A Severe Cyclonic Storm is a category used by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to classify tropical cyclones, within the North Indian Ocean tropical cyclone basin between the Malay Peninsula and the Arabian Peninsula. Within the basin, a severe cyclonic storm is defined as a tropical cyclone that has 3-minute mean maximum sustained wind speeds of between 48–63 knots (89–117 km/h ; 55–72 mph ). The category was historically used to classify all tropical cyclones with winds above 48 knots (89 km/h ; 55 mph ), however, it was bifurcated during 1988, when the IMD introduced a new category called Severe Cyclonic Storm with a core of hurricane winds. This new category was later further refined into Very Severe Cyclonic Storms, Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storms and Super Cyclonic Storms during 1999 and 2015.
The North Indian Ocean tropical cyclone basin is located to the north of the Equator, and encompasses the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea, between the Malay Peninsula and the Arabian Peninsula. [1] [2] The basin is officially monitored by the India Meteorological Department's Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre in New Delhi, however, other national meteorological services such as the Bangladesh and Pakistan Meteorological Department's also monitor the basin. [1] [2]
The Severe Cyclonic Storm category was historically used to classify all tropical cyclones with winds above 48 knots (89 km/h ; 55 mph ), however, it was bifurcated during 1988, when the IMD introduced a new category called Severe Cyclonic Storm with a core of hurricane winds for all systems above 64 knots (119 km/h ; 74 mph ). [2] This new category was later further refined into Very Severe Cyclonic Storms, Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storms and Super Cyclonic Storms during 1999 and 2015. [2] As a result, Severe Cyclonic Storms are currently estimated, to have 3-minute sustained wind speeds of between 48–64 kn (89–119 km/h; 55–74 mph). [1]
Name | Dates as a severe cyclonic storm | Duration | Sustained wind speeds | Pressure | Areas affected | Deaths | Damage (USD) | Refs |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Unnamed | May 15 – 18, 1967 | Not Specified | Not Specified | 982 hPa (29.00 inHg) | [3] | |||
Unnamed | December 12 – 17, 1968 | Not Specified | 70 mph (110 km/h) | 996 hPa (29.41 inHg) | [4] | |||
Unnamed | May 28 – June 2, 1970 | Not Specified | 60 mph (95 km/h) | 986 hPa (29.12 inHg) | Saudi Arabia | [5] | ||
Unnamed | June 5, 1971 | 12 hours | Not Specified | 976 hPa (28.82 inHg) | West Bengal | [6] | ||
Unnamed | October 31 – November 1, 1971 | 1 day | 70 mph (110 km/h) | 992 hPa (29.29 inHg) | Somalia | [6] | ||
Unnamed | November 5 – 6, 1971 | 1 day | 70 mph (110 km/h) | 992 hPa (29.29 inHg) | [6] | |||
Hatia | November 16 – 17, 1973 | 2 days | 65 mph (100 km/h) | 994 hPa (29.35 inHg) | Bangladesh | [7] | ||
Unnamed | December 7 – 9, 1973 | 2 days | 70 mph (110 km/h) | 992 hPa (29.29 inHg) | [7] | |||
Patuakhali | May 30 – June 1, 1974 | 1 day | 60 mph (95 km/h) | 986 hPa (29.12 inHg) | [8] | |||
Unnamed | September 24 – 24, 1974 | 1 day | 70 mph (110 km/h) | 990 hPa (29.23 inHg) | [8] | |||
Paradip | September 27 – 30, 1974 | 3 days | 60 mph (95 km/h) | 986 hPa (29.12 inHg) | [8] | |||
Chittagong | November 25 – 29, 1974 | 4 days | 70 mph (110 km/h) | 985 hPa (29.09 inHg) | [8] | |||
