Cyclone Midhili

Last updated
Map key
Saffir–Simpson scale
  Tropical depression (≤38 mph, ≤62 km/h)
  Tropical storm (39–73 mph, 63–118 km/h)
  Category 1 (74–95 mph, 119–153 km/h)
  Category 2 (96–110 mph, 154–177 km/h)
  Category 3 (111–129 mph, 178–208 km/h)
  Category 4 (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h)
  Category 5 (≥157 mph, ≥252 km/h)
  Unknown
Storm type
Disc Plain black.svg Tropical cyclone
Solid black.svg Subtropical cyclone
ArrowUp.svg Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression

On 14 November, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) noted a low-pressure area formed over the southeastern Bay of Bengal, near the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and tracked west-northwest. [2] Early on the next day, the IMD designated it as a depression. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) also noted the low on the same day. The system benefited from strong poleward outflow, warm sea surface temperature of 28–29 °C (82–84 °F) and low wind shear. Despite the center was partly exposed, the JTWC believed that the system would become a tropical cyclone in a day or two. [4] The system gradually turned northward on that day. [2] Early on 16 November, the IMD upgraded the system to a deep depression as it turned north-northeast. [2] Despite the center became completely exposed due to strong wind shear, the JTWC still issued a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert to the system. [5] The JTWC upgraded it to a tropical storm and designated as 07B. [6] At 00:00 UTC 17 November, the IMD upgraded the system to a cyclonic storm, and assigned the name Midhili. [2] The circulation appeared to be slightly elongated, but deep convection burst over the northern part of the cyclone. [6] Strong wind shear continued to affect Midhili, but warm waters and strong poleward outflow allowed the cyclone to strengthen slightly. Midhili accelerated northeastward as it situated at the western edge of a subtropical ridge. [7] Although the cyclone remained disorganised, the IMD upgraded Midhili to a severe cyclonic storm at 09:00 UTC. [2] Between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. BST (09:00 and 10:00 UTC), Midhili made landfall near Khepupara at peak intensity. [8] Midhili weakened immediately after landfall, and the cyclone weakened to a cyclonic storm at 12:00 UTC, while the JTWC issued its final warning three hours later. [2] [9] Midhili weakened to a depression early on 18 November, and soon dissipated over Tripura, India. [2]

Preparations

A map from the Emergency Response Coordination Centre about the potential impacts of Midhili ECDM 20231117 TC MIDHILI.pdf
A map from the Emergency Response Coordination Centre about the potential impacts of Midhili

As Midhili approached, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) issued the Danger Signal No. 6 for Port of Chittagong, and issued the Danger Signal No. 7 for the Port of Payra and Port of Mongla on 17 November, warned that winds of 62–88 km/h (39–55 mph) was expected to affect the ports. [10] [11] The Chittagong Port Authority issued an alert No. 3, which required suspension of cargo loading and unloading. Large vessels were sent to outer anchorage while lighter vessels remained anchored at a safer location. [12] The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority announced that all inland waterways were closed and water travels were suspended on 17 November to avoid any accidents during the cyclone. [13] 700 people in St. Martin's Island and Teknaf were stranded. [14]

In Agartala, five flights were cancelled in Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport on 17 November, while four flights were not allowed to land and needed to turn around. [15] Over 500 people were stranded at the airport. [16]

Impact

Bangladesh

Midhili made landfall in southern Bangladesh in the afternoon (local time) of 17 November. Winds reached 102 km/h (63 mph) in Patuakhali. Bhola recorded 249 mm (9.8 in) in 24 hours, the highest rainfall across the nation. Chandpur and Barisal recorded 24-hour rainfall of 232 mm (9.1 in) and 221 mm (8.7 in) respectively. [17] Ten people were reported dead after the cyclone. [18] In Cox's Bazar, a mud wall collapsed due to heavy rains and killed four people. [19] In Sandwip Upazila, an elderly man was dead after being hit by a fallen tree branch. [20] A girl in Mirsharai Upazila was killed by a fallen tree at her home. [21] A businessperson died in Basail Upazila, also due to a fallen tree. [22] 300 fishermen on 20 fishing trawlers were missing in the Bay of Bengal after going out to the deep sea to catch fish. [23] The Bangladesh Navy rescued numerous fisherman, though 25 of them were still missing as of 8 December. [24] [25] In Comilla, a young man was found dead after the lighter vessel carrying stones capsized due to Midhili. [26] Two more people were killed by a fallen tree in the city. [24]

