The Devastating Cyclone of November 1970 East Pakistan
[1] Script error: No such module "AfC submission catcheck". On the night between 12 & 13 November 1970, East Pakistan's coastline was struck by a major tragedy in the shape of a cyclone accompanied by tidal waves. It hit the territory in the Khulna area and swept the coastal areas all the way to Chittagong and beyond. Even in Dhaka, we experienced gale winds but no significant damage was done to property other than the uprooting of some trees. The communication in the affected areas were completely disrupted. Hence, there was a lack of reporting in the immediate aftermath. It was only two or three days later that news of the tragedy started trickling in. Initially, the civil administration committed an error of judgement and ignored the news. The Governor had convened a conference of deputy commissioners and superintendents of police and went ahead with its as if nothing had happened. Perturbed by the indifference of the administration, I collected two of my brigade commanders and some of my staff officers, and took off in an MI8 helicopter. We flew over the affected area extensively, and touched down in several places to get of woe and horror. Food stocks had been washed away and, everywhere we were besieged by hungry people, in need of food and clothes. Hut dwellings, which constituted 99% of the structures, had been completely wiped out. From the air, we spotted a very large number of human and animal corpses floating in the water. It was not possible to take a tally because the casualties were in the thousands. We concluded that immediate government intervention was required. On our return, I had a meeting with the Governor and advised him that the governor should commence relief work immediately, calling the army in to assist. I said that my officers and men would be glad to participate in alleviating this national tragedy.
References[edit]
- ↑ A stranger in my own country. oxford. pp. 36, 37, 38. ISBN 9780195474411. Search this book on
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