Calcutta Cyclone (1737)

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The 1737 Calcutta Cyclone, also known as the Hooghly River Cyclone or the Great Bengal Cyclone, was a devastating natural disaster that occurred on October 11, 1737. It made landfall in the Ganges River Delta, just south of Calcutta (now Kolkata), India. The cyclone was categorized as a super cyclonic storm, with winds reaching speeds of up to 270 km/h (165 mph) and a storm surge of 10-13 meters (30-40 feet) in the Ganges River. This massive surge caused widespread destruction and loss of life, particularly at sea, where numerous ships sank. The cyclone is estimated to have killed over 300,000 people, although some sources question this figure given Calcutta's relatively small population at the time. The cyclone destroyed nearly all structures in Calcutta, including mud and brick buildings, and severely damaged the St. Anne's Church. Approximately 20,000 vessels were destroyed, ranging from large ships to canoes. The impact was felt far inland, with the cyclone traveling about 330 km (200 miles) before dissipating. It remains one of the deadliest natural disasters in Indian history.