Over the centuries, natural disasters have been part of human existence. Although extremely devastating, they have left their impact on humanity and have literally wreaked “havoc” on the planet.
Among the many types of natural disasters that we are aware of, tropical cyclones are one of the most destructive. They form over warm ocean waters and unleash fury through torrential downpours, leading to flash floods and devastation in their wake.
Numerous tropical cyclones have occurred throughout history, causing unimaginable damage to humankind and the world around us. We have jotted down the details of the top 15.
1. The 1970 Bhola Cyclone – Bangladesh
- Date: November 12, 1970
- Estimated Death Toll: 300,000–500,000
When talking about the deadliest tropical cyclones, nothing beats the 1970 Bhola Cyclone, which hit East Pakistan, now Bangladesh. Since the cyclone hit one of the most densely populated areas in East Pakistan, the death toll was extremely high. Winds exceeding 190 km/h and a massive storm surge of up to 10 meters inundated thousands of coastal villages. What further worsened the situation was the deltaic geography and lack of warning systems. The lack of intervention and proper rescue abilities from the then-Pakistan government enraged the people, leading to the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971.
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2. The 1839 Coringa Cyclone – India
- Date: November 25, 1839
- Estimated Death Toll: 300,000
Hitting the coastal town of Coringa in Andhra Pradesh, India, the 1839 Coringa Cyclone was also destructive. The terrifying cyclone came with winds of over 230 km/h alongside a massive 40-foot storm surge, obliterating the entire town. Due to the sudden hit of the cyclone, over 20,000 ships and boats were destroyed in the harbor, which hit the local economy pretty badly. It is said that due to the cyclone, the town never recovered economically and was later wiped off the map.
3. The 1737 Calcutta Cyclone – India
- Date: October 11, 1737
- Estimated Death Toll: 250,000–300,000
Another of the worst tropical cyclones that hit India was the Calcutta Cyclone, which hit in 1737. The cyclone entirely ravaged and upturned the Bengal region. While the official numbers indicate that the cyclone claimed over 250,000 lives and destroyed over 20,000 homes, some historical scholars debate the exact figures. Due to the intense winds, flooding, and a 40-foot tidal surge, Calcutta’s buildings collapsed, and the nearby villages were wiped out. Also, the adjoining Hooghly River overflowed, further adding to the catastrophe.
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4. Typhoon Haiphong – Vietnam
- Date: October 8, 1881
- Estimated Death Toll: 300,000
Tagged as the “third-deadliest tropical cyclone” to date, Typhoon Haiphong is another one that deserves a spot in the list. The cyclone hit northern Vietnam in 1881 and landed near Haiphong, a popular port city. The violet storm surge left no warning signs, and the population in close vicinity was caught off guard. Floodwaters surged into the city and surrounding regions, claiming around 300,000 lives. Also, owing to the port city’s location, it experienced the worst of the cyclone, being in its path.
5. The 1991 Bangladesh Cyclone
- Date: April 29, 1991
- Estimated Death Toll: 138,000
The 1991 Bangladesh Cyclone is another one of the deadliest tropical cyclones to date. The cyclone landed in southeastern Bangladesh with 250 km/h wind speeds and a 10 m high storm surge. One of the worst-hit cities was Chittagong, and some of the surrounding coastal areas. Not just buildings and infrastructure, the cyclone destroyed hundreds of villages and left over 10 million people homeless. There were reportedly early warnings, but the lack of shelter facilities led to a high death toll in the area.
6. Cyclone Nargis – Myanmar
- Date: May 2, 2008
- Estimated Death Toll: 138,000
Cyclone Nargis struck Myanmar’s Irrawaddy Delta with devastating impact, becoming the deadliest cyclone in history. The cyclone came around with sustained winds of 215 km/hr and an enormous storm surge, flooding large swaths of land, destroying crops, homes, and critical infrastructure. Not only was the disaster bad, but the delay by the military-led government in its rescue further increased the casualties quickly. Approximately 2.4 million people were affected, and the devastation was one of the main factors that drew attention to the political regime’s failings.
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7. The 1864 Calcutta Cyclone – India
- Date: October 5, 1864
- Estimated Death Toll: 60,000
Another devastating cyclone that hit Calcutta back in the 1800s was the 1864 Calcutta Cyclone. It brutally devastated the port city, leading to the death of around 60,000+ people. The cyclone brought winds of over 160 km/h, which led to the destruction of 200 ships docked in the port. The disaster destroyed not just the ships but also numerous warehouses, homes, and colonial buildings. Beyond the storm, the cyclone also led to floods in the low-lying areas in the city. The lack of cyclone-resistant infrastructure in colonial India, it led to the damage that it did experience.
