| Hudhud nearing landfall at peak strength on October 12 | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | October 7,2014 |
| Dissipated | October 14,2014 |
| Extremely severe cyclonic storm | |
| 3-minute sustained (IMD) | |
| Highest winds | 185 km/h (115 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 950 hPa (mbar);28.05 inHg |
| Category 4-equivalent tropical cyclone | |
| 1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC) | |
| Highest winds | 215 km/h (130 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 937 hPa (mbar);27.67 inHg |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 124 total |
| Damage | $3.58 billion (2014 USD) |
| Areas affected | |
| IBTrACS | |
Part of the 2014 North Indian Ocean cyclone season | |
Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm Hudhud [a] was a strong tropical cyclone that caused extensive damage and loss of life in eastern India and Nepal during October 2014. Hudhud originated from a low-pressure system that formed under the influence of an upper-air cyclonic circulation in the Andaman Sea on October 6. Hudhud intensified into a cyclonic storm on October 8 and to a Severe Cyclonic Storm on October 9. Hudhud underwent rapid deepening in the following days and was classified as a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm by the IMD. Shortly before landfall near Visakhapatnam,Andhra Pradesh,on October 12,Hudhud reached its peak strength with three-minute wind speeds of 185 km/h (115 mph) and a minimum central pressure of 960 mbar (28.35 inHg). The system then drifted northwards towards Uttar Pradesh and Nepal,causing widespread rains in both areas and heavy snowfall in the latter.
Hudhud caused extensive damage to the city of Visakhapatnam and the neighbouring districts of Vizianagaram and Srikakulam of Andhra Pradesh. Damages were estimated to be ₹ 219 billion (US$3.58 billion) by the Andhra state government. [3] At least 124 deaths have been confirmed,a majority of them from Andhra Pradesh and Nepal,with the latter experiencing an avalanche due to the cyclone.
On 6 October, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) began tracking a low-pressure area that formed over the Gulf of Thailand as a result of a cyclonic circulation. [4] On 7 October, the low-pressure area strengthened into a depression over the northern Andaman Sea. [5] It further strengthened into a deep depression later that day as it moved westwards. [6] The Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) also began tracking the system on 8 October, designating it as tropical cyclone 03B. [7] Later that day, it strengthened into Cyclonic Storm Hudhud before making its first landfall on Long Island in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. [8] Hudhud continued intensifying as it emerged into the eastern Bay of Bengal on 9 October [9] and intensified into a severe cyclonic storm later that day with a minimum three-minute sustained central pressure of 990 mbar (29 inHg). [10] Increased curved banding was also noted that day. [11]
On 10 October, Hudhud strengthened into a very severe cyclonic storm with a three-minute sustained central pressure of 984 mbar (29.1 inHg). [12] Early on October 11, Hudhud entered the radar range of Visakhapatnam while continuing to move northwestwards toward the coast of Andhra Pradesh. Curved banding increased and the appearance of an eye was noted. [13] Amid favorable conditions that day, Hudhud underwent rapid intensification, with a clearly visible eye as it approached northern Andhra Pradesh. Operationally, its central pressure at peak intensity was assessed by the IMD as 960 mbar (28 inHg). [14] In the post-cyclone report, it was reanalyzed to 950 mbar (28 inHg). [15] It maintained its intensity as it stalled southeast of Visakhapatnam. [16] Hudhud made its second and final landfall near Visakhapatnam at peak intensity during the afternoon of 12 October. [17]
After moving over land, Hudhud weakened into a severe cyclonic storm [18] and then a cyclonic storm northwest of Visakhapatnam. [19] It weakened into a deep depression the following day over southern Chhattisgarh. [20] It further weakened into a depression that evening over central Chhattisgarh and persisted northward, weakening into a low pressure area on 14 October over eastern Uttar Pradesh. [15] The weakening remnants of Hudhud then collided with a deepening upper-level trough, resulting in a rare interaction over the Himalayas which produced a heavy amount of moisture. [21]
