Today, April 29, marks the anniversary of the catastrophic 1991 super cyclone "Marien," a day etched in the memory of Bangladesh's coastal residents as a time of profound loss and mourning.

Decades later, the trauma remains so deep that news of any impending storm still brings sleepless nights to those living along the shoreline.

A Night of Unprecedented Devastation
On the midnight of April 29, 1991, a massive tidal surge—ranging from 12 to 20 feet in height—battered 19 coastal districts, including Cox's Bazar, Chittagong, Noakhali, Barisal, Patuakhali, and Barguna.

According to official government records, the disaster resulted in:

• Fatalities: 138,882 lives lost.
• Missing: 12,125 people.
• Injuries: 139,054 people.
• Displaced: Approximately 2 million people left homeless.
• Economic Impact: Estimated losses of 15,000 crore BDT, including the death of 70,000 livestock.

Non-governmental estimates suggest the actual death toll and financial damage were nearly double the official figures.

Total Infrastructure Collapse
The cyclone’s fury spared nothing. In Chittagong, a 100-ton crane at the port was uprooted and shattered.

Numerous domestic and international ships—including vessels belonging to the Navy and Air Force—were destroyed or went missing.

The second Shah Amanat Bridge over the Karnaphuli River collapsed, and concrete embankments along the riverbanks were completely washed away.

Thirteen upazilas, including Anwara, Banshkhali, Sandwip, Kutubdia, and Maheshkhali, were almost entirely submerged under the surging waters.

35 Years Later: The Call for Permanent Protection
As the 35th anniversary of this tragedy approaches, the cries of those who lost their families have not faded.

While some reconstruction has occurred, coastal residents continue to demand the completion of permanent, sustainable embankments to secure their homes and lives.

For many, the "Great Disaster" of 1991 serves as a permanent reminder of the vulnerability of the coast and the urgent need for robust maritime defenses.