ReliefWeb

Ref: OCHA/GVA - 2000/0207
OCHA Situation Report No. 1
Bangladesh - Tropical Cyclonic Storm
29 October 2000

1. Bangladesh is one of the world's least developed countries and prone to natural disasters, such as cyclones, floods and droughts. In August and September this year, Bangladesh was hit by a serious flood, affecting at least 2 million people and causing substantial damage to housing, agriculture and infrastructure in six districts. Now, in October, Bangladesh has been struck again by a natural disaster.

2. On 29 October 2000, the Office of the United Nations Development Programme in Dhaka reported that a Tropical Cyclone Southern Bangladesh on 28 October 2000.

3. According to unofficial reports (local newspapers), the cyclonic storm emerged from the Bay of Bengal as a result of a depression and swept through the southern, central and north-eastern parts of Bangladesh, killing at least 15 people and injuring several hundred.

4. The cyclonic storm with a speed of 90 to 100 km an hour, caused heavy damage to dwelling houses, standing crops, trees and electric transmission lines. The low-lying areas of the coastal districts and their adjoining islets experienced a 4 to 7 foot tidal surge. More than 10 trawlers and several hundred fishing boats capsized and at least 100 mechanized fishing boats were missing. Local news media reported that several hundred fishermen were missing.

5. The suffering of the flood-affected people in Satkhira and Jessore districts increased as their make-shift dwellings were swept away and the water level rose.

6. Severely affected coastal districts are: Barisal, Barguna, Jhalkathi, Bhola, Khulna, Pirojpur, Noakhali, Luxmipur and Cox's Bazar. Inland affected areas are: Dhaka, Mymensingh, Chandpur and Shariatpur.

7. Local government bodies and NGOs have initiated relief operations in the more severely affected areas in the south. No details of their respective relief operations are yet available.

8. The Government has not requested any international assistance.

9. OCHA is in close contact with the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator in Dhaka and will revert with further information, as it becomes available.

10. This situation report, together with further information on ongoing emergencies, is also available on the OCHA Internet Website at http://www.reliefweb.int

Telephone: +41-22-917 12 34
Fax: +41-22-917 00 23
E-mail: ochagva@un.org

In case of emergency only: Tel. +41-22-917 20 10

Desk Officers: Ms. S. Metzner-Strack / Mr. R. Mueller / Mr. S. Matsuka
Direct Tel. +41-22-917 21 44 / 31 31 / 40 34

Press contact: (in GVA) - Mr. Donato Kiniger-Passigli, direct Tel. +41-22-917 26 53 - (in N.Y.) - Ms. Phyllis Lee, direct Tel. +1-212-963 48 32