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The Kolkata Cyclone 1864: loss of life and its effects in Bengal, India

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Abstract

The great Kolkata Cyclone of 5 October 1864 is still felt in the hearts of people in Bengal after 158 years. Almost every year, the inhabitants of Bengal are frequently threatened by various types of cyclones. In the last three centuries, from 1737 to 2021, the people of Bengal have witnessed more than one hundred fifty cyclones, tornadoes, and typhoons. Cyclones that occurred in the Bay of Bengal in October of 1737, 1864, 1874, 1876, and 1942 were severe and caused great loss of life and property. But the Kolkata Cyclone on the 5 October 1864 was one of the deadliest cyclones of Bengal. It was also one of the most destructive cyclones in the world. The devastation of the cyclone was terrible. It appeared that the total loss of life by the cyclone in Bengal actually reported by competent authorities was not more than sixty thousand. The loss of life in the Bengal had been partially ascertained. This paper is a case study of a natural calamity that swept over the Bengal on 5 October 1864 with reference to broader questions relating to climate and human settlement. The most striking part of the description is the human casualties. Finally, it shows how the effects of this natural calamity devastated thousands of lives in then-Bengal.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Tarakali Vidyapith, Mahatabpur, Dist. Paschim Medinipur, West Bengal, PIN, Medinipur, –721101, India

    Atanu Mitra MA

  2. Aurobindanagar, West Bengal, 721101, Midnapore, India

    Atanu Mitra MA

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  1. Atanu Mitra MA
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I wrote the manuscript, provided data for Table 1, and reviewed the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Atanu Mitra MA.

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Mitra, A. The Kolkata Cyclone 1864: loss of life and its effects in Bengal, India. Theor Appl Climatol 153, 797–805 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00704-023-04464-7

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