1989 North Indian Ocean cyclone season

The 1989 North Indian Ocean cyclone season was a below-average 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 (JTWC) releases unofficial advisories. An average of five tropical cyclones form in the North Indian Ocean every season with peaks in May and November.[1] Cyclones occurring between the meridians 45°E and 100°E are included in the season by the IMD.[2]

1989 North Indian Ocean cyclone season
Season summary map
Seasonal boundaries
First system formedMay 23, 1989
Last system dissipatedNovember 10, 1989
Strongest storm
NameGay
 • Maximum winds230 km/h (145 mph)
(3-minute sustained)
 • Lowest pressure930 hPa (mbar)
Seasonal statistics
Depressions10
Cyclonic storms3
Severe cyclonic storms2
Very severe cyclonic storms1
Super cyclonic storms1 (record high, tied with 1977, 1990, 1991, 1999, 2007, 2019 and 2020)
Total fatalities1,785 total
Total damage$25.27 million (1989 USD)
Related articles

Throughout the season, the IMD monitored ten depressions, three of which became cyclonic storms.[3] The strongest storm of the year was Super Cyclonic Storm Gay. Crossing the Malay Peninsula into the Bay of Bengal on November 4, Gay became one of the most powerful systems on record in the basin, attaining an estimated pressure of 930 mbar (hPa; 27.46 inHg). Collectively, the storms were responsible for at least 1,785 fatalities, 1,445 of which were due the disastrous flooding triggered by the July Cyclonic Storm, and more than $25 million in damage.

Systems
Typhoon Gay (1989)

Severe Cyclonic Storm BOB 01/01B
Severe cyclonic storm (IMD)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
 
DurationMay 23 – May 27
Peak intensity100 km/h (65 mph) (1-min)  984 hPa (mbar)

In mid-May, a monsoon trough situated over the Bay of Bengal began showing signs of cyclonic development. By May 20, synoptic data indicated the presence of a weak circulation; however, the system remained disorganized. Following a dramatic increase in convection and organization, the JTWC issued a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert on May 23 and subsequently began monitoring the system as a tropical depression hours later. Initially, the depression tracked slowly towards the north-northwest before abruptly turning westward and slowing due to weak mid-level steering currents. During this time, the storm gradually intensified and was limited by northwesterly wind shear. By May 26, the storm turned northward and accelerated. Later that day, 01B attained its peak intensity with winds of 100 km/h (65 mph) shortly before making landfall in eastern India. The system quickly weakened once inland and was last noted on May 27 as a dissipating low.[4]

Striking India on May 26, the storm brought wind gusts up to 130 km/h (80 mph) and torrential rains, amounting to 210 mm (8.3 in), which caused widespread damage.[5][6] The hardest hit area was Midnapore where more than 10,000 homes were destroyed. At least 17 people were killed in the district alone and more than 50,000 were left homeless.[5] Communications across Orissa were severely disrupted as broadcast stations, government buildings, and hundreds of telephone poles were destroyed.[6] Further inland, heavy rains from the storm triggered several landslides that killed at least two people in Darjeeling Hills.[7] Throughout eastern India, 61 people were killed and more than 500,000 were left homeless by the storm.[8][9]

In nearby Bangladesh, strong winds produced by the storm destroyed 500 homes across 11 villages.[5] Areas devastated by a tornado a month prior were severely affected by the cyclone. In Tangail, a powerful tornado spawned by the storm destroyed 2,000 homes and killed 10 people.[8] At least 60 people perished and 2,000 others were injured across the country.[8][10] Offshore, 150 fishermen went missing during the storm and were feared dead.[11] In the wake of the storm, widespread search and rescue missions took place in cities flattened by the cyclone.[12]

Depression ARB 01/02A
Depression (IMD)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
 
DurationJune 7 – June 13
Peak intensity65 km/h (40 mph) (1-min)  996 hPa (mbar)