Unnamed | November 26 – 27, 1975 | 1 day | 70 mph (110 km/h) | 992 hPa (29.29 inHg) | [9] | |||
Unnamed | April 29 – May 3, 1976 | Not Specified | 70 mph (110 km/h) | 986 hPa (29.12 inHg) | [10] | |||
Unnamed | October 12 – 18, 1976 | Not Specified | 60 mph (95 km/h) | 998 hPa (29.47 inHg) | [10] | |||
Unnamed | November 15 – 17, 1976 | Not Specified | 70 mph (110 km/h) | 992 hPa (29.29 inHg) | [10] | |||
Unnamed | May 11 - 12, 1977 | 1 day | 70 mph (110 km/h) | 984 hPa (29.06 inHg) | [11] | |||
Kavali | October 31 - November 1, 1977 | 1 day | 65 mph (100 km/h) | 996 hPa (29.41 inHg) | [11] | |||
Unnamed | June 19 - 20, 1979 | 1 day | 65 mph (100 km/h) | 980 hPa (28.94 inHg) | [12] | |||
Unnamed | June 19 - 20, 1979 | 1 day | 65 mph (100 km/h) | 980 hPa (28.94 inHg) | [12] | |||
Unnamed | August 7 - 8, 1979 | 1 day | 65 mph (100 km/h) | 971 hPa (28.67 inHg) | [12] | |||
Unnamed | September 25 - 26, 1981 | 1 day | 65 mph (100 km/h) | 983 hPa (29.03 inHg) | Orissa | [13] | ||
BOB 09 | October 16, 1982 | 12 hours | 65 mph (100 km/h) | Not Specified | [14] | |||
BOB 10 | October 16, 1982 | 12 hours | 65 mph (100 km/h) | 982 hPa (29.00 inHg) | [14] | |||
Herbert | October 14 - 15, 1983 | 12 hours | 65 mph (100 km/h) | Not Specified | [14] | |||
BOB 07 | November 2 - 3, 1987 | 1 day 3 hours | 65 mph (100 km/h) | 984 hPa (29.06 inHg) | [14] | |||
BOB 08 | November 12, 1987 | 12 hours | 65 mph (100 km/h) | 990 hPa (29.23 inHg) | [14] | |||
BOB 06 | October 19, 1988 | 12 hours | 65 mph (100 km/h) | Not Specified | [14] | |||
BOB 09 | December 17, 1990 | 21 hours | 65 mph (100 km/h) | Not Specified | Bangladesh, Myanmar | [15] | ||
BOB 07 | November 13, 1992 | 18 hours | 65 mph (100 km/h) | 994 hPa (29.35 inHg) | [14] | |||
ARB 01 | May 7, 1994 | 6 hours | 65 mph (100 km/h) | 980 hPa (28.94 inHg) | [14] | |||
BOB 03 | October 30 - 31, 1994 | 18 hours | 70 mph (110 km/h) | 988 hPa (29.18 inHg) | [14] | |||
ARB 06 | October 23 - 24, 1996 | 1 day 6 hours | 70 mph (110 km/h) | 994 hPa (29.35 inHg) | [14] | |||
BOB 01 | May 19 - 20, 1998 | 21 hours | 70 mph (110 km/h) | 972 hPa (28.70 inHg) | [14] | |||
ARB 10 | December 14 - 16, 1998 | 1 day 18 hours | 65 mph (100 km/h) | 993 hPa (29.32 inHg) | [14] | |||
BOB 01 | February 3, 1999 | 6 hours | 60 mph (95 km/h) | 998 hPa (29.47 inHg) | [14] | |||
BOB 04 | November 12, 2002 | 3 hours | 65 mph (100 km/h) | 990 hPa (29.23 inHg) | [14] | |||
ARB 06 | November 13 - 14, 2003 | 1 day 6 hours | 65 mph (100 km/h) | 990 hPa (29.23 inHg) | [14] | |||
BOB 07 | December 14 - 15, 2003 | 1 day 9 hours | 65 mph (100 km/h) | 990 hPa (29.23 inHg) | [14] | |||
ARB 01 | May 7 - 8, 2004 | 1 day 9 hours | 65 mph (100 km/h) | 984 hPa (29.06 inHg) | [14] | |||
Onil | October 2, 2004 | 15 hours | 65 mph (100 km/h) | 984 hPa (29.06 inHg) | [14] | |||
Agni | November 30, 2004 | 12 hours | 65 mph (100 km/h) | 994 hPa (29.35 inHg) | [14] | |||
Mukda | September 23, 2006 | 9 hours | 65 mph (100 km/h) | 988 hPa (29.18 inHg) | [14] | |||
Aila | May 25, 2009 | 12 hours | 70 mph (110 km/h) | 968 hPa (28.59 inHg) | India, Bangladesh | [16] | ||
Laila | May 19 - 20, 2010 | 1 day 6 hours | 65 mph (100 km/h) | 986 hPa (29.12 inHg) | India | |||
Jal | November 1 – 8, 2010 | 70 mph (110 km/h) | 988 hPa (29.18 inHg) | Thailand, Malaysia, Andaman Islands, India | ||||
Helen | November 19 – 23, 2013 | 6 hours | 65 mph (100 km/h) | 990 hPa (29.23 inHg) | India | |||
