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.
Very Severe Cyclonic Storms Luban (left) and Titli (right) over the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, respectively, on 10 October 2018. This was the first time that two simultaneous cyclones were active in the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea since reliable records began in 1960.
The season started with ARB 01 which was formed on March 14 making one of the rarest system formed in March since tropical cyclone development stays relatively low between January and March. It caused heavy rainfall in Maldives, Lakshadweep and Kerala. After a two-month gap, another low formed near the Horn of Africa, which later became Sagar. It became unofficially the strongest cyclone to make landfall until it was broken by Gati in 2020. It caused heavy rainfall in Somaliland and local flooding was reported in the Yemeni coast. The storm made the westernmost landfall surpassing the record of Tropical Storm One. A day after Sagar dissipation, another low pressure formed off the coast of Oman which later organised into Cyclone Mekunu. It then peaked as a Category 3 tropical cyclone according to JTWC and an Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm according to IMD. It caused 30 people dead and heavy rainfall recorded in Salalah, Oman. After that, a low pressure quickly intensified into a deep depression and peaking as a tropical storm made landfall in Myanmar causing heavy downpour. Five monsoonal depression also formed between June and September, all of them were land depressions.
Cyclogenesis continued with Cyclone Daye which made landfall in Odisha state. Heavy downpour and flood mainly in Malkangiri district and its outer bands also caused heavy rainfall in West Bengal. Following with Daye, Luban and Titli both formed in the Arabian sea and the Bay of Bengal respectively, causing heavy damages in Oman and Andhra Pradesh. Gaja on November 10, also formed and caused extensive damage in Tamil Nadu and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The season ended with Cyclone Phethai causing agricultural damage and four dead.
A trough developed near the equator in the eastern Indian Ocean on March7. A low-pressure area formed on March10 to the southwest of Sri Lanka, in an area with warm sea surface temperatures and low wind shear. Moving into the eastern Arabian Sea, the low organized into a depression on March13 at the low latitude of 5°N. After its formation, the depression encountered cooler, drier air, which prevented the system from strengthening beyond an intensity of 45km/h (30mph). Moving northwest, the depression passed between the Maldives and the Lakshadweep islands, and weakened into a remnant low-pressure area on March15.[3]
Officials advised fishermen to avoid sailing off India's southwest coast for a few days.[4] The depression produced heavy rainfall across southern India.[3] The coastal port city of Thoothukudi near the southern tip of India recorded 200mm (7.9in) on March13,[3] its highest daily precipitation ever recorded. Minicoy Island in Lakshadweep received 177mm (7.0in) of rain from the system.[5] Heavy rainfall also occurred in Aryankavu, Kerala, and Chintamani, Karnataka.[3]
A low-pressure area formed on May14 near Socotra in the western Arabian Sea.[6] The weather system moved northwestward, steered by a ridge to the northeast and the flow of the regional geography.[7] On May16, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) classified the low as a depression at 12:00UTC about 200km (120mi) northeast of Cape Guardafui, Somalia.[6] On the same day, the JTWC designated the depression as Tropical Cyclone 01A.[8] The IMD upgraded the system to a cyclonic storm on May17, naming it Sagar. The storm entered the Gulf of Aden that day, gradually intensifying while paralleling the coast of Yemen.[6] Sagar developed an eye on microwave imagery, a sign of an intensifying storm.[9] Late on May18, the IMD estimated Sagar's peak intensity at 85km/h (55mph).[6] Around the same time, the JTWC estimated Sagar attained peak 1minute sustained winds of 120km/h (75mph), while located about 165km (103mi) south of Aden, Yemen, or about 95km (59mi) north of Berbera, Somalia.[8] Sagar weakened slightly before it made landfall near Lughaya in northwestern Somaliland, with winds of 75km/h (45mph) according to the IMD.[6] According to the JTWC, Sagar was the strongest tropical cyclone on record to strike Somalia, with estimated 1-minute landfalling winds of 95km/h (60mph). The storm also made the westernmost landfall in the North Indian Ocean, surpassing a tropical storm in 1984, which took a nearly identical track to the east.[10][11] Sagar rapidly weakened over land, degenerating into a low-pressure area over eastern Ethiopia on May20.[6]
