As the deep depression in the Bay of Bengal (possibly Cyclone Roanu) makes its way towards the Tamil Nadu coast, we take a look at five statistically important cyclonic storms which made landfall in the region in the last 15 years.
Cyclonic Storm Fanoos (2005), 55 kts
Fanoos started off as a low pressure area on December 4 and moved west-southwestward through the Bay of Bengal. It was classified as a cyclonic storm on December 7. However, wind shear and proximity to the land weakened Fanoos and it made landfall as a deep depression near Vedaranyam, Tamil Nadu. Some 25,000 people were evacuated as extremely heavy rainfall destroyed crops across the state.
Cyclone Nisha (2008), 45 kts
On November 24, a low pressure formed over Sri Lanka and started moving into the Bay of Bengal within the next 24 hours. On November 26, the system was upgraded to a cyclonic storm and made landfall in Tamil Nadu the same day. 189 people died due to heavy rains and flooding caused by Cyclone Nisha as multiple rainfall records were broken. It remains the fourth wettest cyclone in India.
Cyclone Jal (2010), 60 kts
Jal started as a weak tropical disturbance in the South China Sea and remained disorganized for the next few days. During the next few days, the system intensified and started moving eastward towards the Indian Ocean. It became a severe cyclonic storm on November 6. Thereafter, it dissipated and made landfall over Chennai as a Deep Depression. Flights were diverted, more than 70,000 people were evacuated, and close to 54 deaths were reported in the country as the system moved along the east coast giving heavy rainfall in the region.
Cyclone Nilam (2012), 45 kts
After Cyclone Jal, Cyclone Nilam is believed to be the deadliest cyclone to have impacted South India. After originating from a low pressure area in the Bay of Bengal on October 28, the system made landfall as a strong cyclonic storm near Mahabalipuram on October 31. Sea water in Chennai rushed 100 m deep into the city as school and colleges were shut down for three days. As many as 1,50,000 people were evacuated to shelters; a total of 449 electric poles fell; more than 200 boats ran aground; and day temperature fell by up to 6 degrees.
Cyclone Madi (2013), 65 kts
On November 30, a low pressure area was spotted over South India, close to the equator. It intensified slowly, and on December 7, it was upgraded to a Deep Depression. By December 8, the system was classified as a very sever cyclonic storm. But the storm weakened later and made landfall near Vedaranyam, Tamil Nadu, as a depression. The scale of damage due to Madi was limited but precautionary measures like mass evacuation and shelters were put in place.
(Featured Image Credit: thehindu.com)