2003 North Indian Ocean cyclone season | |
---|---|
Seasonal boundaries | |
First system formed | May 10, 2003 |
Last system dissipated | December 16, 2003 |
Strongest storm | |
Name | BOB 01 |
• Maximum winds | 140 km/h (85 mph) (3-minute sustained) |
• Lowest pressure | 980 hPa (mbar) |
Seasonal statistics | |
Depressions | 7 |
Deep depressions | 5 |
Cyclonic storms | 3 |
Severe cyclonic storms | 3 |
Very severe cyclonic storms | 1 |
Total fatalities | 358 total |
Total damage | $163 million (2003 USD) |
Related articles | |
The 2003 North Indian Ocean cyclone season was the last season that tropical cyclones were not publicly labeled by India Meteorological Department (IMD). Also was mostly focused in the Bay of Bengal, where six of the seven depressions developed. The remaining system was a tropical cyclone that developed in the Arabian Sea in November, which was also the only system that did not affect land. There were three cyclonic storms, which was below the average of 4–6. Only one storm formed before the start of the monsoon season in June, although it was also the most notable. On May 10, a depression formed in the central Bay of Bengal, and within a few days became a very severe cyclonic storm. After it stalled, it drew moisture from the southwest to produce severe flooding across Sri Lanka, killing 254 people and becoming the worst floods there since 1947. Damage on the island totaled $135 million (2003 USD). The storm eventually made landfall in Myanmar on May 19. It is possible that the storm contributed to a deadly heat wave in India due to shifting air currents.
In late July, a monsoon depression moved across much of India, and another monsoon disturbance persisted off the coast of Pakistan. The interaction between the two systems resulted in heavy rainfall across the region, flooding dozens of villages. Monsoonal rainfall killed 285 people between Pakistan and India in the summer of 2003. In late August, another monsoon depression moved across northeastern India. A depression that struck Andhra Pradesh in India killed 21 people in early October. Later that month, a tropical depression crossed Thailand from the western Pacific Ocean, contributing to ongoing flooding that killed 19. Once in the Indian Ocean, this system struck southeastern India without causing much damage. The last system of the year was a cyclonic storm that struck southeastern India in December, killing 81 people and causing $28 million in damage (2003 USD).
There were seven depressions throughout the season, of which three attained cyclonic storm status. One of the cyclonic storms formed before the start of the monsoon season, two depressions formed during the monsoon season from June to September, and the remaining systems formed after September. [1] The number of depressions was similar or greater than that of the previous three years. [2] However, the total of 3 cyclonic storms was below the average of 5.4. [3]
In May 2004, seven of the eight members of the World Meteorological Organization panel on tropical cyclones for the North Indian Ocean met in Colombo, Sri Lanka to review the season. During the meeting, the panel announced the first list of tropical cyclone names to be used in the basin for the following season. The panel noted the increasing frequency of deadly natural disasters in the region, such as the floods that affected Sri Lanka in May 2003 from a cyclone. One of the panel's goals was increased coordination between the countries in the region. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) in New Delhi served as the official Regional Specialized Meteorological Center, [2] although the Joint Typhoon Warning Center also issued warnings for the region in an unofficial capacity. [4] The IMD utilized satellite data from EUMETSAT to track cyclones, as well as radars from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and India. [2]
There were several other monsoon disturbances that affected various countries in the region, including Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Oman. [2] On July 27, during the monsoon season, an area of convection exited from the coast of Pakistan. On the next day, the thunderstorms organized around the center, prompting the Pakistan Meteorological Department to classify the system as a monsoon depression. The IMD operationally classified the system as a depression on July 29, [5] although it was dropped during the agency's annual report. [1] The system weakened into a remnant low on July 30. [5] The system drew moisture from another depression that had moved across India from the Bay of Bengal, bringing three days of heavy rainfall to Karachi, Pakistan. [6] Badin in southeastern Pakistan recorded 292 mm (11.5 in) of rainfall in 24 hours. The rainfall extended into northwestern India, and in Gujarat, a station received more than its annual rainfall during the deluge. Flooding from the heavy rainfall destroyed widespread crops and flooded dozens of villages, and ongoing rains persisted throughout the summer, killing 285 people in the two countries. [7]