The cyclone first affected Socotra, and later the Yemeni mainland, producing locally heavy rainfall and flooding.[12] High winds from Sagar contributed to a house fire near Aden, resulting in one fatality.[13] In parts of northern Somalia and Somaliland, Sagar dropped a years' worth of heavy rainfall, or around 200mm (7.9in), resulting in deadly flash flooding.[14] The floods washed out farms, livestock, boats, and houses, forcing families to evacuate.[15] Roads, medical facilities, and other infrastructure were also damaged. Three people died in Puntland and another 50people died in Somaliland due to Sagar.[16] In neighboring Djibouti, flooding from the storm damaged about 10,000houses, with damage in the country estimated at US$30million.[17] Two people died in the country.[18] In the Somali Region of eastern Ethiopia, Sagar produced strong winds and heavy rainfall, resulting in flooding and landslides. Near the border of SNNPR and Oromia, a landslide killed 23people.[19][20]
An area of convection developed to the northwest of the Maldives on May 18.[21] Over the next two days, it became better organized and the IMD reported that it had developed into a low-pressure area on May 20, giving it the identifier ARB 03.[22] The system slowly drifted northwestwards into favorable environment for tropical cyclogenesis and developed good outflow.[23] The JTWC issued a TCFA on May 21 after convective bands began to wrap into the broad low-level circulation center (LLCC).[24] Around the same time, the IMD had announced that the system intensified into a depression.[25] Over the next 24 hours, the depression continued to drift further northwestwards into warm waters and faced low vertical wind shear. As a result, it continued to intensify and the JTWC began tracking it as a tropical storm.[26] Subsequently, the IMD upgraded it to a deep depression[27] and Cyclonic Storm Mekunu later the same day.[28] Multi-spectral satellite imagery revealed that Mekunu had developed an eye as early as May 23,[29] at which time the IMD upgraded it to a severe cyclonic storm.[30] Benefiting from favorable environmental conditions, the cyclone became more symmetric,[31] intensifying into a very severe cyclonic storm six hours later.[32] The cyclone continued to track northwestward under the influence of a subtropical ridge.[33] On May 25, it reached its peak intensity as an extremely severe cyclonic storm, with the JTWC estimating peak 1-minute sustained winds of 185km/h (115mph), equivalent to a Category3 storm on the Saffir–Simpson scale.
Under the influence of Mekunu, Socotra received widespread rainfall leading to flash flooding and downed power lines. At least 40 people were initially reported to be missing after two ships were capsized off Socotra.[34] Mekunu made landfall on the Omani coast near the city of Salalah at peak intensity. Gusts of 67mph (108km/h) were recorded at the Salalah Airport before the landfall while areas in the Salalah recorded rainfall of 194mm (7.6in).[35] As of 31 May, at least 30 people have died in Oman and Yemen due to Mekunu, including 20 on Socotra, four in Yemen,[36] and six in Oman.[37] Insurance claims in Oman reached ﷼108million (US$281million).[38][39]
On May28, a low-pressure area formed over the eastern Bay of Bengal, three days after the IMD first mentioned such a possibility. That day, the JTWC noted a low chance for development, before raising it to a medium chance. The system moved northeastward and organized, becoming a depression at 06:00UTC on May29. With warm waters and low wind shear, the system strengthened further. The IMD upgraded the system to a deep depression at 12:00UTC on May29, estimating peak winds of 55km/h (35mph). The JTWC meanwhile estimated peak winds of 85km/h (55mph), designating the system as Tropical Cyclone 03B; however, the agency did not issue any advisories on the cyclone in real time. Late on May29, the deep depression moved ashore northern Myanmar near Kyaukphyu, and it rapidly weakened over land, degenerating into a low on May30.[3][8]
While in its formative stages, the depression brought heavy rainfall to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, with a peak daily total of 230mm (9.1in) recorded in Port Blair. The storm later brought heavy rainfall to northeast India.[3] Ahead of the depression's landfall, Myanmar's Meteorology and Hydrology Department issued a red-code emergency alert warning.[40] High winds and heavy rains destroyed more than 500homes in the Yangon region, with shelters opened for residents left homeless. The strong wind knocked down trees, cutting power supply in areas.[41]
