangladesh?
• compared withHow vulnerable is Bangladesh to rising sea levels?
• the bigger pictureWhat are the broader impacts of tropical cyclones by region?
• an unexpected connectionHow do Sahara Desert tropical waves connect to African cyclones?Tropical cyclones in Africa can originate from tropical waves generated over the Sahara Desert.

Sources

• [1]Tropical cyclone effects by region (Wikidata Q108551632) · CC0 1.0
• [2]Tropical cyclone effects by region · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [3]Cyclone Aila · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [4]Climate change in Bangladesh · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [5]2020s · CC BY-SA 4.0