Bhola remembers the deadly 12 November cyclone with state initiative after 56 years, demand for Coastal Day

A remembrance meeting and prayer gathering have been held in Bhola in memory of those killed in the cyclone and tidal surge of the deadly 12 November 1970.

At the programme held at 11am on Thursday at the Bhola Zila Parishad auditorium, speakers demanded that 12 November be declared ‘Coastal Day’ at the state level. They also spoke about ensuring the safety of coastal people.

On that day, a devastating cyclone and tidal surge from the Bay of Bengal ravaged the coastal areas of the then East Pakistan. It was mentioned at the programme that around 500,000 people died in the disaster.

The island district of Bhola was among the worst-hit areas. Countless lives were swept away along with houses, trees and livestock. Thousands of families were left destitute after losing relatives.

This remembrance meeting and prayer gathering were organised with a government initiative for the first time, 56 years after the event. Various organisations also took up programmes to observe the day.

Deputy Commissioner Dr Shamim Rahman was the chief guest at the programme, chaired by Zila Parishad chairman and district BNP convener Alhaj Golam Nabi Alamgir. Superintendent of Police Md Shahidullah Kawsar and district BNP member secretary Raisul Alam were special guests.

Recalling memories, speakers said the memory of that dreadful night still haunts those who survived. They also spoke about the sacrifice of those who died in the disaster and the terrible damage to coastal areas.

Speakers said if 12 November is observed at the state level, the sacrifice of coastal people, the history of the disaster and the crises and prospects of coastal regions will receive greater importance nationally. It will also create an opportunity to present the history of that dreadful day to future generations.

On the night of 12 November 1970, the devastating cyclone formed in the Bay of Bengal struck the coastal region of the then East Pakistan. With winds of around 224 kilometres per hour and a tidal surge 6 to 10 metres high, vast areas of the coast including Bhola were inundated.

Thousands of houses, livestock, crop fields and fishing boats were swept away in that surge.

According to the World Meteorological Organization, the 1970 Bhola cyclone is the deadliest cyclone in world history. The estimated death toll from the disaster, which struck on 12–13 November, is between 300,000 and 500,000. Government and private estimates of the death toll differ.

Among those who spoke at the programme were Dainik Ajker Bhola representative Alhaj Shawkat Hossain, Bandhujon convener Mia Mohammad Yunus, Muktijoddha Sangsad convener Aminul Islam, Bhola district BNP joint convener Enamul Haque, Sujan president Mobasher Ullah Chowdhury, CPP team leader Md Taslim and Amra Bholabasi organisation convener Mir Mosharraf Omis.

The programme was conducted by Bhola district Red Crescent Unit secretary and district BNP joint convener Md Humayun Kabir Sopan.

Later, a special prayer was offered for the souls of those killed in the 1970 cyclone. The prayer was led by Hafez Boni Amin.