Very severe cyclonic storm (IMD) | |
Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
Duration | May 10 – May 20 |
---|---|
Peak intensity | 140 km/h (85 mph) (3-min); 980 hPa (mbar) |
The first storm of the season originated from the monsoon trough, developing into a depression on May 10 in the Bay of Bengal. Initially favorable conditions allowed the system to steadily intensify while moving northwestward, reaching peak maximum sustained winds of 140 km/h (85 mph) on May 13. This made it a very severe cyclonic storm according to the IMD. The storm later drifted northward and later to the east in the central Bay of Bengal, although increased wind shear induced weakening into a deep depression. The system eventually began a steady northeast track, bringing it ashore in western Myanmar on May 19 as a re-intensified cyclonic storm. It dissipated shortly thereafter over land, and was no longer observable on satellite imagery by May 20. [1] [8] [9]
Early and later in its duration, the storm brought rainfall to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. [1] Although the storm never passed within 700 km (430 mi) of the island, [10] the cyclone produced torrential rainfall across southwest Sri Lanka after it stalled in the central Bay of Bengal. The storm drew moisture from the southwest that coalesced in the mountainous portion of the island. [10] A station at Ratnapura recorded 366.1 mm (14.41 in) of rainfall in 18 hours on May 17, including 99.8 mm (3.93 in) in one hour. This followed a period of regular rainfall in the first 15 days of May across the region. [11] The rains caused flooding and landslides in southwestern Sri Lanka that destroyed 24,750 homes and damaged 32,426 others, [12] leaving about 800,000 people homeless. [13] Overall damage totaled about $29 million (2003 USD), [2] mostly to roads and buildings, [11] and there were 254 deaths. [14] This made it the worst floods on the island since 1947. [15] The storm also drew moisture away from India, which possibly contributed to a heat wave that killed 1,200 people, [1] [16] and dropped heavy rainfall in Myanmar. [17]
Deep depression (IMD) | |
Duration | July 25 – July 28 |
---|---|
Peak intensity | 55 km/h (35 mph) (3-min); 988 hPa (mbar) |
A low pressure area persisted over the northern Bay of Bengal on July 22, eventually organizing into a depression on July 25 about 160 km (99 mi) south of Kolkata. Moving northwestward, the system quickly intensified into a deep depression, [1] with peak winds estimated at 55 km/h (35 mph). Late on July 25, the system made landfall north of Balasore in Odisha state. [18] It progressed inland across India, weakening to depression status but remaining a distinct system. On July 28, the depression degenerated into a remnant low over Rajasthan in northwestern India, later merging with a heat low. Rainfall associated with the system mostly occurred in the southwestern periphery, with a peak of 250 mm (9.8 in) at Kendrapara; there was little damage. [1] Rainfall also spread into Bangladesh. [2]
Depression (IMD) | |
Duration | August 27 – August 29 |
---|---|
Peak intensity | 45 km/h (30 mph) (3-min); 996 hPa (mbar) |
On August 27, a low-pressure area organized into a depression about 230 km (140 mi) south of Kolkata. The system largely consisted of a circulation without much organized convection. It moved to the west-northwest and failed to intensify, moving ashore near Chandabali, Odisha on August 28. Once over land, the depression stalled, before dissipating on August 29. Rainfall from the storm peaked at 200 mm (7.9 in) at Kantamal in Odisha, and there were no reports of damage. [1] The system was largely connected with the monsoon, resulting in an increase in rainfall over northeastern India. [19]
Depression (IMD) | |
Duration | October 6 – October 10 |
---|---|
Peak intensity | 45 km/h (30 mph) (3-min); 998 hPa (mbar) |
A low-pressure area persisted on October 4 in the western Bay of Bengal, off the east coast of Tamil Nadu. Two days later, the system organized into a depression and moved northward. Early on October 7, the depression made landfall at Kalingapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. After moving slowly northwestward over land, the system turned to the northeast, degenerating into a remnant low on October 10 over West Bengal. [1] The depression dropped heavy rainfall along its path, peaking at 380 mm (15 in) in Chandabali, Odisha. Kolkata received 267 mm (10.5 in), and rainfall spread as far northeast as Assam. [20] The rains caused widespread flooding across southeastern India, inundating 20 villages and covering 16,000 hectares (39,000 acres) of rice paddies. A tornado spawned by the depression injured 11 people and damaged several houses in Murshidabad. Across its track, the depression killed 13 people in West Bengal and another eight in Andhra Pradesh. [1]
