Deadliest Cyclones (2010-2016): Origin, Countries affected, Damages & Mitigation Measures
The
episodic, destructive, and high-energy tropical cyclones always come with high
winds in the storm eye which can alter the ecosystem and can affect the lives
of millions. The devasting cyclonic storms over the period of 7 years
are:
Tropical Cyclone “Jal” in 2010
Different meteorological agencies such as Japan Meteorological Agency
(JMA), Joint Typhoon Warning Centre (JTWC), and Thai and Malaysian
Meteorological Departments (TMD and MMD) have reported the concurrent
disturbances in the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean during Oct 2010 which initiated
the Cyclone “Jal” and was declared as severe Cyclonic storm of North
Indian Ocean cyclone season by the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The
cyclone was formed on Nov 1, 2010, in a low-pressure area of the South China
sea and dissolute on Nov 12, 2010. The recorded lowest pressure was around 988
hPa (mbar) and the highest sustained winds in a range of 36-75 km/h were created
due to the relaxation stage cyclone response and inertial gravity oscillations which
caused wind stress curling followed by severe and persistent rainfall and high
humidity of 90% in the regions of Malaysia, Malay Peninsula, Andaman Islands,
Sri Lanka, Borneo, Brunei, and India. The relative temperature difference of 4 degrees
centigrade between the sea surface temperature and the air temperature was
observed because of intense rainfall causing increased wind speed and high heat
exchange rate (Sensible Heat Flux). The cyclone 118 fatalities were reported during
10 days and affected around 3-4 Lakhs of people due to the consequential
damages.
Thailand reported 59 fatalities and around $1.676 billion of
damage and economic loss due to the cyclonic depression. The government agencies,
private agencies, NGOs, and the Thai embassy rescued many flash flood victims
and supplied food packages and donations.
Malaysia suffered a loss of 4 people during the flood and heavy
rainfall. The cyclone and flood contaminated the water supply and treatment
plant. In addition, the Federal government reported a loss of 45,000 hectares
of paddy fields and many submerged agricultural fields. The local and central
governments have taken the responsibility for flood-affected victims.
India reported 54 fatalities due to flooding and mudslides. The
National Disaster Response Force and various rescue and relief fund administrations
have taken the responsibility to rescue victims. The loss of economy was
reported in terms of flight cancellation and washed off of the crops over an
area of 3 Lakhs hectares. The total economic loss was calculated as $53.55
million by the Government database. The heaviest rainfall was recorded by Sri
Lankan Meteorological Department as 443 mm due to the cyclonic wind flow in Sri
Lanka. Around 80,000 were affected and rescued by the Navy and Airforce.
Tropical
Cyclone “Phailin” in 2013
The cyclonic storm first occurred as a Tropical Depression in Oct 2013 in the South China Sea as per the Japan Meteorological Department and United States JTWC. The tropical depression emerged as an extremely severe cyclonic storm in the Bay of Bengal on Oct 10 as reported by IMD and was named “Phailin”. The cyclone was the most intense cyclone after the 1999 Odisha Cyclone affecting the regions of the Malay Peninsula, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India, Myanmar, and Nepal from Oct 8 to Oct 14, 2013. The cyclone was also referred as a category 4 hurricane according to the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale (SSHWS). The Cyclone brought torrential rainfall of 221.6 mm with a wind flow range of 83 Km/h to 213 km/hr causing a sustained maximum speed of 215 km/hr. The storm surge of up to 3.5 m with a central pressure of 940 mbar affected the eastern and northeastern Indian states, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. The cyclonic storms and floods affected around 13.2 million people and caused damage of around 4.26 billion and 44 fatalities in the state of Odisha. The damages were reported for schools, crop fields forest areas, and aquaculture farms. The Early Warning Systems (EWS) and preparedness of Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA) along with the Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) and the International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC) promoted early evacuations of around 1.2 million people creating a history of the largest evacuation operation in India in 23 years. The Odisha state government’s inception in 2011 and the proposed World Bank National Cyclone Mitigation Project of $255 million helped in disaster preparedness which includes shelter planning, evacuation drills, strengthening embankments, and building shelters. In addition, to distribute food and safe water, the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, NGOs, and National Disaster Response Forces (NDRF) have participated in relief efforts. Followed the same, 134,426 people were evacuated from low-lying areas and storm-affected areas in the state of Andhra Pradesh causing 1 death and around $8.2 million in damages. The other states of India (Jharkhand, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, and Bihar) and Nepal faced a torrential heavy rainfall of 74.6 mm for the Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm, Phailin.
