Why was the Bhola cyclone of 1970 important to Bangladesh’s independence movement?

The Bhola cyclone of 1970 was a pivotal event in the movement for Bangladesh’s independence due to the central government's inadequate and indifferent response to the catastrophe.12

The storm, which claimed an estimated 300,000 to 500,000 lives, devastated East Pakistan. The central government in West Pakistan delayed relief operations and oversaw an uneven distribution of international aid, which reinforced long-standing perceptions of political neglect and discrimination among the people of East Pakistan.12

This failure to provide effective disaster relief significantly boosted support for the Awami League, which had been advocating for greater autonomy. The resulting public anger contributed to the party's victory in the 1970 general elections. When West Pakistani leaders subsequently nullified the election results and launched a military crackdown, the political unrest escalated into the Bangladesh Liberation War, ultimately leading to the country's independence in 1971.12