On June 7, small area of low pressure developed off the west coast of India. Over the following two days, convection associated with the low gradually organized and by June 9, satellite intensity estimates from the JTWC reached 55 km/h (30 mph). A TCFA was subsequently issued for the system before it made landfall in Gujarat early on June 10. Although overland, the low maintained significant convection as it turned westward and through its re-emergence into the Arabian Sea on June 11. Once back over water, convection rapidly spread westward in response to an anticyclone over the Arabian Peninsula and Afghanistan. Early on June 12, the cyclone was estimated to have attained tropical storm status based on a ship report near the center of 65 km/h (40 mph) sustained winds and a surface pressure of 998 mbar (hPa; 29.47 inHg). Later that day, strong wind shear stemming from the anticyclone displaced convection from the tropical storm by more than 110 km (70 mi), prompting the final advisory from the JTWC. The remnants of the system were last noted on June 13, dissipating over the Arabian Sea.[13]

Cyclonic Storm BOB 04
Cyclonic storm (IMD)
 
DurationJuly 22 – July 25
Peak intensityWinds not specified 

On July 22, the IMD began monitoring a depression over the Bay of Bengal. Tracking west-northwest, the system intensified into a cyclonic storm later that day before making landfall in Andhra Pradesh, just north of Vishakhapatnam. Once onshore the storm accelerated towards the northwest and weakened. By July 24, the remnants of the cyclone were located over the state of Maharashtra. The system was last noted the following day over Gujarat and moving into Pakistan.[14]

Across Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, and Uttar Pradesh heavy rains produced by the storm triggered flash flooding and mudslides that killed at least 414 people.[15] According to Chief Minister Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao, approximately 70,000 homes were destroyed in Andhra Pradesh. While over Maharashtra, the storm produced torrential rainfall, reaching 280 mm (11 in) in 24 hours in Bombay, which caused deadly flash flooding and mudslides.[16] Most of the railway tracks in metropolitan Bombay were left underwater, paralyzing the city and forcing businesses to close for several days. The city's stock exchange remained open, though only sparse trading was observed.[17] Flood waters isolated 46 villages in the region, prompting the deployment of the Indian Army for rescue missions.[16] At least 500 people were killed throughout Maharashtra, more than 200 of which took place in the Raigad district.[18][19] An unknown number of people were killed after a bridge collapsed with two train carriages on it.[17] Additionally, 75 others were reported missing in the district according to local police.[18] Offshore, 500 fishermen went missing in connection to the storm and are believed to have died.[20]

Flooding rains extended into Pakistan by July 26.[21] Flash floods in the slums outside Karachi killed at least 16 people and washed away 500 huts. An estimated 20,000 people were left homeless in the city. Communication and transportation throughout Karachi was reportedly paralyzed as well due to widespread power outages. Further north in Hyderabad, six others were killed by the storm.[22] Throughout the country, at least 31 people were killed.[23]

Super Cyclonic Storm Gay
Super cyclonic storm (IMD)
Category 5 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
 
DurationNovember 4 (entered basin) – November 10
Peak intensity230 km/h (145 mph) (3-min)  930 hPa (mbar)
Main article: Typhoon Gay (1989)

On November 2, a tropical depression, later named Gay, developed in the Gulf of Thailand and favorable atmospheric conditions allowed the system to undergo rapid intensification. By November 3, Gay had intensified to a Category 3-equivalent typhoon before striking Thailand.[24] Crossing the Kra Isthmus in approximately six hours, the system emerged into the Bay of Bengal as a Category 1-equivalent cyclone and assumed a west-northwesterly track towards India. For the next four days, the storm gradually reorganized before reaching a small area favorable for more significant intensification late on November 6. Hours before making landfall in India, Gay attained its peak intensity as a Category 5-equivalent cyclone with winds estimated at 260 km/h (160 mph).[24] Additionally, the IMD estimated that the storm had three-minute sustained winds of 240 km/h (145 mph), classifying Gay as a modern-day Super Cyclonic Storm.[25][26] The powerful storm soon made landfall near Kavali, India, in Andhra Pradesh before rapidly weakening onshore. The system eventually dissipated over Maharashtra on November 10.[24]