Deep depression (IMD) | |
Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
Duration | October 24 (entered basin) – October 29 |
---|---|
Peak intensity | 55 km/h (35 mph) (3-min); 997 hPa (mbar) |
On October 21, an area of convection formed in the Gulf of Thailand in the western Pacific Ocean. With low wind shear, the thunderstorms organized around the circulation, prompting the JTWC to initiate advisories on Tropical Depression 23W. While drifting northward, the system failed to organize further. Later, a ridge steered the depression to the west, bringing it ashore Thailand on October 24 near Hua Hin District. The next day, the circulation entered the Bay of Bengal after weakening over land, passing near the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. [20] On October 26, the IMD began classifying the system as a depression. [1] The convection gradually reorganized as the system turned to the northwest, prompting the JTWC to upgrade it to a minimal tropical storm on October 27. [20] On the same day, the IMD upgraded it to deep depression status. The system made landfall between Visakhapatnam and Kalingapatnam in Andhra Pradesh on October 28, and dissipated the next day. [1]
While crossing Thailand, the depression produced heavy rainfall reaching 127.7 mm (5.03 in) at Hua Hin over a 24‑hour period. Ongoing monsoonal flooding in the country forced thousands of people to evacuate their houses. [20] About 22,000 cattle were killed, and large areas of farmlands were inundated. Officials opened the Kaeng Krajan Dam to prevent it from being destroyed by the floods. [7] Damage from the depression alone was estimated at ฿1 billion baht ($25 million 2003 USD). [2] The monsoonal rains in October and November 2003 in the country killed 19 people. [7] In India, the depression dropped locally heavy rainfall, reaching 120 mm (4.7 in) in Dummugudem. There was little damage in the country. [1]
Severe cyclonic storm (IMD) | |
Category 1 tropical cyclone (SSHWS) | |
Duration | November 12 – November 16 |
---|---|
Peak intensity | 100 km/h (65 mph) (3-min); 990 hPa (mbar) |
The lone system in the Arabian Sea in the season originated from a trough. [1] On November 10, an area of convection formed off the western coast of India. With little wind shear, the system organized further as it moved west-southwestward due to a ridge to the north. [21] On November 12, the system developed into a depression and quickly intensified into a deep depression. [1] That day, the JTWC classified the system as Tropical Cyclone 02A, [21] and it intensified into a cyclonic storm on November 13. [1] The storm was located at an unusually low latitude of 6° N. [2] After an eye developed in the center of the convection, the JTWC upgraded the storm to the equivalent of a minimal hurricane, [21] estimating peak winds of 150 km/h (95 mph) on November 14. By contrast, the IMD estimated peak winds of 100 km/h (60 mph), [22] making the system a severe cyclonic storm. [1] Subsequently, drier air weakened the storm, causing the convection to decrease. [21] By November 15, the storm had weakened to depression status while approaching Somalia. [1] That day, the JTWC discontinued advisories while the storm was about 520 km (320 mi) east of the Somalia coastline. [21] On November 16, the depression degenerated into a remnant low, and subsequently dissipated. [1]
Severe cyclonic storm (IMD) | |
Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
Duration | December 11 – December 16 |
---|---|
Peak intensity | 100 km/h (65 mph) (3-min); 992 hPa (mbar) |
On December 10, an area of convection with an associated circulation persisted about 740 km (460 mi) west of the northern tip of Sumatra, as part of a trough in the region and enhanced by the monsoon. A steady decline in the wind shear allowed the thunderstorms to organize, [23] and a depression formed on December 11. [1] On the next day, the JTWC initiated advisories on Tropical Cyclone 03B. The storm moved generally northwestward, steered by a ridge to the north. [23] The IMD upgraded the system to a deep depression and later cyclonic storm on December 13, and further to a severe cyclonic storm a day later. The agency estimated peak winds of 100 km/h (60 mph), noting spiral convection organizing around the beginnings of an eye feature. [1] The storm also developed well-defined outflow due to an approaching trough from the west. At around 14:30 UTC on December 15, the storm made landfall near False Divi Point in southeastern India, [23] along the coast of Andhra Pradesh. After turning to the northeast over land, the system rapidly weakened, degenerating into a remnant low on December 16. [1]
