Early warnings from weather agencies and better preparedness by local governments and aid agencies likely saved thousands of lives during a powerful cyclone that slammed into Bangladesh and Myanmar over the weekend.
But there are concerns about a large number of people still unaccounted for in areas where preparations were lacking.
In Bangladesh, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said more than 700,000 people were moved to cyclone shelters or makeshift facilities including schools and mosques. “We have tried our best to pass on all the information we collect and our analysis to authorities in the coastal regions where the cyclone eventually hit,” Mohapatra said. The IMD issued updates on the cyclone every three hours over the past week.
Improving ways to warn people about extreme weather events is becoming increasingly important in South Asia — the world's most densely populated region and also among the most vulnerable to climate change. According to WMO, the number of extreme weather events increased fivefold between 1970 and 2019. Economic losses increased even more -– by a factor of seven. However, thanks to improved early warning and disaster risk reduction strategies, the number of deaths fell to 40% of the 1970 level.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Cyclone Mocha slams Myanmar and Bangladesh, but few deaths reported thanks to mass-evacuationsHundreds of thousands of people in vulnerable, low-lying areas of Myanmar and Bangladesh were evacuated ahead of the storm, likely saving many lives.
Read more »
Early reports of 'extensive damage' as Cyclone Mocha hits Myanmar's coast | CNNOne of the strongest cyclones to ever hit Myanmar has cut communications to coastal areas as aid groups warn that early reports suggest the damage is 'extensive.'
Read more »
Bangladesh rocked by power cuts as deadly cyclone hits gas supplyBangladesh faced its worst power cuts in over seven months as a deadly storm forced both its floating liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals shut, less than a month after a scorching heatwave caused widespread outages in the south Asian country.
Read more »
Bangladesh rocked by power cuts as cyclone hits gas supplyBangladesh faced its worst power cuts in over seven months as a deadly storm forced the closure of both its floating liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals, less than a month after a scorching heatwave caused widespread outages in the south Asian country.
Read more »
Cyclone Mocha makes landfall in Myanmar as groups gear up for nationwide, large-scale emergency responseThousands are hunkering down in monasteries, pagodas and schools, seeking shelter from a powerful storm that slammed into the coast of Myanmar. At least three people have been reported killed.
Read more »