Loss of human lives induced by the Cyclone of 29–30 April, 1991 in Bangladesh

The 1991 Cyclone claimed more than 140,000 lives in Bangladesh. However, comparison of human casualty figures between the cyclones of 1970 and 1991 points to the effectiveness of cyclone shelters constructed after the 1970 disaster. Many inaccuracies of the regional data on social and natural circumstances affecting human losses, such as location of cyclone shelters, refuge-seeking behavior and poor population data are discussed. Based on field studies, comprehensive countermeasures are recommended, and it is mentioned that non-structural countermeasures are important to make structural ones more effective.