Before the storm made landfall, officials evacuated about 20,000 people. [24] As the storm moved ashore in India, it produced heavy rainfall that reached 190 mm (7.5 in) at Repalle, Andhra Pradesh. Light rains fell in neighboring Tamil Nadu. The rains deluged 61,898.5 ha (152,955 acres) of fields in Andhra Pradesh. The storm damaged or destroyed 9,090 houses, [1] and downed several trees and power lines. Local news reports indicated that the storm produced 10 m (33 ft) waves as it moved ashore, [23] which damaged a ship and forced its crew to be rescued by the Indian Coast Guard. [1] In Andhra Pradesh, the storm killed 83 people and resulted in $28 million (2003 USD) in damage. [1] [25] After the storm, the government provided ₹50,000 rupees (US$1,111) to the family of every storm victim. [24]
Name | Dates | Peak intensity | Areas affected | Damage (USD) | Deaths | Refs | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Category | Wind speed | Pressure | ||||||
BOB 01 | May 10 – 20 | Very Severe Cyclonic storm | 140 km/h (85 mph) | 980 hPa (28.94 inHg) | Sri Lanka, India, Myanmar, Bangladesh | $135 million | 260 | |
BOB 02 | July 25 –28 | Deep depression | 55 km/h (35 mph) | 988 hPa (29.18 inHg) | East India, Bangladesh | |||
BOB 03 | August 27 – 29 | Depression | 45 km/h (30 mph) | 996 hPa (29.41 inHg) | Northeastern India | |||
BOB 04 | October 6 – 10 | Depression | 45 km/h (30 mph) | 998 hPa (29.47 inHg) | India | None | 21 | |
BOB 05 | October 24 – 29 | Deep depression | 55 km/h (35 mph) | 997 hPa (29.44 inHg) | Thailand, Malaysia, Myanmar, India | |||
ARB 06 | November 12 – 16 | Severe Cyclonic storm | 100 km/h (60 mph) | 990 hPa (29.23 inHg) | Maldives, Somalia | None | None | |
BOB 07 | December 11 – 16 | Severe Cyclonic storm | 100 km/h (60 mph) | 990 hPa (29.23 inHg) | India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka | $28 million | 83 | |
Season aggregates | ||||||||
7 systems | May 10–December 16 | 140 km/h (85 mph) | 980 hPa (28.94 inHg) | $163 million | 358 |
The 2005 North Indian Ocean cyclone season caused much devastation and many deaths in Southern India despite the storms’ weakness. The basin covers the Indian Ocean north of the equator as well as inland areas, sub-divided by the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. Although the season began early with two systems in January, the bulk of activity was confined from September to December. The official India Meteorological Department tracked 12 depressions in the basin, and the unofficial Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) monitored two additional storms. Three systems intensified into a cyclonic storm, which have sustained winds of at least 63 km/h (39 mph), at which point the IMD named them.
The 1992 North Indian Ocean cyclone season was unofficially the most active year on record for the basin, with 10 tropical storms developing, according to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC). There are two main seas in the North Indian Ocean – the Bay of Bengal to the east of the Indian subcontinent – and the Arabian Sea to the west of India. The official Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre in this basin is the India Meteorological Department (IMD), while the JTWC releases unofficial advisories. An average of four to six storms form in the North Indian Ocean every season with peaks in May and November. Cyclones occurring between the meridians 45°E and 100°E are included in the season by the IMD.
The 2006 North Indian Ocean cyclone season had no bounds, but cyclones tend to form between April and December, with peaks in May and November. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the northern Indian Ocean.
The 2008 North Indian cyclone season was one of the most disastrous tropical cyclone seasons in modern history, causing more than 140,000 fatalities and over US$15 billion in damage. At the time, it was the costliest season in the North Indian Ocean, until it was surpassed by 2020. The season has no official bounds but cyclones tend to form between April and December. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the northern Indian Ocean. There are two main seas in the North Indian Ocean—the Bay of Bengal, which is east of India, and the Arabian Sea, which is west of India. The official Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre in this basin is the India Meteorological Department (IMD), however the Joint Typhoon Warning Center releases unofficial advisories for military interests. An average of four to six storms form in the North Indian Ocean every season. Cyclones occurring between the meridians 45°E and 100°E are included in the season by the IMD.
