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 65km/h (40mph) averaged over three minutes. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center also issued warnings for five of the storms on an unofficial basis.
In early May, two tropical storms formed on opposite sides of India. The first formed on May5 and meandered while intensifying, dropping 1,840mm (72in) in Aminidivi in the Lakshadweep group offshore western India, which was the highest daily rainfall total in the basin. A week later, a cyclone – the strongest of the season – struck Myanmar, killing 236people and leaving 25,000people homeless. Depressions also formed on opposite sides of India in June. A depression in September killed 59people after dropping torrential rainfall over Bangladesh and adjacent West Bengal. In October, another depression struck the region, killing 273people. There was also a short-lived cyclonic storm in the Arabian Sea in November.
The monsoon became active in May as water temperatures became warm.[3] Twin depressions formed during June on opposite sides of India, which helped intensify the monsoon over the country. A notable feature of the season was the Arabian Sea being more active than the Bay of Bengal.[1] The IMD began naming tropical cyclones within the basin in 2004, beginning after the monsoon season. As such, only two cyclonic storms in the latter half of the year were named.[1]
Toward the end of April, an area of convection persisted in the southern Bay of Bengal.[4] It developed into a distinct low-pressure area on May1 over the body of water, but soon moved westward into India without developing. On May4, the system emerged from Kerala into the Arabian Sea,[1] and soon after convection rapidly increased. Early on May5, the JTWC classified the system as Tropical Cyclone 01A about 370km (230mi) west-southwest of Kochi, India.[4] On the same day, the IMD began classifying it as a depression, but soon after upgraded it to a deep depression and later cyclonic storm after increased organization.[1] The storm meandered off southwest India for three days due to weak steering currents. During that time, the convection pulsed around the circulation,[4] and the IMD upgraded it to a severe cyclonic storm on May7 with winds of 100km/h (60mph).[1] By contrast, the JTWC only estimated peak winds of 85km/h (55mph).[2] Increased wind shear, cooler waters, and dry air rapidly weakened the convection, exposing the center and causing the storm to deteriorate quickly into a depression. On May10, the system degenerated into a remnant low off Gujarat, without any discernible low-level circulation.[1][4]
The precursor to the storm brought heavy rainfall to southern India, reaching 124.8mm (4.91in) in Thiruvananthapuram over 48hours.[4] The remnants also brought upwards of 225mm (8.9in) of rainfall in Gujarat.[5] While an active tropical cyclone, the storm dropped torrential rainfall to the Lakshadweep group offshore western India. Aminidivi recorded 1,840mm (72in) over three days, including 1,170mm (46in) in just 24hours.[1] This broke the record for the highest daily rainfall total related to a North Indian Ocean cyclone.[6] The high rains cut communications from the island group to the mainland, and damaged 45houses in conjunction with the winds. High waves sank 15boats and one cargo ship while also causing erosion in Kerala. The storm killed nine people and caused ₹300million rupees ($6.7million USD).[1]
The second storm of the season formed as a depression on May16 in the central Bay of Bengal. With low wind shear and a surge in the monsoon trough, the storm intensified while meandering over open waters. The storm eventually began a steady northeastward motion due to a ridge to the north over India. While approaching land, an eye developed in the center of the storm, indicative of a strong cyclone. On May19, the cyclone made landfall along northwestern Myanmar near Sittwe, with maximum sustained winds estimated at 165km/h (105mph) by the IMD.[1][2][4] The storm rapidly weakened over land, although its remnants spread rainfall into northern Thailand and Yunnan province in China.[4]
Winds from the cyclone reached 157km/h (98mph) in Myanmar,[4] occurring in conjunction with heavy rainfall and a high storm surge.[7] Despite the storm's ferocity, the government did not report about the cyclone for ten days, as they usually under report on landfalling storms.[8] The cyclone caused heavy damage throughout Rakhine State, destroying or heavily damaging 4,035homes and leaving 25,000people homeless.[9][10] There was widespread crop damage, resulting in food shortages, and damaged roads disrupted subsequent relief efforts.[8][11][12] Damage in Myanmar totaled over K621million kyat (US$99.2million), making it the worst storm in the country since 1968, and there were 236deaths.[7][13] Although damage was heaviest in Myanmar, the cyclone's effects also spread into neighboring Bangladesh, where strong winds knocked over trees and capsized two ships.[4]