Heavy rains from Midhili triggered flooding in Bangladesh. In Bhola District, 4,321 ha (10,680 acres) of crops were destroyed, which incurred a loss of ৳800 million (US$7.23 million). A farmer revealed that 20% of the Aman paddy was damaged by floodwaters. [27] Nearly 500 houses were damaged or destroyed in the district. [28] According to the Ministry of Agriculture, a total of 243,294 ha (601,190 acres) of crops were damaged, which affected 163,449 farmers and resulted in a loss of ৳3.87 billion (US$35 million). [18] In Chandpur, a large tree fell down and broke the electric wires, which interrupted the vechicles and train services. A road near the Kazirbag Eco-Park was blocked by a fallen tree, which temporary interrupted train services and road communication. [29] Numerous places experienced power outages, including Noakhali, Barguna District, Cox’s Bazar, and Jhalokathi District. [29] [30] 1,111 houses were damaged across the nation, and 132 others were destroyed. [24] Brickfields in Bangladesh suffered severe damage from Midhili, and the loss was amounted to ৳12 billion (US$109 million). [31]

Northeast India

The remnants of Midhili brought rainfalls to Tripura, over 100,000 farmers were affected. They blamed the inadequate warnings from the local meteorological department and asked for compensation. [32] 339 houses were damaged, in which 12 of them were destroyed. Total damage statewide was unknown, but no fatalities were reported. [33]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ The name "Midhili" was contributed by the Maldives, which means a huge tree. [3]