The 2004 North Indian Ocean cyclone season was the first in which tropical cyclones were officially named in the basin. Cyclone Onil, which struck India and Pakistan, was named in late September. The final storm, Cyclone Agni, was also named, and crossed into the southern hemisphere shortly before dissipation. This storm became notable during its origins and became one of the storms closest to the equator. The season was fairly active, with ten depressions forming from May to November. The India Meteorological Department designated four of these as cyclonic storms, which have maximum sustained winds of at least 65 km/h (40 mph) averaged over three minutes. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center also issued warnings for five of the storms on an unofficial basis.
The 2002 North Indian Ocean cyclone season was a below average season in terms of tropical cyclone formation. The season had no official bounds, but most storms formed in either May or after October. No depressions or storms formed during the monsoon season from July to September, the first such instance on record. There are two main seas in the North Indian Ocean – the Bay of Bengal to the east of the Indian subcontinent – and the Arabian Sea to the west of India. The official Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre in this basin is the India Meteorological Department (IMD), while the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) releases unofficial advisories. An average of four to six storms form in the North Indian Ocean every season with peaks in May and November. Cyclones occurring between the meridians 45°E and 100°E are included in the season by the IMD.
The 2001 North Indian Ocean cyclone season was fairly quiet, although activity was evenly spread between the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. There were six depressions tracked by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), which is the official Regional Specialized Meteorological Center for the northern Indian Ocean. The agency also tracked four cyclonic storms, which have maximum winds of at least 65 km/h (40 mph) sustained over 3 minutes. The American-based Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) tracked an additional storm – Tropical Storm Vamei – which crossed over from the South China Sea at a record-low latitude.
The 2000 North Indian Ocean cyclone season was fairly quiet compared to the year before, 1999 North Indian Ocean cyclone season, with all of the activity originating in the Bay of Bengal. The basin comprises the Indian Ocean north of the equator, with warnings issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) in New Delhi. There were six depressions throughout the year, of which five intensified into cyclonic storms – tropical cyclones with winds of 65 mph (105 km/h) sustained over 3 minutes. Two of the storms strengthened into a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm, which has winds of at least 120 km/h (75 mph), equivalent to a minimal hurricane. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) also tracked storms in the basin on an unofficial basis, estimating winds sustained over 1 minute.
The 1995 North Indian Ocean cyclone season was below-average and was primarily confined to the autumn months, with the exception of three short-lived deep depressions in May. There were eight depressions in the basin, which is Indian Ocean north of the equator. The basin is subdivided between the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea on the east and west coasts of India, respectively. Storms were tracked by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), which is the basin's Regional Specialized Meteorological Center, as well as the American-based Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) on an unofficial basis.
The 1996 North Indian Ocean cyclone season featured several deadly tropical cyclones, with over 2,000 people killed during the year. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) – the Regional Specialized Meteorological Center for the northern Indian Ocean as recognized by the World Meteorological Organization – issued warnings for nine tropical cyclones in the region. Storms were also tracked on an unofficial basis by the American-based Joint Typhoon Warning Center, which observed one additional storm. The basin is split between the Bay of Bengal off the east coast of India and the Arabian Sea off the west coast. During the year, the activity was affected by the monsoon season, with most storms forming in June or after October.
The 1990 North Indian Ocean cyclone season featured a below average total of twelve cyclonic disturbances and one of the most intense tropical cyclones in the basin on record. During the season the systems were primarily monitored by the India Meteorological Department, while other warning centres such as the United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center also monitored the area. During the season, there were at least 1,577 deaths, while the systems caused over US$693 million in damages. The most significant system was the 1990 Andhra Pradesh cyclone, which was the most intense, damaging, and the deadliest system of the season.
The 1993 North Indian Ocean cyclone season was the least active on record in the basin, with only four tropical disturbances. There are two main seas in the North Indian Ocean – the Bay of Bengal to the east of the Indian subcontinent and the Arabian Sea to the west. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued advisories for the systems in its official capacity as the local Regional Specialized Meteorological Center, while the Joint Typhoon Warning Center also issued advisories for two of the storms on an unofficial basis. Of the five disturbances tracked by the IMD, two intensified into cyclonic storms.