On June8, a low-pressure area formed in the eastern Arabian Sea. A nearby buoy recorded winds of 45km/h (30mph), which organized into a depression on June10. While remaining nearly stationary, the depression quickly intensified into a deep depression. The system later began a slow westward movement, due to a ridge to the north.[1] On June11, and again on the following day, the JTWC issued a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert (TCFA), although the system never strengthened beyond its initial stages.[14] Strong wind shear caused the depression to weaken, and the IMD downgraded it to a remnant low on June13.[1]
A surge in the monsoon developed an area of convection over the Andaman Sea in early June, spawning a low-pressure area, which later became a depression on June11. Moving to the northwest along a ridge, it strengthened into a deep depression the next day. Early on June13, the system struck Odisha near Puri, and initially maintained its intensity over land. However, it eventually weakened, degenerating into a remnant low over Chhattisgarh on June14. The depression dropped heavy rainfall in eastern India, particularly Odisha. There, the peak 24-hour precipitation total was 320mm (13in) in Madanpur Rampur. There were no reports of damage.[1]
For about ten days in September, a monsoon depression persisted around the northern edge of the Bay of Bengal onto adjacent landmasses, initially associated with an upper-level low.[15] On September10, a low-pressure area developed within the monsoon trough in the extreme northern Bay of Bengal. Moving northwestward, it organized into a depression after it moved ashore, organizing over West Bengal near Kolkata. The system attained peak winds of 45km/h (30mph) despite being over land. Located within a col, or weakness between ridges, the depression meandered over eastern India, weakening into a remnant low on September15.[1] It moved slowly northwestward, reaching Uttar Pradesh by September22.[15]
The depression dropped heavy rainfall in eastern India, including as a tropical cyclone, a precursor,[1] and its remnant.[15] Notable rainfall totals include 340mm (13in) in Chepan on September9,[1]480mm (19in) on September21 at a station in Uttar Pradesh,[15] and 341mm (13.4in) in Dhaka in neighboring Bangladesh, the heaviest daily total in 50years.[16] Flash flooding in the Indian state of Tripura killed four people and isolated about 55,000people. Three people died in West Bengal, where floodwaters left about 650,000people homeless in hundreds of villages. Flash flooding in Uttar Pradesh killed 33people overnight on September21.[15] In nearby Bangladesh, the depression produced additional flooding after a similar disaster occurred in July, temporarily isolating about 1million people, and killing 19.[16]
A depression formed out of an area of convection southwest of India on September30. The next day, it intensified into Cyclonic Storm Onil.[1] becoming the first tropical cyclone on record to be named in the northern Indian Ocean.[17] Cyclone Onil quickly attained its peak intensity on October2 with winds of 100km/h (60mph) and a barometric pressure of 990 mbar (hPa; 29.23inHg). However, dry air quickly entered the system, causing it to rapidly weaken to a depression just off the coast of Gujarat, India. Over the following several days, the system took a slow, erratic track towards the south-southeast. After turning northeastward, the system made landfall near Porbandar on October10 and dissipated shortly thereafter.[1][18]
Throughout southeastern Pakistan and northwestern India, thousands of residents were evacuated prior to the cyclone's arrival. In these areas, the storm produced moderate to heavy rainfall, peaking at 145mm (5.7in) in Thatta, Sindh, Pakistan.[18] These rains led to flash flooding in several areas. Nine people died in several incidents related to the storm in Karachi.[19] The drainage system of Hyderabad sustained significant damage, leading to several protests and demonstrations by city residents.[20][21] Offshore, 300 fishermen are believed to have gone missing during the storm.[22]
