1990 Andhra Pradesh cyclone
Encyclopedia
The 1990 Andhra Pradesh cyclone (IMD
Designation: BOB01, JTWC
Designation: 02B) was the worst disaster to affect Southern India since the 1977 Andhra Pradesh cyclone
. The cyclone formed as a tropical disturbance early on May 4, 1990 while moving towards the northwest. During the next day the depression intensified into a cyclonic storm and started to intensify rapidly, becoming a super cyclonic storm early on May 8. The cyclone weakened slightly before it made landfall on India about 300 km (190 mi) to the north of Madras in the Andhra Pradesh
state as a very severe cyclonic storm with winds of 165 km/h (105 mph). While over land the cyclone gradually dissipated. The cyclone had a severe impact on India, with over 967 people reported to have been killed. Over 100,000 animals also died in the cyclone with the total cost of damages to crops estimated at over $ (1990 USD).
(JTWC) reported that a tropical disturbance had formed in the Bay of Bengal
about 800 km (500 mi) to the east of Sri Lanka
. The disturbance was then designated as Depression BOB 01 early the next day by the India Meteorological Department
. A tropical cyclone formation alert
was issued by the JTWC while the cyclone was moving towards the northwest under the influence of a subtropical ridge
. The depression was then upgraded to a cyclonic storm early on May 5 before being designated as Tropical Cyclone 02B later that day with winds equivalent to that of a weak tropical storm.
Although the cyclone had a good outflow
, the JTWC expected the system to make landfall in Tamil Nadu
within 72 hours and intensify only marginally. However, as the cyclone turned towards the northwest, a weakness in the subtropical ridge allowed the system to turn to more to the north than initially anticipated. As a result, the cyclone stayed offshore longer and rapidly strengthened; it became a very severe cyclonic storm early on May 6 as it had winds equivalent to a hurricane.
Over the next couple of days the cyclone intensified further, becoming a super cyclonic storm on May 8 with both 3-minute and 1-minute peak wind speeds of 240 km/h (150 mph). These winds correspond to Category 4 status on the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale. After reaching peak intensity, the storm weakened later that day into a very severe cyclonic storm as it moved closer to land. At 1200 UTC on May 9, the cyclone made landfall about 300 km (190 mi) to the north of Madras, in the vicinity of Machilipatnam
, in Andra Pradesh state as a very severe cyclonic storm with winds of 165 km/h (105 mph). While over land, the cyclone gradually weakened into a depression, and the IMD reported that it had dissipated early on May 10.
.
On Edurumandi Island over 7,000 people were left stranded after they refused to evacuate. The island itself was reported to have experienced the full brunt of the system. However, all of the residents reportedly sought protection within a shelter provided by the government. The cyclone had a significant effect on India, with storm surge tides as high as 4.9 meters (16 ft) above normal. Consequently, over 100 villages were submerged in water and destroyed. At least 967 people were killed by the cyclone; most of the deaths occurred when houses made mostly out of mud and straw collapsed. Other people were killed when electrical wires were knocked down and while some people were carried away by flooded rivers. The storm left at least 3 million people homeless, while over 100,000 farm animals were killed. At least 435000 acres (1,760.4 km²) of rice paddies were destroyed along with huge tracts of mango and banana trees. The total damage to crops and property was estimated at over $ (1990 USD). The cyclone was described as the worst disaster in southern India since the 1977 storm. Sea water contaminated fresh drinking wells, prompting warnings about outbreaks of Cholera and Typhoid as many people were drinking and cooking with water from the drains which was causing stomach disorders.
On May 11, two days after the cyclone had hit, the Indian Government launched a massive relief and rescue operation. The Indian Army and Naval helicopters took surveys of areas affected by the cyclone, and also dropped food packets. Although the Indian Government did not request international assistance, the Red Cross provided food, oil, medicines and water tanks for the affected families; the wcc/cicarws issued an appeal for $ (1990 USD) so they could provide immediate needs with World Vision providing $ (1990 USD) for food blankets and utensils.
India Meteorological Department
The India Meteorological Department , also referred to as the Met Office, is an agency of the Ministry of Earth Sciences of the Government of India. It is the principal agency responsible for meteorological observations, weather forecasting and seismology...
Designation: BOB01, JTWC
Joint Typhoon Warning Center
The Joint Typhoon Warning Center is a joint United States Navy – United States Air Force task force located at the Naval Maritime Forecast Center in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii...
Designation: 02B) was the worst disaster to affect Southern India since the 1977 Andhra Pradesh cyclone
1977 Andhra Pradesh cyclone
The 1977 Andhra Pradesh cyclone was a devastating cyclone that struck in the entire state of Andhra Pradesh and neighbouring states on November 19, 1977. It was one of the worst cyclonic storm to hit the Indian shores. A total of 14,204 people were confirmed to have been killed; however, some...
. The cyclone formed as a tropical disturbance early on May 4, 1990 while moving towards the northwest. During the next day the depression intensified into a cyclonic storm and started to intensify rapidly, becoming a super cyclonic storm early on May 8. The cyclone weakened slightly before it made landfall on India about 300 km (190 mi) to the north of Madras in the Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh , is one of the 28 states of India, situated on the southeastern coast of India. It is India's fourth largest state by area and fifth largest by population. Its capital and largest city by population is Hyderabad.The total GDP of Andhra Pradesh is $100 billion and is ranked third...
state as a very severe cyclonic storm with winds of 165 km/h (105 mph). While over land the cyclone gradually dissipated. The cyclone had a severe impact on India, with over 967 people reported to have been killed. Over 100,000 animals also died in the cyclone with the total cost of damages to crops estimated at over $ (1990 USD).