In Thailand, the storm caused extensive damage both onshore and off, killing 833 people and inflicting approximately ฿11 billion (US$497 million) in damage.[27][28] Striking India as a powerful cyclone, Gay damaged or destroyed about 20,000 homes in Andhra Pradesh, leaving 100,000 people homeless.[29] In that country, 69 deaths and ₹410 million (US$25.3 million) in damage were attributed to Gay.[30][31]

Other systems

In addition to the storms listed above, the IMD monitored six other depressions throughout the year.

  • June 12 – 14
Formed in the northern Bay of Bengal and made landfall in Orissa, India.[14]
  • June 20 – 21
Formed in the northern Bay of Bengal and made landfall in West Bengal, India.[14]
  • August 16 – 17
Formed in the Bay of Bengal and made landfall in Andhra Pradesh, India.[14]
  • October 17 – 18
Formed in the Bay of Bengal and made landfall near the India/Bangladesh border.[14] In Bangladesh, heavy rains and high winds, estimated at 60 to 70 km/h (37 to 43 mph), caused significant damage. At least 100 people were injured and 1,000 homes were damaged or destroyed, mainly in the Chandpur District. Following the storm, the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society dispatched four medical teams and relief materials to the affected regions.[32]
  • November 11
Brief depression formed over the Bay of Bengal before dissipating just north of Sri Lanka the same day.[14]
  • November 17 – 20
A slow moving depression formed over the Bay of Bengal, northeast of Sri Lanka, and meandered in the same general area for three days before dissipating.[14]
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See also