A monsoonal low formed in the northern Bay of Bengal on June8, which was anticipated by the IMD as early as June3. Low wind shear and warm waters fueled development as the system moved to the north-northwest. On June10, the system organized into a depression near the coastline of Bangladesh, with peak winds of 45km/h (30mph). A few hours after its formation, the depression moved ashore the country south of Feni. Due to land interaction, the system weakened into a low at 00:00UTC on June11.[3]
The depression brought heavy rainfall to Bangladesh and across eastern India. Sabroom in northeastern India recorded 440mm (17in) of rainfall over two days.[3] In Bangladesh, two-day rainfall totals reached 150mm (5.9in), causing flooding and landslides.[42] The flooding closed some roads and forced more than 29,000people to be evacuated. At least 12people died related to the floods, including two people in Rohingya refugee camps in southeastern Bangladesh. Nearly 900refugee camps were damaged, along with 200latrines, two health facilities, and two food distribution centers.[43][44][45] Heavy rains also caused flooding in the port city of Chittagong.[42]
A monsoonal low formed on July19 in the northern Bay of Bengal. With favorable conditions such as warm water temperatures, the system gradually organized, becoming a depression on July21 just off the coast of eastern India. The system only attained peak winds of 45km/h (30mph), as it soon after moved ashore the Indian coastline near the borders of Odisha and West Bengal. Continuing to the northwest, the depression maintained a flow of moisture that helped sustain its intensity for 36hours over land, before the system weakened into a low on July23 over Jharkhand. The depression dropped torrential rainfall over eastern India, reaching as far west as Rajasthan. The highest 24hour total was 620mm (24in) in Burla in Odisha, resulting in flooding.[3] Flood-related incidents killed five people in Odisha.[46][47]
A monsoonal low formed in the northwestern Bay of Bengal on August6. With low wind shear and high water temperatures, the system quickly organized into a depression by August7, located a short distance off eastern India. The system soon after moved ashore near the border of Odisha and West Bengal, failing to intensify beyond winds of 45km/h (30mph). The depression moved across northern Odisha and weakened into a low on August8 over Chhattisgarh. Heavy rainfall accompanied the depression across India, reaching as far west as Rajasthan. The highest 24hour rainfall total was 390mm (15in) in Puri.[3]
On August13, a low formed in the northwestern Bay of Bengal from a circulation that was present for the prior four days. The system organized as it moved west-northwestward toward the Indian coastline, becoming a depression on August15 near the coastline of Odisha, with winds of 45km/h (30mph). The depression progressed across central India, weakening into a low on August17 over Madhya Pradesh. Along its path, the depression dropped heavy rainfall, with a peak 24hour total of 400mm (16in) in Bhopalpatnam in Chhattisgarh state.[3] In Odisha, the heavy rainfall prompted the cancelation of Independence Day activities at schools.[48]
A low-pressure area formed in the northern Bay of Bengal on September5. With low wind shear and high water temperatures, the system organized further, becoming a depression on September6, just off the coast of West Bengal. The depression quickly intensified into a deep depression, reaching winds of 55km/h (35mph) before moving onshore eastern India. Continuing westward, the deep depression moved across northern Odisha and weakened, degenerating into a low over Chhattisgarh on September7. The low continued across India and dissipated over Rajasthan. Throughout much of India, the deep depression brought heavy rainfall, with a peak 24hour precipitation total of 410mm (16in) in Paradeep, Odisha.[3]