Meteorological history
Early on May 3, 1990, the Joint Typhoon Warning CenterJoint Typhoon Warning Center
The Joint Typhoon Warning Center is a joint United States Navy – United States Air Force task force located at the Naval Maritime Forecast Center in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii...
(JTWC) reported that a tropical disturbance had formed in the Bay of Bengal
Bay of Bengal
The Bay of Bengal , the largest bay in the world, forms the northeastern part of the Indian Ocean. It resembles a triangle in shape, and is bordered mostly by the Eastern Coast of India, southern coast of Bangladesh and Sri Lanka to the west and Burma and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to the...
about 800 km (500 mi) to the east of Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
. The disturbance was then designated as Depression BOB 01 early the next day by the India Meteorological Department
India Meteorological Department
The India Meteorological Department , also referred to as the Met Office, is an agency of the Ministry of Earth Sciences of the Government of India. It is the principal agency responsible for meteorological observations, weather forecasting and seismology...
. A tropical cyclone formation alert
Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert
A Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert is a bulletin released by the U.S. Navy-operated Joint Typhoon Warning Center in Honolulu, Hawaii or the Naval Maritime Forecast Center in Norfolk, Virginia, warning of the possibility of a tropical cyclone forming from a tropical disturbance that has been...
was issued by the JTWC while the cyclone was moving towards the northwest under the influence of a subtropical ridge
Subtropical ridge
The subtropical ridge is a significant belt of high pressure situated around the latitudes of 30°N in the Northern Hemisphere and 30°S in the Southern Hemisphere. It is characterized by mostly calm winds, which acts to reduce air quality under its axis by causing fog overnight, and haze during...
. The depression was then upgraded to a cyclonic storm early on May 5 before being designated as Tropical Cyclone 02B later that day with winds equivalent to that of a weak tropical storm.
Although the cyclone had a good outflow
Outflow
Outflow may refer to:*Capital outflow - an economic term describing capital flowing out of a particular economy.*Bipolar outflow in astronomy represents two continuous flows of gas from the poles of a star....
, the JTWC expected the system to make landfall in Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Pondicherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh...
within 72 hours and intensify only marginally. However, as the cyclone turned towards the northwest, a weakness in the subtropical ridge allowed the system to turn to more to the north than initially anticipated. As a result, the cyclone stayed offshore longer and rapidly strengthened; it became a very severe cyclonic storm early on May 6 as it had winds equivalent to a hurricane.
Over the next couple of days the cyclone intensified further, becoming a super cyclonic storm on May 8 with both 3-minute and 1-minute peak wind speeds of 240 km/h (150 mph). These winds correspond to Category 4 status on the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale. After reaching peak intensity, the storm weakened later that day into a very severe cyclonic storm as it moved closer to land. At 1200 UTC on May 9, the cyclone made landfall about 300 km (190 mi) to the north of Madras, in the vicinity of Machilipatnam
Machilipatnam
Machilipatnam is a city and a special grade municipality in the Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh, India. It is located south east of state capital, Hyderabad.-History:...
, in Andra Pradesh state as a very severe cyclonic storm with winds of 165 km/h (105 mph). While over land, the cyclone gradually weakened into a depression, and the IMD reported that it had dissipated early on May 10.
Impact and aftermath
As a result of timely warnings issued by the IMD, the Indian government was able to launch an evacuation campaign and order that all fisherman return to shore. This led to more than 150,000 people being evacuated to relief camps which had been set up on higher ground. Due to the thorough preparations, there was fewer deaths than in the 1977 Andhra Pradesh cyclone1977 Andhra Pradesh cyclone
The 1977 Andhra Pradesh cyclone was a devastating cyclone that struck in the entire state of Andhra Pradesh and neighbouring states on November 19, 1977. It was one of the worst cyclonic storm to hit the Indian shores. A total of 14,204 people were confirmed to have been killed; however, some...
.
On Edurumandi Island over 7,000 people were left stranded after they refused to evacuate. The island itself was reported to have experienced the full brunt of the system. However, all of the residents reportedly sought protection within a shelter provided by the government. The cyclone had a significant effect on India, with storm surge tides as high as 4.9 meters (16 ft) above normal. Consequently, over 100 villages were submerged in water and destroyed. At least 967 people were killed by the cyclone; most of the deaths occurred when houses made mostly out of mud and straw collapsed. Other people were killed when electrical wires were knocked down and while some people were carried away by flooded rivers. The storm left at least 3 million people homeless, while over 100,000 farm animals were killed. At least 435000 acres (1,760.4 km²) of rice paddies were destroyed along with huge tracts of mango and banana trees. The total damage to crops and property was estimated at over $ (1990 USD). The cyclone was described as the worst disaster in southern India since the 1977 storm. Sea water contaminated fresh drinking wells, prompting warnings about outbreaks of Cholera and Typhoid as many people were drinking and cooking with water from the drains which was causing stomach disorders.
On May 11, two days after the cyclone had hit, the Indian Government launched a massive relief and rescue operation. The Indian Army and Naval helicopters took surveys of areas affected by the cyclone, and also dropped food packets. Although the Indian Government did not request international assistance, the Red Cross provided food, oil, medicines and water tanks for the affected families; the wcc/cicarws issued an appeal for $ (1990 USD) so they could provide immediate needs with World Vision providing $ (1990 USD) for food blankets and utensils.