References
  1. "Frequently Asked Questions: What is the annual frequency of Cyclones over the Indian Seas? What is its intra-annual variation?". Indian Meteorological Department. 2012. Archived from the original on May 21, 2015. Retrieved June 8, 2012.
  2. "Bulletins Issued by Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre (RSMC) - Tropical Cyclones, New Delhi" (PDF). India Meteorological Department. May 25, 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-04-12. Retrieved July 16, 2012.
  3. "Annual frequency of cyclonic disturbances (Maximum sustained windspeeds of 17 knots or more), Cyclones (34 knots or more) and Severe Cyclones (48 knots or more) over the Bay of Bengal (BOB), Arabian Sea (AS) and land surface of India" (PDF). India Meteorological Department. August 31, 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 5, 2011. Retrieved March 25, 2012.
  4. Lt. Cdr. Nicholas D. Gural (1990). "1989 Annual Tropical Cyclone Report: Tropical Cyclone 01B" (PDF). Joint Typhoon Warning Center. United States Navy. pp. 188–189. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 21, 2013. Retrieved March 25, 2012.
  5. "32 Killed, Thousands Homeless in Cyclone". Calcutta, India: Associated Press. May 27, 1989. (Accessed through LexisNexis)
  6. "Cyclone causes widespread damage in India's Orissa coast". New Delhi, India: Xinhua General News. May 27, 1989. (Accessed through LexisNexis)
  7. "Death toll in cyclone rises to 26 in India". New Delhi, India: Xinhua General News. May 29, 1989. (Accessed through LexisNexis)
  8. "Cyclone Kills 60, Leaves 500,000 Homeless". Dhaka, Bangladesh: Associated Press. May 28, 1989. (Accessed through LexisNexis)
  9. "Historical records of Severe Cyclones which formed in the Bay of Bengal and made landfall at the eastern coast of India during the period from 1970-1999". India Meteorological Department. 1999. Archived from the original on July 17, 2015. Retrieved March 25, 2012.
  10. "Fifty Killed in Cyclone: Toll to Rise". Associated Press. Courier-Mail. May 29, 1989. (Accessed through LexisNexis)
  11. "Cyclone Kills Scores in Bangladesh". Dhaka, Bangladesh: Associated Press. May 29, 1989. (Accessed through LexisNexis)
  12. "Workers Search Rubble in Dhaka After Cyclone". Associated Press. Dhaka, Bangladesh: St. Louis Post-Dispatch. May 29, 1989. p. 8A. (Accessed through LexisNexis)
  13. Lt. Richard H. Bouchard (1990). "1989 Annual Tropical Cyclone Report: Tropical Cyclone 02B" (PDF). Joint Typhoon Warning Center. United States Navy. pp. 190–191. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 21, 2013. Retrieved June 8, 2012.
  14. "Cyclone Web Atlas". Cyclone Warning & Research Centre, Regional Meteorological Centre. Chennai, India: India Meteorological Department. 2012. Retrieved June 7, 2012.
  15. "Ships look for 2,000 missing in floods". Agence France-Presse. Bombay, India: The Independent. July 27, 1989. (Accessed through LexisNexis)
  16. "Downpours in Western India Kill at Least 100". Associated Press. Bombay, India. July 24, 1989. (Accessed through LexisNexis)
  17. Ajoy Bose (July 27, 1989). "Hundreds feared dead in Indian monsoon flooding". New Delhi, India: The Guardian. (Accessed through LexisNexis)
  18. "Death Toll From Storm Tops 450". Associated Press. Bombay, India. July 25, 1989. (Accessed through LexisNexis)
  19. "750 killed as flood situation worsens". The Times of India. New Delhi, India: Xinhua General News. July 26, 1989. (Accessed through LexisNexis)
  20. "Storm toll 800". Hobart Mercury. July 28, 1989. (Accessed through LexisNexis)
  21. "7 killed in heavy Karachi rains". The Muslim. Islamabad, Pakistan: Xinhua General News. July 26, 1989. (Accessed through LexisNexis)
  22. "Rains' death toll rises to 16 in Karachi, Pakistan". Xinhua General News. Islamabad, Pakistan. July 27, 1989. (Accessed through LexisNexis)
  23. "Thousands Dead Throughout Asia In Floods, Mudslides". Associated Press. Beijing, China. July 27, 1989. (Accessed through LexisNexis)
  24. Lt. Dianne K. Crittenden (1990). "1989 Annual Tropical Cyclone Report: Typhoon Gay (32W)" (PDF). Joint Typhoon Warning Center. United States Navy. pp. 166–172. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 21, 2013. Retrieved June 8, 2012.
  25. G.S. Mandal and Akhilesh Gupta (1996). "The Wind Structure, Size and Damage Potential of Some Recent Cyclone of Hurricane Intensity in the North Indian Ocean". Advances in Tropical Meteorology. New Delhi, India: Indian Meteorological Society (50): 421.
  26. "Cyclones, storm surges, floods, landslides" (PDF). Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery. September 2011. p. 9. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 26, 2012. Retrieved June 8, 2012.
  27. Vipa Rungdilokroajn (February 1990). Natural Disasters in Thailand (PDF) (Report). Bangkok, Thailand: Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Nicaragua. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 26, 2012. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
  28. "Thailand Country Report". Asian Disaster Reduction Center. 1998. Retrieved December 15, 2011.
  29. "Typhoon Death Toll Rises; 500 Missing Off Thailand Coast". Reuters. Los Angeles, California: Los Angeles Times. November 11, 1989. Retrieved June 8, 2012.
  30. S. Raghavan and S. Rajesh (May 2003). "Trends in Tropical Cyclone Impact: A Study in Andhra Pradesh, India". Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society. 85 (5): 635–644. Bibcode:2003BAMS...84..635R. doi:10.1175/BAMS-84-5-635.
  31. "Historical records of Severe Cyclones which formed in the Bay of Bengal and made landfall at the eastern coast of India during the period from 1970–1999". India Meteorological Department. 1999. Archived from the original on July 17, 2015. Retrieved June 8, 2012.
  32. "Storm batters Southeast Bangladesh". Xinhua General News. Dhaka, Bangladesh. October 19, 1989. (Accessed through LexisNexis)
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