The 1994 North Indian Ocean cyclone season was a below-average year in which eight tropical cyclones affected seven countries bordering the North Indian Ocean. The India Meteorological Department tracks all tropical cyclones in the basin, north of the equator. The first system developed on March 21 in the Bay of Bengal, the first March storm in the basin since 1938. The second storm was the most powerful cyclone of the season, attaining maximum sustained winds of 215 km/h (135 mph) in the northern Bay of Bengal. Making landfall near the border of Bangladesh and Myanmar, the cyclone killed 350 people and left US$125 million in damage.
The 2009 North Indian Ocean cyclone season was an event in the annual cycle of tropical cyclone formation. The North Indian Ocean cyclone season has no official bounds, but cyclones tend to form between April and December, with peaks in May and November. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the northern Indian Ocean.
The 2011 North Indian Ocean cyclone season was the least active tropical cyclone season in the North Indian Ocean since 1993. Only two cyclonic storms formed, below the average of four to six. The North Indian Ocean cyclone season has no official bounds, but cyclones tend to form between April and December, with peaks in May and November. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the northern Indian Ocean. The scope of this article is limited to the Indian Ocean in the Northern Hemisphere, east of the Horn of Africa and west of the Malay Peninsula. There are two main seas in the North Indian Ocean — the Arabian Sea to the west of the Indian subcontinent, abbreviated ARB by the India Meteorological Department (IMD); and the Bay of Bengal to the east, abbreviated BOB by the IMD.
Severe Cyclonic Storm Laila was the first cyclonic storm to affect southeastern India in May since the 1990 Andhra Pradesh cyclone. The first tropical cyclone of the annual season, Laila developed on May 17, 2010 in the Bay of Bengal from a persistent area of convection. Strengthening as it tracked northwestward, it became a severe cyclonic storm on May 19. The next day, Laila made landfall in Andhra Pradesh, and it later dissipated over land. It caused flooding and damage along its path. Laila is an Urdu/Arabic name, meaning Night. It was the worst storm to hit Andhra Pradesh in the last 14 years.
The 2013 North Indian Ocean cyclone season was an event in the annual cycle of tropical cyclone formation, in which tropical cyclones formed in the North Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea. The season had no official bounds, but cyclones typically formed between May and December, with the peak from October to November. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the northern Indian Ocean.
The 2014 North Indian Ocean cyclone season was an event in the annual cycle of tropical cyclone formation. The season included two very severe cyclonic storms, both in October, and one other named cyclonic storm, classified according to the tropical cyclone intensity scale of the India Meteorological Department. Cyclone Hudhud is estimated to have caused US$3.58 billion in damage across eastern India, and more than 120 deaths.
In May 2003, a tropical cyclone officially called Very Severe Cyclonic Storm BOB 01 produced the worst flooding in Sri Lanka in 56 years. The first storm of the 2003 North Indian Ocean cyclone season, it developed over the Bay of Bengal on May 10. Favorable environmental conditions allowed the system to intensify steadily while moving northwestward. The storm reached peak maximum sustained winds of 140 km/h (85 mph) on May 13, making it a very severe cyclonic storm according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), which is the official Regional Specialized Meteorological Center for the basin. The cyclone drifted north over the central Bay of Bengal, gradually weakening due to heightened wind shear. Turning eastward, the storm deteriorated to a deep depression on May 16 before it curved northeastward and re-intensified into a cyclonic storm. It came ashore in western Myanmar and dissipated over land the following day.
The 2020 North Indian Ocean cyclone season was the costliest North Indian Ocean cyclone season on record, mostly due to the devastating Cyclone Amphan. The North Indian Ocean cyclone season has no official bounds, but cyclones tend to form between April and November, with peaks in late April to May and October to November. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the northern Indian Ocean. The season began on May 16 with the designation of Depression BOB 01 in the Bay of Bengal, which later became Amphan. Cyclone Amphan was the strongest storm in the Bay of Bengal in 21 years and would break Nargis of 2008's record as the costliest storm in the North Indian Ocean. The season concluded with the dissipation of Cyclone Burevi on December 5. Overall, the season was slightly above average, seeing the development of five cyclonic storms.