Gradually intensifying as it had previously, the tropical cyclone reached peak intensity with winds of 125 mph (201 km/h) as it was making landfall near the Bangladesh–India border on November 29.

During November 1988, weather patterns over the Bay of Bengal were dominated by the winter monsoon, leading to lower atmospheric pressures over the region and the conglomeration of moisture across the area.

The genesis of the 1988 Bangladesh cyclone was preceded by floods that occurred over the Malay Peninsula as a result of a monsoon trough redeveloping over the region.

These developments caused satellite intensity estimates to increasingly indicate a stronger storm, which in turn prompted the JTWC to issue a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert at 18:30 UTC on November 23.

Shortly after reaching this strength, the cyclone began to curve northward, rounding the western periphery of a subtropical ridge centered over Indochina.

[1] At around 12:00 UTC on November 29, the tropical cyclone made landfall near the border between Bangladesh and West Bengal at the mouth of the Hooghly River.

[4] Beginning two days before landfall, Bangladesh state radio and television continuously broadcast warning signals urging the evacuation of endangered residents along coastal areas.

[5] The storm's worst impacts were concentrated in the coastal Bangladeshi districts of Bagerhat, Barguna, Bhola, Jessore, Khulna, Patuakhali and Satkhira, as well as the Sundarbans.

A 2 m (6.6 ft) storm surge inflicted significant damage along the Bangladeshi coast and forced the temporary closure of the Port of Mongla,[6] where nine were killed.

[11] Despite the high death toll, the Bangladeshi government stated that human casualties were minimized by efficient early warning systems.

In the capital city of Dhaka, debris and fallen trees caused by winds of up to 120 km/h (75 mph) resulted in both power outages and paralyzed traffic.

[18] Following the cyclone's passage, the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society began dispatching relief teams, food, and other supplies to impacted areas.

The Bangladesh Army and non-governmental organizations participated in both air- and water-borne relief operations, though inclement weather initially forced the suspension of several planned helicopter flights.