LONDON: Broadcasting on Sunday [Jan 10] night Sir Azizul Hugue, the High Commissioner for India, said: Against the grim catastrophe of a world war, a disaster in a distant part of the world might well pass almost unnoticed, but many of us may remember reports on the radio and in the Press of the most grievous disaster which during the month of October overtook the people of Bengal. Details which could not immediately be published for security reasons have now been received.

It appears a cyclone of abnormal violence swept the south-western part of Bengal. A tidal wave, in place as much as 26 feet high, was swept up by the force of the cyclone and broke into the mainland and devastated a considerable area of the province. Over 3,000 square miles are affected by the disaster. At least 11,000 people lost their lives. Some 7,000 peasant dwellings were destroyed, 7,000 head of cattle perished and entire crops were devastated.

Loss and suffering beyond estimation was caused to over a million persons.

An eye witness visiting the stricken area almost immediately after says: Houses fell as though made of paper. Iron roofs stripped clean off were hurled into the narrow streets and crushed many to death. Trees were uprooted and blown away like straw. Village after village once populous showed no sign of human habitation. In one village, only a single person had survived out of a population of 150 and in another, 132 families from136 had been completely wiped out. Dawn Delhi