Cyclone Aila
Severe Cyclonic Storm Aila (JTWC designation: 02B) was the second named tropical cyclone of the 2009 North Indian Ocean cyclone season. Warned by both the Regional Specialized Meteorological Center (RMSC) and Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC), Aila formed over a disturbance over the Bay of Bengal on May 23, 2009 and started to intensify and organize reaching sustained wind speeds of 110 kmh (70 mph). It was the worst natural disaster to affect Bangladesh since Cyclone Sidr in November 2007. A relatively strong tropical cyclone, it caused extensive damage in India and Bangladesh.
| Severe cyclonic storm (IMD scale) | |
|---|---|
| Category 1 tropical cyclone (SSHWS) | |
Severe Cyclonic Storm Aila at peak intensity | |
| Formed | May 25, 2009 |
| Dissipated | May 27, 2009 |
| Highest winds | 3-minute sustained: 110 km/h (70 mph) 1-minute sustained: 120 km/h (75 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 968 hPa (mbar); 28.59 inHg |
| Fatalities | 339 total |
| Damage | At least $1 billion (2009 USD) |
| Areas affected | India, Bangladesh |
| Part of the 2009 North Indian Ocean cyclone season | |
The storm was responsible for at least 339 deaths across Bangladesh and India; more than 1 million people were left homeless. Health officials in Bangladesh confirmed a deadly outbreak of diarrhea on 29 May, with more than 7,000 people being infected and four dying. In Bangladesh, an estimated 20 million people were at risk of post-disaster diseases due to Aila.