On September 19, a depression formed over the east central Bay of Bengal, receiving the designation BOB 07. Soon afterward, the JTWC has issued a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert (TCFA). Early on September 20, the storm intensified into a deep depression over the west central Bay of Bengal. The system intensified further, becoming Cyclonic Storm Daye later that day, while situated over the northwestern Bay of Bengal. The name Daye was suggested by Myanmar which means 'luncheon' in Burmese. Early on September 21, Daye made landfall on south Odisha, also impacting the adjoining north Andhra Pradesh coast near Gopalpur, during the morning, local time, resulting in heavy rains and strong winds of 65 to 75km/h in various districts in the regions. Upon its landfall, Daye brought heavy to very heavy rainfall in various districts of Odisha. Following landfall, Daye weakened into a depression. Over the next two days, Daye continued moving westward, while dropping heavy amounts of rain across India. On September 22, Daye weakened into a well-marked low, with the IMD issuing its final advisory on the system.[3]
Prior to the cyclone's landfall at midnight, local time, on September 21, the government of Odisha deployed emergency teams in Malkangiri, with more teams on standby in Rayagada, Gajapati, and Puri. One NDRF team had each been deployed in Kalahandi, Rayagada, Gajapati, Puri, Nayagarh, and Kandhamal districts, with 17 boats and other emergency equipment. Local cautionary Signal Number LC-III had been kept hoisted at all ports of Odisha when the cyclone was a deep depression.[3]
Malkangiri was worst affected, with many houses submerged. Several parts of outer Malkangiri city and rural areas of the district reportedly received heavy cyclonic rains. Several houses had submerged into water, leaving many people homeless. According to reports, a maximum rainfall total of 284mm was recorded at Malkangiri by the India Meteorological department (IMD). In Balasore District, the water was flowing above the danger level in the Jalaka River. Water level increased in the Kolab Dam and two gates were opened.[3]
The outer rainbands of the storm dropped extremely heavy rain in the southern parts of West Bengal. Digha recorded 229mm of rain, Contai received 331mm of rain, Diamond Harbour recorded 66mm of rain, Midnapore received 79mm of rain, and Halisahar recorded 51mm of rain. Torrential rains and flash floods were also reported in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Punjab, resulting in at least 25 deaths. The floodgates of the famous Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh were opened, for the first time in 10 years.[3]
As Daye weakened into a low-pressure area, the storm interacted with another western disturbance to the north, leading to widespread rainfall in the northern Himalayas and the plains to the south, from September 22–24. Delhi received heavy rains between September 22–24 totaling 58.6mm, resulting in severe waterlogging. Maximum temperatures in Delhi were up to 6 Degrees Celsius below normal. Amritsar in Punjab received large amounts of rainfall ending early on September 24, with a total of 203.0mm, while Karnal in Haryana received one of its highest 24-hour rainfall totals in September, with a total of 142.0mm.[3]
Upon moving ashore, Cyclone Luban produced flooding rains in Somalia, Oman, and Yemen.[citation needed] Luban forced 2,203families to leave their houses, utilizing 38schools for shelter. The storm killed 14people in the country, and injured another 124people, with 10people still being missing.[50][51]Heavy rainfall cut off villages and damaged roads. Damage in the country was estimated at US$1billion.[nb 1] In Oman, desert rainfall caused a small locust outbreak. Luban coexisted with Cyclone Titli in the Bay of Bengal, marking the first time since 1977 that two storms of such intensity were active at the same time in the North Indian Ocean.[citation needed]
On October 6, a low-pressure area formed in the Andaman Sea. Over the next two days, the disaster entered the Bay of Bengal and became a depression on October 8, receiving the designation BOB 08 from the IMD. Afterward, the storm rapidly strengthened, becoming a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm on October 9, with the strength of a Category 3 major hurricane on the Saffir–Simpson scale (SSHWS).[citation needed]
Between 4:30a.m. and 5:30a.m. IST on October 11 (23:00–00:00 UTC on October 10–11), Titli made landfall near Palasa, Andhra Pradesh, at peak intensity.[citation needed]
Titli killed at least 77 people in Odisha and left a couple of others missing, due to heavy flooding and landslides,[52] and caused another 8 deaths in Andhra Pradesh.[53] The storm weakened into a depression before entering West Bengal, wreaking havoc in some parts of South Bengal, and bringing torrential rain and gale-force wind.[54] Damage from flooding caused by Titli totaled at ₹3,673.1 crore (US$507 million) in Andhra Pradesh,[55] and ₹3,000 crore (US$413 million) in Odisha.[56] The storm also caused serious damage to the East Coast railway.
