Cyclone Helen (2013)

Severe Cyclonic Storm Helen was a relatively weak tropical cyclone that formed in the Bay of Bengal Region on 18 November 2013, from the remnants of Tropical Storm Podul. It was classified as Deep Depression BOB 06 by the IMD on 19 November. As it was moving on a very slow northwest direction on 20 November, it became Cyclonic Storm Helen as it brought light to heavy rainfall in eastern India. It then became a Severe Cyclonic Storm on the afternoon hours of 21 November.

For other storms of the same name, see Tropical Storm Helen.

Severe Cyclonic Storm Helen
Severe cyclonic storm (IMD scale)
Category 1 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
Helen near peak intensity on 21 November
Formed19 November 2013
Dissipated23 November 2013
Highest winds3-minute sustained: 100 km/h (65 mph)
1-minute sustained: 130 km/h (80 mph)
Lowest pressure990 hPa (mbar); 29.23 inHg
Fatalities11 total
Damage$796 million (2013 USD)
Areas affectedAndhra Pradesh
Part of the 2013 North Indian Ocean cyclone season

Meteorological history
Map plotting the track and the intensity of the storm, according to the Saffir–Simpson scale

Late on 17 November, the remnant energy of Tropical Storm Podul contributed to the development of a trough over the Bay of Bengal, located near the Andaman Islands. During the next couple of days, the storm slowly organized and consolidated, prompting the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) to issue a Tropical cyclone formation alert (TCFA) during the early hours of 19 November.[1] Later on the same day, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) upgraded the storm to a depression, classifying it as BOB 06,[2] followed by the JTWC reporting that the storm had reached Tropical Storm strength.[3] A couple of hours later, the IMD upgraded BOB 06 into a Deep Depression, as the storm continued to intensify.[4]

The storm slowly drifted west-northwestward, while deep convection consolidated around the system's well-defined center of circulation.[5] In the early hours of 20 November, the IMD classified BOB 06 as a Cyclonic Storm, thereby officially naming it Helen.[6] Early on 21 November, Helen continued to intensify into a Severe Cyclonic Storm, reaching its peak intensity of 100 km/h (62 mph) with a central pressure of 990 mbar (29 inHg).

Shortly before landfall, the storm's convection sheared to the north, causing its low level circulation to fully expose followed by the JTWC issuing its final bulletin, reporting that the storm had weakened due to land interaction.[7] Helen made landfall south of Machilipatnam, Andhra Pradesh and rapidly deteriorated into a deep depression.[8][9]

Preparations and Impact

The Andhra Pradesh government alerted all coastal districts of the state, especially southern coastal districts. The district collectors were directed to evacuate people from low-lying areas near the coast.[10] More than 11,000 people were evacuated from the areas affected by the storm. Ten teams of the National Disaster Response Force were deployed for rescue operations in the affected areas. A total of 10 deaths have been reported in incidents related to the cyclone.[11]

Three boats carrying 20 fishermen were reported missing, out of which two were reported to be safe and on their way back to the coast. Efforts are on to ensure the safety of the third. The Coast Guard's vessel Avantibai and an HAL Chetak helicopter of the Navy have been dispatched for search and rescue of the missing fishermen.[12]

Helen brought extensive damage to Machilipatnam in Krishna district, with uprooted trees and electric lines. The districts of Krishna, East Godavari and Srikakulam, Visakhapatnam and Guntur suffered heavy rainfall. Heavy damage to harvest crops was also reported, with the West Godavari district being worst affected. Paddy, coconut and banana crops have suffered damage.[12] The agricultural loss in Andhra Pradesh were amounted to be Rs50 billion (US$796 million).[13]

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See also

References
  1. Joint Typhoon Warning Center. "Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert Issued at 19 November 2013, 0200 UTC". Joint Typhoon Warning Center. Archived from the original on 19 November 2013. Retrieved 19 November 2013.
  2. India Meteorological Department. "IMD Bulletin 1 for BOB 06 issued on 19 November 2013, 0300 UTC" (PDF). India Meteorological Department. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 November 2013. Retrieved 19 November 2013.
  3. Joint Typhoon Warning Center. "Tropical Cyclone 04B (Four) Warning #01 Issued at 19 November 2013,1500 UTC". Joint Typhoon Warning Center. Archived from the original on 19 November 2013. Retrieved 19 November 2013.
  4. "IMD Cyclone Warning BOB06/2013/05 for India" (PDF). India Meteorological Department. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 November 2013. Retrieved 20 November 2013.
  5. "Tropical Cyclone 04B Warning 3, issued at 0300 UTC, 20 November 2013". Joint Typhoon Warning Center. Archived from the original on 20 November 2013. Retrieved 20 November 2013.
  6. "Cyclone Warning BOB06/2013/08 for India" (PDF). India Meteorological Department. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 November 2013. Retrieved 20 November 2013.
  7. Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC). "Tropical Cyclone 04B (Helen) Warning #12 Final Warning Issued at 0900 UTC, 22 November 2013". Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC). Archived from the original on 22 November 2013. Retrieved 22 November 2013.
  8. India Meteorological Department. "Severe Cyclonic Storm Helen Warning Bulletin 26 for the Indian coast, issued at 1630 IST (1100 UTC), 22 November 2013" (PDF). India Meteorological Department. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 November 2013. Retrieved 22 November 2013.
  9. India Meteorological Department. "Severe Cyclonic Storm Helen Warning Bulletin 27 for the Indian coast, issued at 1900 IST (1330 UTC), 22 November 2013" (PDF). India Meteorological Department. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 November 2013.
  10. "Cyclone Helen approaches India's southern coast". Khaleej Times. Retrieved 21 November 2013.
  11. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Cyclone-Helen-wreaks-havoc-in-Andhra-10-die/articleshow/26224697.cms
  12. ANI/PTI (22 November 2013). "Cyclone Helen makes landfall in Machilipatnam region". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 22 November 2013.
  13. "Cyclone Helen flattens 10 lakh acres of cropst". Times of India. 24 November 2013. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
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