Tropical
Cyclone “Hudhud” in 2014
Like that of cyclone Phailin in 2013, “Hudhud “appeared in the same month of Oct 2014. The cyclone originated from an upper air vortex formation due to low pressure in the Tenasserim coast and the adjoining North Andaman Sea and entered the Bay of Bengal as per the IMD, Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert (TCFA), and Joint Typhoon Warning Centre (JWTC). The maximum wind speed was recorded as 260 km/h with a minimum pressure of 950 mbar. The cyclonic storm was classified as Extreme Severe Cyclonic Storm by IMD from Oct 7-Oct 14, 2014. The cyclone damaged extensively the eastern Indian states and Nepal. The cyclonic eye of 66 Km in diameter caused a loss worth $3.58 billion and reported 124 fatalities. The NDRF of India and Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA) have taken the responsibility to rescue cyclone victims from Andhra Pradesh and Odisha and evacuated around 7 lakhs people. Still, the state of Andhra Pradesh reported 61 fatalities and damages worth $3.58 billion which includes industries, croplands, vehicles, and houses. The cyclone Hudhud is also referred as the 2014 Nepal storm disaster as the heavy torrential rainfall killed 43 mountain climbers and guides.
Tropical
Cyclone “Roanu” in 2016
The cyclonic storm emerged as a deep depression from Sri Lanka on May 13,
2016, and followed the northeastern coastline with heavy rainfall in
Bangladesh. The storm continued till May 22, 2016, in the countries, Sri Lanka,
Coastal India States, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Yunnan with a 3-minute sustained
wind speed of 85 km/h and the lowest pressure of 983 mbar during the phase as reported
by IMD, which outlined damage accounting for $2.13 billion and reported 135 fatalities
and 99 registered missing cases. The National Building Research Organization (NBRO),
The Sri Lankan Disaster Management Centre, and the Minister of Disaster Management
in Sri Lanka tracked the storm and rescued 2 Lakhs lives from low-lying
areas. The death toll has risen to 104 with 99 missing people and reported
damage worth $2 billion. India witnessed a moderate to heavy rainfall of
93-174 mm over the last 20 years in the states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh,
and Odisha during the cyclonic storm. The NDRF teams, Andhra Pradesh government,
Government of Odisha, and IMD have taken initiatives to rescue flood-affected people.
A storm surges of up to 2 m was reported
in Bangladesh causing 26 deaths and a damage value of $127 million including
livestock, aquaculture, and fish culture farms.
Tropical
Cyclone “Vardah” in 2016
The very severe cyclonic storm “Vardah” occurred into a depression
with a maximum sustained wind flow rate of 130 km/h and a minimum pressure of
975hPa in the Arabian sea affecting the coasts of Andaman and Nicobar Islands,
Southern States of India, and Somalia. The cyclone devised its form on Dec 6
and dissipated on Dec 19, 2016, causing fatalities and damage over the regions
of Malaysia, Thailand, Andaman and Nicobar, South India, Sri Lanka, and Somalia.
The moderate to heavy inundated rainfall of around 300 mm caused 21 fatalities
and an economical loss of $25 million in Thailand. Southern India
witnessed heavy torrential rainfall and consequent floods of 167 mm causing the
death of 45 people (21 in Andaman and Nicobar + 24 in Tamil Nādu) and damages
worth $3.35 billion. The Indian Armed forces, warships, and NDRF had taken the responsibility
to rescue victims of the cyclonic storm.