Titli also killed four people in Bangladesh due to landslides.[57]
On November 5, a low-pressure system formed over the Gulf of Thailand. The system crossed through Southern Thailand and the Malay Peninsula on November 8. On the next day, it crossed into the Andaman Sea and lingered there, organizing further throughout the day, before intensifying into a depression over the Bay of Bengal on November 10, with the IMD designating the system as Depression BOB 09. Soon afterward, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) issued a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert (TCFA) on the system. At 00:00 UTC on November 11, the deep depression strengthened into a cyclonic storm, and was named Gaja. After tracking west-southwestward for a number of days, it made landfall in Tamil Nadu, on November 16. The storm survived crossing over into the Arabian Sea later that day; however, it degenerated into a remnant low in hostile conditions only several days later, on November 20. On the next day, the storm's remnants dissipated near Socotra.[citation needed]
In India, 52 people were killed by the storm.[58] Damage nationwide was about ₹5,400 crore (US$775 million).[59]
An area of convection developed in the southern Bay of Bengal on December 13. The disturbance was forecasted having little chance to develop; however, the storm's convection persisted and organized, resulting in the storm being classified as Depression BOB 10. The depression gradually organized and intensified into a deep depression on December 14. Within 24 hours, the deep depression attained 3-minute sustained winds of 40mph, and the storm was named Phethai. Phethai steadily strengthened and on December 16, Phethai peaked with 65mph winds and at severe cyclonic storm status. The storm steadily weakened and made landfall at Katrenikona on December 17, with 3-minute sustained winds of 50mph. Phethai rapidly weakened as it traversed Andhra Pradesh, and finally dissipated over a tropical rainforest south west of Kolkata.[citation needed]
Eight people were reported dead after Phethai,[60] and the agricultural damage in Andhra Pradesh was estimated at ₹294.54 crore (US$41.1 million).[61][62]
Storm names
Within this basin, a tropical cyclone is assigned a name when it is judged to have reached Cyclonic Storm intensity, with winds of 65km/h (40mph). The names were selected by members of the ESCAP/WMO panel on Tropical Cyclones between 2000 and May 2004, before the Regional Specialized Meteorological Center in New Delhi started to assign names in September 2004. There is no retirement of tropical cyclone names in this basin, as the list of names is only scheduled to be used once before a new list of names is drawn up. Should a named tropical cyclone move into the basin from the Western Pacific, then it will retain its original name. The next eight available names from the List of North Indian Ocean storm names are below.
This is a table of all storms in the 2018 North Indian Ocean cyclone season. It mentions all of the season's storms and their names, duration, peak intensities (according to the IMD storm scale), damage, and death totals. Damage and death totals include the damage and deaths caused when that storm was a precursor wave or extratropical low, and all of the damage figures are in 2018 USD.
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 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 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.
The 2002 West Bengal cyclone was a deadly tropical cyclone that affected India and Bangladesh in November 2002. The sixth tropical cyclone and fourth cyclonic storm of the 2002 North Indian Ocean cyclone season, it developed in the Bay of Bengal northeast of Sri Lanka on November 10, as a tropical depression. After tracking northeast, the system strengthened into a cyclonic storm on November 11, as maximum sustained winds exceeded 65 km/h (40 mph). On November 12, it further intensified into a severe cyclonic storm. Later that day, the storm made landfall on Sagar Island in West Bengal with winds of 100 km/h (60 mph). After moving inland, it rapidly weakened and dissipated over Bangladesh on November 12.
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.
The 2016 North Indian Ocean cyclone season was an event in the annual cycle of tropical cyclone formation. It was the deadliest season since 2010, killing more than 400 people. The season was an average one, seeing four named storms, with one further intensifying into a very severe cyclonic storm. The first named storm, Roanu, developed on 19 May while the season's last named storm, Vardah, dissipated on 18 December. 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 2019 North Indian Ocean cyclone season was the second most active North Indian Ocean cyclone season on record in terms of cyclonic storms, the 1992 season was more active according to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center. The season featured 12 depressions, 11 deep depressions, 8 cyclonic storms, 6 severe cyclonic storms, 6 very severe cyclonic storms, 3 extremely severe cyclonic storms, and 1 super cyclonic storm, Kyarr, the first since Cyclone Gonu in 2007. Additionally, it also became the third-costliest season recorded in the North Indian Ocean, only behind the 2020 and 2008 seasons.
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.
Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm Mekunu was the strongest storm to strike Oman's Dhofar Governorate since 1959. The second named storm of the 2018 North Indian Ocean cyclone season, Mekunu developed out of a low-pressure area on May 21. It gradually intensified, passing east of Socotra on May 23 as a very intense tropical cyclone. On May 25, Mekunu reached its peak intensity. The India Meteorological Department estimated 10 minute sustained winds of 175 km/h (110 mph), making Mekunu an extremely severe cyclonic storm. The American-based Joint Typhoon Warning Center estimated slightly higher 1 minute winds of 185 km/h (115 mph). While at peak intensity, Mekunu made landfall near Raysut, Oman, on May 25. The storm rapidly weakened over land, dissipating on May 27.