8. The 1922 Swatow Typhoon – China
- Date: August 2, 1922
- Estimated Death Toll: 60,000
The Swatow Typhoon hit the eastern Chinese city of Shantou (formerly Swatow), killing around 60,000 people. What was most troubling about the cyclone was that it made landfall at night, catching most of the residents unaware. Beyond high-speed winds, the hurricane formed a 13-foot storm surge, sweeping the coastal areas and triggering heavy rainfall and flooding. The majority of the people who died from the cyclone did so due to drowning, and they didn’t have much time to evacuate. After the collapse, there were significant infrastructure collapses and disease outbreaks.
9. Typhoon Nina – China
- Date: August 1975
- Estimated Death Toll: 26,000 (plus ~100,000 from dam failures)
Typhoon Nina was not a single natural disaster but a culmination of two. This dual disaster in China started with the initial cyclone, which later led to the collapse of the Banqiao and Shimantan dams due to excess rainfall, further adding to the damage and devastation. Around 26,000 people reportedly died from the direct impacts of the storm, but over 100,000 people died from dam failures. This, in turn, also led to disease and famine in the months after.
10. The 1897 Bengal Cyclone – India
Date: October 24, 1897
Estimated Death Toll: 20,000+
Hitting the Bengal Presidency, the 1897 Bengal Cyclone is another powerful cyclone that hit parts of modern-day Bangladesh and West Bengal. The cyclone started with a mighty wind, which was later accompanied by a storm surge that destroyed thousands of huts and villages. Furthermore, agricultural lands were inundated, leading to crop failure and famine. The impact of this particular storm wasn’t as devastating as the Bhola or Coringa cyclones, but it had a regional influence, which explains why it is still talked about to this day.
11. Typhoon Haiyan – Philippines
- Date: November 8, 2013
- Estimated Death Toll: 6,300 (official)
Locally, Typhoon Haiyan is known as Typhoon Yolanda and is one of the most intense tropical cyclones ever recorded, with wind speeds exceeding 300 km/h at landfall. After landfall, the storm devastated the city of Tacloban and affected over 14 million people across 44 provinces. During the cyclone, a storm surge of around 7 meters occurred, sweeping out the coastal communities and killing thousands of people. While forecasts and predictions were involved, the sheer intensity of the winds overwhelmed the response systems.
Confused by storm terms? Find out the key differences between a hurricane, tropical storm, and tropical depression.
12. The 1977 Andhra Pradesh Cyclone – India
- Date: November 19, 1977
- Estimated Death Toll: 10,000
With around 220 km/hr, the 1977 Andhra Pradesh cyclone hit the coastal regions of Andhra Pradesh, leading to mass destruction of the land. Due to the cyclone, around 10,000 people lost their lives, primarily due to the storm surge and the collapsing structures around. Not just people, thousands of cattle also died, and the paddy crops in the close vicinity were wiped out entirely. The cyclone destroyed hectares of land. This cyclone highlighted India’s pressing need for a centralised disaster management authority.
13. Cyclone Sidr – Bangladesh
- Date: November 15, 2007
- Estimated Death Toll: 3,500–15,000
Cyclone Sidr made landfall in southwestern parts of Bangladesh as a Category 5 storm, with a speed of around 260 km/hr. Extensive evacuation efforts were in place, but it still resulted in thousands of deaths and displaced millions. The damage to the Sundarbans mangrove forest also had long-term ecological consequences. Beyond the damage and destruction, one thing about this cyclone was that Bangladesh’s early warning system was heavily praised, which was one of the reasons that saved thousands.
14. The 2005 Hurricane Katrina – USA
- Date: August 29, 2005
- Estimated Death Toll: 1,833
Another one of the most destructive tropical cyclones was Hurricane Katrina in 2005. It was reportedly one of the “costliest hurricanes” in U.S. history. Striking the Gulf Coast, especially New Orleans, Katrina caused levees to fail and 80% of the city to flood. Despite warnings, poor coordination between local, state, and federal agencies delayed rescue efforts. The hurricane caused over $125 billion in damage. The death toll and the damages also raised several questions around the state’s and the country’s emergency preparedness.
15. Cyclone Idai – Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Malawi
- Date: March 14, 2019
- Estimated Death Toll: 1,300+
Hitting land near Beira, Mozambique, and tore through parts of Zimbabwe and Malawi, Cyclone Idai is another one of the worst hit cyclones in history. The cyclone brought with it wind speed of 175 km/h, torrential downpour and widespread flooding. This, in turn, led to the displacement of over 400,000 people to ensure their safety. As much as entire towns were submerged under water after the cyclone and some of the vital infrastructure including roads, hospitals, and power stations was destroyed. The cyclone also led to significant cholera outbreaks in the local regions.
Final Words
The tragic legacy and history of these tropical cyclones truly make us understand how destructive and raw nature can be. Nature holds the ultimate power, one that truly reflects our vulnerability as humans. However, the history of these tropical cyclones also helps us understand the importance of early warning systems, evacuation, and resilient infrastructure to keep the damage and casualties to a minimum.