A low-pressure area formed in the Bay of Bengal on September30 and gradually became more organized. It moved northwestward and developed into a depression on October2. Without intensifying beyond winds of 45km/h (30mph), the depression moved ashore Andhra Pradesh near Kalingapatnam on October4. It rapidly weakened into a remnant low and turned to the northeast. On October7, the system re-intensified into a depression near Bankura despite being over land, aided by moisture from the Bay of Bengal.[1] After crossing into northern Bangladesh, the system again weakened into a remnant low,[1] which gradually elongated and weakened.[18]
For several days in early October, the depression dropped rainfall across southeastern India, which was heaviest after it re-intensified over land. Alipurduar in northeastern West Bengal recorded 310mm (12in) in a 24-hour period, and Malda reported 430mm (17in) in two days.[1] In northern Andhra Pradesh, flooding from the depression affected 40villages, wrecking 50houses. The waters also inundated 50,000 acres (20,000ha) of rice paddies and damaged 200irrigation water tanks. In West Bengal, the floods killed 3,000 migratory birds and damaged ₹1.1billion rupees (US$23.9million) worth of crops; 51people also died in the state. In neighboring Odisha, four people were killed, and the floods washed away a bridge and affected several villages.[1]
The third large flood event of the year,[23] the depression caused its most severe impact in northeastern India, where 218people were killed,[1] including 112 in the city of Goalpara alone.[24] There, the floods struck in the middle of the night, catching residents off guard and washing away hundreds of houses along two whole blocks.[23] Flash flooding caused landslides in Kamrup, while regional and national roads were damaged or submerged. Over 15,000people were forced to evacuate their homes to emergency shelters.[24] Across the region, 98,721ha (243,940 acres) of crops were damaged,[1] and 30,000homes were damaged or destroyed.[23] Rainfall spread into Nepal, where 51.3mm (2.02in) was recorded at the airport in Kathmandu. The precipitation led to a snowstorm in Tibet, reaching 60mm (2.4in) in one location; this marked the highest daily snowfall for the station in October, and caused a loss of crops and livestock.[18]
An area of convection formed west of Sri Lanka on October31, organizing around a circulation center. Low wind shear allowed slow development,[25] and a low-pressure area developed on November1 in the southeastern Arabian Sea. The following day, a depression formed off the southwest coast of India.[1] Moving northward, the system's convection continued to organize around the center, and the JTWC classified it as Tropical Cyclone 04A on November4.[25] The IMD upgraded it to a deep depression on the next day as the storm began moving westward.[1] Despite good outflow, the convection failed to intensify further and was limited to the eastern portion, and the JTWC did not estimate 1minute winds higher than 75km/h (45mph).[25] The IMD only assessed a peak of 55km/h (35mph).[1] Drier air from the north caused the thunderstorms to weaken and expose the circulation.[25] The IMD downgraded the system to a remnant low on November7,[1] and the remnants continued to the west-southwest, passing near Socotra Island. On November9, the remnant circulation brushed the coast of Somalia after redeveloping some convection, but there was no redevelopment.[25]
A tropical disturbance was observed on November19 about 800km (500mi) southeast of Colombo, Sri Lanka in the Bay of Bengal.[26] The disturbance tracked westward, weakening after passing south of Sri Lanka.[25] It entered the Arabian Sea on November26, and despite being located unusually close to the equator, the system maintained convection about its circulation, aided by low wind shear.[25] While the system was organizing, the center crossed the equator to reach about 0.5°S, thus becoming an anticyclonic circulation in the southern hemisphere. This was unusual, as the Coriolis effect is nonexistent along the equator—the Coriolis effect refers to planetary vorticity, which provides the spin in a cyclone.[26][27] On November28, the JTWC classified it as Tropical Cyclone 05A just 78km (48mi) from the equator.[25] The IMD classified it as a depression the next day at 1.5°N, noting that "cyclogenesis... at such low latitudes has not occurred in the past."[1] It rivaled Tropical Storm Vamei as one of the closest storms to the equator.[25]
