LONDON: An appalling disclosure that meteorological authorities in East Pakistan ignored repeated warnings from American weather satellite of gathering cyclone in Bay of Bengal was made tonight [Nov 19] in a BBC Television programme.

US weather satellite first took pictures of gathering cyclone on Nov 6 and a warning that it was of dangerous proportions was conveyed to Pakistani meteorological authorities on Nov 7. As gathering cyclone became more menacing, the US weather administration repeated warnings to Pakistan on each successive day until Nov 13.

This astounding revelation on BBC programme “24 Hours” coming as it does following Pakistan newspaper reports early this week about alterations in method of weather forecasts which confused people in cyclone-stricken areas is a very serious reflection indeed on meteorological authorities concerned. — Correspondent

[Meanwhile, as reported by agencies in Islamabad,] President Yahya Khan has declared Friday [Nov 20] a day of national mourning…. The President has further directed the Pakistan Flag on all Government buildings will be flown at half-mast. Special prayers will be offered in memory of the victims.

Published in Dawn, November 20th, 2020