Compair: Cyclon [work]

You can adapt the template to compare any two cyclones (e.g., Katrina vs. Sandy, or Idai vs. Freddy) by swapping the names and stats. When comparing cyclones, meteorologists look at three things: raw power (wind speed), human impact (death toll), and economic cost . The Bay of Bengal has produced two bookends of disaster — Cyclone Bhola (1970) and Cyclone Amphan (2020). One represents the worst death toll in modern history; the other, the most expensive storm ever recorded in the North Indian Ocean. 1. The Basics: Category vs. Casualties | Metric | Cyclone Bhola (1970) | Cyclone Amphan (2020) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Date | November 12, 1970 | May 20, 2020 | | Formation | Central Bay of Bengal | Central Bay of Bengal | | Landfall | East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) | West Bengal (India) & Bangladesh | | Max Wind Speed | 185 km/h (115 mph) | 260 km/h (160 mph) | | Storm Surge | 10 meters (33 feet) | 5 meters (16 feet) | | Category Equivalent | Cat 3-4 (Tropical Cyclone) | Cat 5 (Super Cyclone) |

Bhola hit at spring tide (highest tide of the month) during a full moon. Amphan hit during a neap tide (low tidal range). If Amphan had struck during a spring tide, the surge might have reached 7-8m, doubling the death toll. 4. Economic Impact (Adjusted for Inflation) | Cyclone | Estimated Damage (at time) | 2025 Adjusted Damage | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Bhola (1970) | $86 million USD | ~$650 million | | Amphan (2020) | $13–15 billion USD | ~$16 billion | compair cyclon