Quick Facts
- Also called:
- Great Backerganj Cyclone of 1876
- Date:
- October 31, 1876
Adding us as a Preferred Source tells Google you trust our content, so our articles show up more often in your Google Search, Discover feed, and AI Overviews.
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies.
Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Bengal cyclone of 1876
Also known as: Great Backerganj Cyclone of 1876
Bengal cyclone of 1876, deadly cyclone that struck Bangladesh (then part of the province of Bengal in British India) on Oct. 31, 1876, killing approximately 200,000 people.
The cyclone formed over the Bay of Bengal and made landfall at the Meghna River estuary. A high tide made the effects of the storm particularly deadly, and a storm surge of roughly 40 feet (12 metres) flooded the low-lying coastal areas. It is estimated that half of the deaths caused by the storm resulted from disease and starvation related to the flooding.
This article was most recently revised and updated by Heather Campbell.
Discover the fascinating events that shaped the world, straight from our editors.
By clicking “Sign Up”, you consent to the Britannica
Privacy Policy
and
Terms of Use.