Mora | May 29 – 30, 2017 | 21 hours | 70 mph (110 km/h) | 978 hPa (28.88 inHg) | Sri Lanka, Andaman and Nicobar Islands India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Bhutan, Tibet | [14] | ||
Phethai | December 16 – 17, 2018 | 6 hours | 65 mph (100 km/h) | 992 hPa (29.29 inHg) | India | [17] | ||
Nisarga | June 1– 4, 2020 | 70 mph (110 km/h) | 990 hPa (29.23 inHg) | West India | 6 | >$664 million | [18] | |
Shaheen | September 29 – October 4, 2021 | 70 mph (110 km/h) | 986 hPa (29.12 inHg) | India, Pakistan, Iran, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia | 14 | $100 million | ||
Asani | May 8 - 11, 2022 | 75 mph (120 km/h) | 988 hPa (29.18 inHg) | India (Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Odisha, Andaman and Nicobar Islands) | 3 | Unknown | ||
Mandous | ||||||||
Michaung | December 2–5, 2023 | 80 mph (130 km/h) | 988 hPa (29.18 inHg) | India (Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Puducherry) | 17 | [19] |
Month | Number of storms |
---|---|
January | 0 |
February | 1 |
March | 0 |
April | 1 |
May | 10 |
June | 3 |
July | 0 |
August | 2 |
September | 5 |
October | 11 |
November | 17 |
December | 3 |
Period | Number of storms |
---|---|
1950s | 0 |
1960s | 0 |
1970s | 18 |
1980s | 7 |
1990s | 8 |
2000s | 9 |
2010s | 4 |
2020s | 0 |
In the Indian Ocean north of the equator, tropical cyclones can form throughout the year on either side of India, although most frequently between April and June, and between October and December.
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 2007 North Indian Ocean cyclone season was one of the most active North Indian Ocean cyclone seasons on record. 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 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 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 1983 North Indian Ocean cyclone season was part of the 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 (JTWC) releases unofficial advisories. An average of five tropical cyclones 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 1978 Sri Lanka Cyclone was one of the most destructive tropical cyclones to strike Sri Lanka since modern records began. The cyclone formed on November 17, 1978, and attained peak intensity on November 23, 1978, right before making landfall in Batticaloa. Sri Lanka's eastern province was heavily affected by the cyclone.
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 2019 North Indian Ocean cyclone season was the most active North Indian Ocean cyclone season on record, in terms of cyclonic storms, however 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 was also 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.
The 2021 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, 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.
The 1950 North Indian Ocean cyclone season was part of the 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 (JTWC) releases unofficial advisories. An average of five tropical cyclones 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 2023 North Indian Ocean cyclone season is an ongoing 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 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. However, a cyclone can form at any time during the year shown by an unnamed depression that affected Sri Lanka in January-February.