Eighteen years have passed since Super Cyclone Sidr struck Bangladesh’s southern coast on 15 November 2007, leaving behind devastation that still affects thousands of coastal families.

Striking at nightfall with winds exceeding 240 km/h, Sidr tore through 12 coastal districts, killing thousands of people and animals, flattening homes, and destroying vast stretches of cropland and forest. Entire villages were washed away as the cyclone’s massive storm surge swept through Barguna, Patuakhali, Bagerhat, and Pirojpur, the worst-hit districts.

The cyclone also caused severe destruction in Jhalakathi, Satkhira, Khulna, Gopalganj, Madaripur, Shariatpur, Barishal, and Bhola, leaving schools, roads, embankments, and other infrastructure in ruins.

Official figures report that Sidr claimed 3,406 lives, left 1,003 people missing, and severely injured another 55,000. Thousands of hectares of farmland were destroyed, trees uprooted, and countless families lost their livelihoods.

Many coastal residents say they have yet to fully recover from the economic and emotional losses caused by one of the deadliest cyclones in Bangladesh’s history. UNB Patuakhali correspondent reports that even 18 years later, many embankments in the district remain unprotected, and adequate cyclone shelters have not been constructed in all char regions.

In Patuakhali alone, some 677 people were killed and 50 others went missing during the cyclone. Nearly 8,500 people were injured, including around 2,000 who have become disabled. Approximately 500,000 acres of cropland were destroyed, while 55,000 establishments—including 351 educational institutions and 1,500 religious sites—suffered damage.

Nearly 250 hectares of forest were destroyed, and 18,000 livestock perished during the cyclone. Several kilometres of embankments, including 412 drainage sluices, were damaged, leaving the area vulnerable to future disasters.

Coastal communities continue to face challenges in rebuilding livelihoods and ensuring safety, highlighting the urgent need for improved disaster preparedness and infrastructure in the region.