| Cyclone Sidr leaves a Valley of Death |
 Tropical Cyclone Sidr, packing winds of about 149 mph (240 kilometers per hour), the furious cyclone swept across the Bay of Bengal, in southern Bangladesh late Thursday (15th Nov) downed trees, sent mobile telephone towers crashing, caused thousands to abandon theihomes and swept away mud and thatch houses.The death toll of the cyclone is feared to hit 10,000. The cyclone is one of the worst natural disasters to hit Bangladesh in recent time.
Cyclone Sidr's eye crossed the Khulna-Barisal coast near the Sundarbans mangrove forests around 9:30 p.m. (4:30pm GMT), the Bangladesh Meteorological Department said. It was centered over the Baleshwar River in Barguna district. In the coastal districts of Bagerhat, Barisal and Bhola, residents said the storm flattened thousands of flimsy straw and mud huts, and uprooted trees and electric poles.
The trail of devastation left by the cyclone is only just being realized as experts fear the death toll may hit 10,000. Survivors of the cyclone share their horror experience with the relief groups who are searching frantically for lives and other belongings in the ‘valley of death’. International organizations have deployed their support to Bangladesh for a speedy rehabilitation of the disaster struck areas.
Cyclone Death Toll may hit 10,000 – CBS News, 19th Nov
Bangladesh Cyclone Death Toll Now 1,723 – CBS News, 17th Nov
17th Nov –BBC News (in pictures)
16th Nov - International Herald Tribune
15th Nov - CNN World
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
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