Photo : BSS

CHATTOGRAM, April 29, 2025 (BSS) - Though awareness has increased and both digital and physical communication infrastructures have improved, residents of the vast coastal region still recall the devastation caused by the super cyclone that struck the shoreline on April 29, 1991.

According to official records, between 135,000 and 145,000 people lost their lives, while unofficial estimates put the death toll at around 200,000. The cyclone rendered nearly two million people homeless along the disaster-prone coastal belt stretching from Cox's Bazar to Patuakhali, leaving behind massive destruction of property and livestock in what remains the deadliest cyclone in the country's history.

On the 34th anniversary of the super cyclone, various socio-cultural organizations in Chattogram and other coastal areas arranged programs, including doa mahfil, discussion meetings, rallies, and photo exhibitions, recalling the horrors and haunting memories of that day.

In the discussions and rallies, speakers and relatives of the victims called upon the government to devise a sustainable cyclone and tidal surge preparedness plan and to ensure the availability of modern logistical support to face such critical natural disasters in both vulnerable coastal belts and high-risk plain lands in the future.

The organizations that arranged separate doa and discussion meetings to remember the day included Upokulio Unnyon Foundation, Sandwip Association, Patenga Anti-Social Resistance Committee, Anwara Samity, and Kutubdia Samity Chattogram.

Special prayers for the deceased, feeding the destitute, holding of milad, commemoration meetings, photo exhibitions, and lighting of candles in memory of those who were killed were the highlights of the day's programs.

In memory of the terrible cyclone 'Mary Ann', the Chattogram Press Club organized a photography exhibition this morning.

A total of 50 photographs were displayed in the exhibition, briefly depicting scenes and the extent of devastation, along with tragic images of the ill-fated victims of the 1991 cyclone.

While describing a photo titled 'Crab Feast', elderly photographer Shishir Barua said, "I saw a body completely destroyed by a group of red crabs in 45 minutes."

"I captured that horrific image with my camera. I captured the horror of '91, risking my life. I still feel pain when I see those memories," he added.

He requested the authorities concerned to take appropriate steps to preserve those rare photos for the sake of keeping the history of the natural disaster alive.

Speaking as the chief guest at the event, City Mayor Dr. Shahadat Hossain said, "We have no alternative to adopting time-befitting cyclone preparedness programs and building sustainable embankments to protect the lives and properties of people living in vulnerable coastal areas."

"Simultaneously, we need to enrich our overall environment by planting a large number of trees," he said, adding that efforts are underway to plant one million saplings in 41 wards of the city.

Chattogram Press Club Member Secretary Zahidul Karim Kochi presided over the function, while Chattogram Metropolitan Union of Journalists President Mohammad Shah Nowaz, General Secretary Saleh Noman, photo exhibition sub-committee convener Golam Maula Murad, and photojournalists Shishir Barua and Rupam Chakraborty, among others, attended the function.

Upokulio Unnyon Foundation also organized a discussion meeting in the city marking the day.

Amra Sandwipbasi and Coast Trust organized separate rallies in front of the Chattogram Press Club to commemorate the victims of the April 29, 1991 cyclone.