The 2021 North Indian Ocean cyclone season was an average season, the North Indian Ocean cyclone season has no official bounds, but cyclones tend to form between April and December, peaking between May and November. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the northern Indian Ocean. The season began on April 2, when a depression designated as BOB 01 was formed in the north Andaman Sea and quickly made landfall in Myanmar. The basin remained quiet for over a month before Cyclone Tauktae formed. It rapidly intensified into an extremely severe cyclonic storm before making landfall in Gujarat, become the strongest storm ever to strike that state since the 1998 Gujarat cyclone. Later that month, BOB 02 formed and later strengthened into Cyclone Yaas. Yaas rapidly intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm before making landfall in northwestern Odisha. The season's strongest tropical cyclone was Cyclone Tauktae, with maximum wind speeds of 185 km/h (115 mph) and a minimum barometric pressure of 950 hPa (28.05 inHg).
The 2022 North Indian Ocean cyclone season was an event in the annual cycle of tropical cyclone formation. It was an above-average season in terms of depressions and average in terms of deep depressions, but slightly below average in terms of cyclonic storms. It was also the least deadly North Indian Ocean cyclone season since 1988, according to official data. The season's strongest tropical cyclone was Cyclone Asani, with maximum wind speeds of 100 km/h and a minimum barometric pressure of 982 hPa. The North Indian Ocean cyclone season has no official bounds, but cyclones tend to form between 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.
Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Luban was the third tropical cyclone to affect the Arabian Peninsula during the 2018 North Indian Ocean cyclone season, after cyclones Sagar and Mekunu in May. Luban developed on October 6 in the central Arabian Sea, and for much of its duration, maintained a general west-northwestward trajectory. On October 10, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) upgraded Luban to a very severe cyclonic storm – equivalent to a Category 1 hurricane – and estimated maximum sustained winds of 140 km/h (85 mph). The storm made landfall on October 14 in eastern Yemen, as a cyclonic storm. The storm quickly weakened over the dry, mountainous terrain of the Arabian Peninsula, before dissipating on October 15.
Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Titli was a deadly and destructive tropical cyclone that caused extensive damage to Eastern India in October 2018. Titli was the twelfth depression and fifth named storm to form in the 2018 North Indian Ocean cyclone season. Titli originated from a low pressure area in the Andaman Sea on October 7. With warm sea surface temperatures and low wind shear, the low developed into a depression on October 8 in the central Bay of Bengal. It was tracked and followed by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), which also issued warnings and notices for the public. Titli continued to intensify at it moved toward the southeast Indian coast, becoming a very severe cyclonic storm, equivalent to a minimal hurricane on the Saffir–Simpson scale. It attained the intensity at the same time Cyclone Luban in the Arabian Sea was at the same intensity, marking the first instance since 1977 of simultaneous storms. The IMD estimated peak winds of 150 km/h (95 mph), while the American-based Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) estimated peak winds of 195 km/h (120 mph). Late on October 10, Titli made landfall in Andhra Pradesh, and it quickly weakened over land as it turned to the northeast. It degenerated into a remnant low on October 12.
Severe Cyclonic Storm Phethai was a tropical cyclone which affected some portions of Sri Lanka and India during December 2018. The fourteenth depression, ninth deep depression, seventh cyclonic storm, and fifth severe cyclonic storm of the 2018 North Indian Ocean cyclone season, Phethai developed from an area of low pressure that formed over the Bay of Bengal on December 13. Having forecasted not to develop significantly, the depression then strengthened to a deep depression later that day before becoming a cyclonic storm on December 15. Phethai further intensified and peaked to a severe cyclonic storm, the following day. The system then steadily weakened due to land interaction and increasing wind shear, before making landfall as a disorganized system over Andhra Pradesh on December 17. It degenerated to an area of low-pressure inland later that day.
The 2018 North Indian Ocean cyclone season was an above-average period of tropical cyclone formation in the Northern Indian Ocean. The season featured 14 depressions, 10 deep depressions, 7 cyclonic storms, 5 severe cyclonic storms, 4 very severe cyclonic storms, and 1 extremely severe cyclonic storm. The season has no official boundaries, though storms typically form between April and December, with peaks in tropical cyclone activity from May–June and in November.
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