After developing, the system moved northwestward due to a ridge over India.[25] The IMD upgraded the depression to Cyclonic Storm Agni late on November29 and further to a severe cyclonic storm the next day.[1] The JTWC also upgraded Agni to the equivalent of a minimal hurricane, estimating 120km/h (75mph). Wind shear and dry air caused the storm to weaken.[25] After Agni turned westward, the IMD downgraded it to a depression and later remnant low on December2,[1] although the JTWC tracked it for another day, issuing their final advisory while Agni was about 450km (275mi) south-southeast of Cape Guardafui—the easternmost point of the Horn of Africa.[25] The remnants moved ashore at eastern Somalia, before turning to the south and dissipating on December5.[2]
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, with tropical cyclones leaving more than 140,000 people dead and causing more than US$15 billion in damage, making it the costliest season in the North Indian Ocean, until it was made second in 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 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 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.
Cyclonic Storm Akash was the first named tropical cyclone of the 2007 North Indian Ocean cyclone season. Warned by both India Meteorological Department (IMD) and Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC), it formed from an area of disturbed weather on the Bay of Bengal on May 12, and gradually organized as it drifted northward. An eye began to develop as it approached land, and after reaching peak 3-min sustained winds of 85 km/h (55 mph) it struck about 115 km (71 mi) south of Chittagong in Bangladesh. Akash rapidly weakened over land, and advisories were discontinued on May 15.
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.
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 its predecessor, 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 1998 North Indian Ocean cyclone season was an active season in annual cycle of tropical cyclone formation. 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 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 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 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 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 2015 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 months of April and December, with the peak from May to November. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the northern Indian Ocean.
The October 1996 India cyclone had an unusual and protracted path that spanned much of the northern Indian Ocean. It originated in a weather disturbance that formed on October 14 in the southern Bay of Bengal, off India's east coast. Moving westward, it struck Andhra Pradesh on October 17 as a well-defined low-pressure area. It crossed southern India and reorganized in the Arabian Sea off the western coast of India. The system developed into a depression on October 22 and quickly intensified while moving northward. By October 24, the cyclone approached hurricane intensity as it developed an eye, reaching peak winds of at least 110 km/h (70 mph). On October 25, the storm abruptly stalled and weakened off Gujarat, and progressed southwestward as a minimal storm. It was no longer classifiable as a tropical cyclone by October 28, although its remnants persisted until November 2 when they dissipated east of Somalia.
The 2018 North Indian Ocean cyclone season was one of the most active North Indian Ocean cyclone seasons since 1992, with the formation of fourteen depressions and seven cyclones. The North Indian Ocean cyclone season has no official bounds, but cyclones tend to form between April and December, with the two 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 2000 South Indian Cyclone was the strongest, most intense tropical cyclone of the fairly-quiet 2000 North Indian Ocean cyclone season. The fifth cyclone, and the fourth named storm, Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm BOB 05 started as an upper-level low over the Andaman Sea on November 24. On early November 26, the group of thunderstorms was classified as a depression by the IMD. The system slowly began to organize, and late on November 26 the JTWC named it as Tropical Cyclone 03B. By November 28, a 20 km (12 mi)-wide eye was developing, prompting the JTWC to upgrade the storm to the equivalent of a minimal hurricane with winds of 120 km/h (75 mph). By comparison, the IMD estimated peak winds of 190 km/h (120 mph). Wind shear in the region prevented further strengthening, and the storm weakened slightly before making landfall on November 29 in eastern India near Cuddalore. A station there recorded a pressure of 983 mbar (29.0 inHg).
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