References

  1. 1 2 Hossain, Sohrab (13 December 2024). "25 fishermen still missing for a year". The Daily Star. Retrieved 13 December 2024.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Severe Cyclonic Storm “MIDHILI” over the Bay of Bengal (15th-18th November, 2023): A Report (PDF). Cyclone Warning Division. Indian Meteorological Department (Report). 10 June 2024. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
  3. ↑ "Cyclonic Storm 'Midhili' Forms Over Bay, 190KM Off Odisha Coast; Know Who Named It & The Meaning". Odisha Bytes. 17 November 2023. Archived from the original on 17 November 2023. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
  4. ↑ "Significant Tropical Weather Advisory For the Indian Ocean 15 November 18z". Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 15 November 2023. Archived from the original on 2 September 2024. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  5. ↑ "Significant Tropical Weather Advisory For the Indian Ocean 16 November 0730z (Reissued)". Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 16 November 2023. Archived from the original on 2 September 2024. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  6. 1 2 "Prognostic Reasoning For Tropical Cyclone 07B (SEVEN) Warning Nr 001". Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 16 November 2023. Archived from the original on 2 September 2024. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
  7. ↑ "Prognostic Reasoning For Tropical Cyclone 07B (Midhili) Warning Nr 003". Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 17 November 2023. Archived from the original on 2 September 2024. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
  8. ↑ TROPICAL CYCLONE ADVISORY NO. 5 FOR NORTH INDIAN OCEAN (THE BAY OF BENGAL AND ARABIAN SEA (PDF). Indian Meteorological Department (Report). 17 November 2023. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
  9. ↑ "Tropical Cyclone 07B (Midhili) Warning Nr 004". Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 17 November 2023. Archived from the original on 2 September 2024. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
  10. ↑ "Chattogram Port suspends cargo handling as Cyclone Midhili hits coast". bdnews24.com. 17 November 2023. Archived from the original on 18 November 2023. Retrieved 18 November 2023.
  11. ↑ "Cyclone Midhili: Payra, Mongla port advised to hoist danger signal no 7". Dhaka Tribune. 17 November 2023. Archived from the original on 17 November 2023. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
  12. ↑ "Cyclone Midhili makes landfall along Bangladesh coast". Daily Sun. 17 November 2023. Archived from the original on 18 November 2023. Retrieved 18 November 2023.
  13. ↑ "Cyclone Midhili: Traffic suspended on inland waterways". Somoy TV. 17 November 2023. Archived from the original on 1 December 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  14. ↑ "Cyclone Midhili: 700 stranded tourists return from Saint Martin's Island". Dhaka Tribune. 18 November 2023. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
  15. ↑ Dey, Abhishek (17 November 2023). "Cyclone "Midhili" disrupts air services in Tripura, Sushanta takes swift action". Tripura Chronicle. Archived from the original on 22 May 2024. Retrieved 18 November 2023.
  16. ↑ "Cyclonic Storm "Midhili": Over 500 stranded at Agartala airport after flights cancelled". IndiaTodayNE. 17 November 2023. Archived from the original on 30 November 2023. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
  17. ↑ "5 die as cyclone Midhili hits coast with heavy rain". New Age. 17 November 2023. Archived from the original on 17 November 2023. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
  18. 1 2 "Frequent cyclones hit agriculture hard in coastal Bangladesh". New Age. 29 November 2023. Archived from the original on 29 November 2023. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
  19. ↑ "5 killed as Cyclone Midhili crosses coast". Daily Star. 17 November 2023. Archived from the original on 17 November 2023. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
  20. ↑ "One killed as Cyclone Midhili batters Sandwip". Daily Star. 17 November 2023. Archived from the original on 17 November 2023. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
  21. ↑ "Cyclone Midhili: 2 killed in Chittagong as tree falls on them". Dhaka Tribune. 17 November 2023. Retrieved 18 November 2023.
  22. ↑ "Cyclone Midhili: Falling tree, branch kill elderly man, child in Chattogram". The Business Standard. 17 November 2023. Archived from the original on 17 November 2023. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
  23. ↑ "Cyclone Midhili: 300 fishermen go missing in Bay of Bengal". Dhaka Tribune. 17 November 2023. Archived from the original on 17 November 2023. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
  24. 1 2 3 "Cyclone Midhili leaves trail of destruction, triggers flash flood in Bangladesh". New Age. 19 November 2023. Archived from the original on 19 November 2023. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
  25. ↑ "25 fishermen still missing after 20 days". Prothom Alo. 8 December 2023. Archived from the original on 9 December 2023. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
  26. ↑ "Cyclone Midhili: Body of missing youth recovered from Sitakunda". Dhaka Tribune. 19 November 2023. Archived from the original on 10 January 2024. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
  27. ↑ "Cyclone Midhili damaged crops worth taka 80 crore in Bhola". The Daily Messager. 24 November 2023. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
  28. ↑ "Cyclone Midhili destroys 500 homes in Bhola". Dhaka Tribune. 17 November 2023. Archived from the original on 7 January 2024. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
  29. 1 2 "Cyclone Midhili leaves at least seven dead". Prothom Alo. 18 November 2023. Archived from the original on 19 November 2023. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
  30. ↑ "Jhalakhati out of power for 29 hrs after national grid cable severed in cyclone". Prothom Alo. 18 November 2023. Archived from the original on 19 November 2023. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
  31. ↑ Hossain, Sohrab; Chakma, Jagaran (23 November 2023). "Brickfields count losses of Tk 1,200cr for cyclone". The Daily Star. Archived from the original on 23 December 2023. Retrieved 23 December 2023.
  32. ↑ Chakraborty, Tanmoy (20 November 2023). "Cyclone Midhili: Tripura AIKS demands compensation for over one lakh farmers facing severe losses". IndiaToday NE. Archived from the original on 30 November 2023. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
  33. ↑ "'Midhili' damages 339 houses across Tripura". Tripura Times. 18 November 2023. Archived from the original on 4 December 2023. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
Severe Cyclonic Storm Midhili
Midhili 2023-11-17 0100Z.jpg
Cyclone Midhili approaching Bangladesh early on 17 November
Tropical cyclones of the 2023 North Indian Ocean cyclone season
2023 North Indian Ocean cyclone season summary.png
D
BOB 01
ESCS
Mocha
ESCS
Biparjoy
TS
03B
DD
BOB 03
D
ARB 02
ESCS
Tej
VSCS
Hamoon
CS
Midhili
SCS
Michaung
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.