On 9 October, a heavy rainfall warning was issued for the coasts of northern Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. [22] 44 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams, eight rescue teams, and Indian Army helicopters were deployed across Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. Prime Minister Narendra Modi held an emergency meeting on 11 October to review preparations and relief efforts. [23] In Odisha, 10 Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) teams were deployed and preparations were made to evacuate those living in unsafe houses. District authorities were told to prepare food kitchens and store dry food. [24] Panic buying also occurred in the state on 8 October. [25] Plans to divert 75 trains in the South Central Railway zone were also made, with assistance to stranded passengers. Emergency teams were deployed to the railways, and passengers were told to avoid traveling unless required. [26] In Andhra Pradesh, 111,000 people in coastal districts were evacuated and 370 relief camps were readied. [27] Nine districts were placed under high alert in the state. In coastal districts, two months' worth of food was stocked. [25]
Amid the cyclone's landfall, thousands of homes were damaged, and at least five people were killed in Andhra Pradesh from falling trees and stones. [28] Low-lying coastal areas were inundated by floods after heavy rain, cutting off power lines. People stuck in vehicles on highways were rescued by NDRF and police forces, and debris was strewn across roads. The strong winds also shattered glass throughout the city of Visakhapatnam. Visakhapatnam Airport was also damaged due to the cyclone, with a runway being flooded. All flights from the airport had been suspended beforehand. [29] [30] 500,000 residents were moved to relief camps as a result of Hudhud. [31] 380 mm of rainfall fell in Gantyada in the span of 24 hours on 12-13 October, and storm surge of 1.4 m (4.6 ft) was observed in Visakhapatnam. Hudhud caused 46 deaths and 43 injuries as well as 2,831 livestock deaths in Andhra Pradesh. [15]
In rural southern Odisha, 24 transformers were destroyed and 600 poles were uprooted. 48,000 thatched homes suffered damage and 230,000 people were temporarily moved to shelters following the cyclone. [32] 247,557 hectares of crops were affected and 40,484 hectares out of those suffered a loss of greater than 50%. 670 livestock were also killed. [33] A maximum of 260 mm of precipitation fell in R. Udayagiri in a 24-hour span on 12-13 October. [15] Three deaths were reported in Odisha from Hudhud. [34] [35]
In the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Hudhud uprooted several trees, forcing the closing of the Andaman Trunk Road on 8 October. [25] A total of 210 mm of rain fell in Port Blair in a 24-hour span between 7-8 October. [15] Hudhud also caused heavy rainfall in Chhattisgarh, with 170 mm in Manendragarh in 24 hours on 13-14 October. [36] [15] In Uttar Pradesh, rainfall killed 18 and caused damage to homes and crops. [37]
On 14 October, the remnants of Hudhud caused severe avalanches and blizzards following a merger with an upper-level trough, killing four people on Mount Annapurna, eight in Mustang district, and eight in Manang district. 14 injured climbers were airlifted to hospitals on 15 October. At least 43 were killed due to the snowstorms, with 21 of the fatalities coming from Mount Annapurna. [38] [21] By 18 October, 384 trekkers had been rescued from Mount Annapurna. [39] The mountain saw 1.8 m (5.9 ft) in the span of 12 hours. On 19 October, the search for survivors ended, with close to 400 having been rescued. Many survivors were frostbitten following their rescue, requiring amputation of limbs. [40]
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The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi announced on October 15 that ₹1000 crore (US$163 million) was to be awarded as aid for affected areas in Andhra Pradesh. [41] Also, the JK Tyre FMSCI National Karting Championship Archived 2020-01-04 at the Wayback Machine held by the FMSCI in Vishakapatnam for its final round of the championship had to be postponed. Post-cyclone, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Indian Navy, and other agencies were involved in rescue and relief operations, providing food, water, medical aid, and restoring communication lines.