Aid officials hoped the country's experience with natural disasters would help people respond to Sidr.

CNN: Thousands homeless after cyclone hits Bangladesh

Bangladesh, low-lying and with isolated villages, is extremely susceptible to the storm surge Sidr is expected to bring.

CNN: Thousands homeless after cyclone hits Bangladesh

Sidr's powerful winds and lashing rain uprooted trees, leveled homes and even damaged buildings where residents sought shelter.

CNN: Cyclone death toll soars to 1,000

Its early warning system was also bolstered following Cyclone Sidr in 2007 and Aila in 2009, which killed a total of 4, 300 people.

WSJ: Cyclone Mahasen Hits Myanmar, Bangladesh

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department estimated Thursday that Sidr would cause a storm surge of 15 to 20 feet above normal tides for some lower coastal areas.

CNN: Thousands homeless after cyclone hits Bangladesh

Sidr had weakened significantly by the time it reached eastern India Friday night -- but the hard-hit areas could flood again late in the weekend, a forecaster said.

CNN: Cyclone death toll soars to 1,000