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Cyclone Hudhud
Category 4 North Indian Ocean cyclone in 2014 From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm Hudhud[a] was a strong tropical cyclone that caused extensive damage and loss of life in eastern India and Nepal during October 2014. Hudhud originated from a low-pressure system that formed under the influence of an upper-air cyclonic circulation in the Andaman Sea on October 6. Hudhud intensified into a cyclonic storm on October 8 and as a Severe Cyclonic Storm on October 9. Hudhud underwent rapid deepening in the following days and was classified as a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm by the IMD. Shortly before landfall near Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, on October 12, Hudhud reached its peak strength with three-minute wind speeds of 185 km/h (115 mph) and a minimum central pressure of 960 mbar (28.35 inHg). The system then drifted northwards towards Uttar Pradesh and Nepal, causing widespread rains in both areas and heavy snowfall in the latter.
Hudhud caused extensive damage to the city of Visakhapatnam and the neighbouring districts of Vizianagaram and Srikakulam of Andhra Pradesh. Damages were estimated to be ₹219 billion (US$3.58 billion) by the Andhra state government.[3] At least 124 deaths have been confirmed, a majority of them from Andhra Pradesh and Nepal, with the latter experiencing an avalanche due to the cyclone.
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Meteorological history
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Map key
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
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
Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depressionOn 6 October, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) began tracking a low-pressure area that formed over the Gulf of Thailand as a result of a cyclonic circulation.[4] On 7 October, the low-pressure area strengthened into a depression over the northern Andaman Sea.[5] It further strengthened into a deep depression later that day as it moved westwards.[6] The Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) also began tracking the system on 8 October, designating it as tropical cyclone 03B.[7] Later that day, it strengthened into Cyclonic Storm Hudhud before making its first landfall on Long Island in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.[8] Hudhud continued intensifying as it emerged into the eastern Bay of Bengal on 9 October[9] and intensified into a severe cyclonic storm later that day with a minimum three-minute sustained central pressure of 990 mbar (29 inHg).[10] Increased curved banding was also noted that day.[11]
On 10 October, Hudhud strengthened into a very severe cyclonic storm with a three-minute sustained central pressure of 984 mbar (29.1 inHg).[12] Early on October 11, Hudhud entered the radar range of Visakhapatnam while continuing to move northwestwards toward the coast of Andhra Pradesh. Curved banding increased and the appearance of an eye was noted.[13] Amid favorable conditions that day, Hudhud underwent rapid intensification, with a clearly visible eye as it approached northern Andhra Pradesh. Operationally, its central pressure at peak intensity was assessed by the IMD as 960 mbar (28 inHg).[14] In the post-cyclone report, it was reanalyzed to 950 mbar (28 inHg).[15] It maintained its intensity as it stalled southeast of Visakhapatnam.[16] Hudhud made its second and final landfall near Visakhapatnam at peak intensity during the afternoon of 12 October.[17]
After moving over land, Hudhud weakened into a severe cyclonic storm[18] and then a cyclonic storm northwest of Visakhapatnam.[19] It weakened into a deep depression the following day over southern Chhattisgarh.[20] It further weakened into a depression that evening over central Chhattisgarh and persisted northward, weakening into a low pressure area on 14 October over eastern Uttar Pradesh.[15]
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Preparations
On 9 October, a heavy rainfall warning was issued for the coasts of northern Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.[21] 44 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams, eight rescue teams, and Indian Army helicopters were deployed across Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. Prime Minister Narendra Modi held an emergency meeting on 11 October to review preparations and relief efforts.[22] In Odisha, 10 Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) teams were deployed and preparations were made to evacuate those living in unsafe houses. District authorities were told to prepare food kitchens and store dry food.[23] Plans to divert 75 trains in the South Central Railway zone were also made, with assistance to stranded passengers. Emergency teams were deployed to the railways, and passengers were told to avoid traveling unless required.[24] In Andhra Pradesh, 111,000 people in coastal districts were evacuated and 370 relief camps were readied.[25]
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Impact
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India
Andhra Pradesh
An alert was sounded in nine out of thirteen districts of Andhra Pradesh where standing crops including paddy, groundnut, sugarcane, and pulses were yet to be harvested. Over 700,000 people, including 500,000 people in Andhra Pradesh, were evacuated and put up in relief camps & emergency bunkers.[26]
Hudhud crossed the coast of Andhra Pradesh at the noon of October 12 over Visakhapatnam,[27] with winds exceeding 185 km/h (115 mph). As per initial reports, 3 people were killed due to heavy rainfall accompanied by strong winds in coastal areas.[28] Within hours of hitting the coast, the cyclone severed the radar link of Visakhapatnam Cyclone Warning Centre.[29]
Visakhapatnam, also known as Vizag, bore the brunt of Hudhud, which hit its coast with a speed of 185 km/h (115 mph). Hundreds of vehicles parked on roads were damaged while heavy rains inundated a few colonies.[30] The runway at Visakhapatnam Airport was flooded and the radar and navigational aids were destroyed. The roof of the terminal was torn apart due to the speed of the cyclone.[31] Villages near Vizag were also significantly affected by Hudhud, including Kasimkota, which is known for its robust food distribution system during the cyclone that became standard ration procedure for Visakhapatnam disaster management.[32][33]
Hudhud caused 61 deaths within Andhra Pradesh and an estimated damage of ₹219 billion (US$3.58 billion), including the industrial damage of ₹61.36 billion (US$1 billion).[3]
Central government has mobilised the Army, Navy, and the National Disaster Response Force to provide relief to over 2,80,000 people in 44 mandals across four districts.[34] Chandrababu Naidu the then Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh shifted base from Hyderabad to Visakhapatnam after the cyclone made landfall. To monitor the disaster relief work that was being undertaken, he stayed in a bus parked outside the city collectorate.[35] He also undertook visits to districts bordering Odisha such as Srikakulam which were badly hit by the cyclone. Post the disaster, he vowed to rebuild Vizag which was badly affected by it.[36]
Odisha
The Odisha government had placed 16 districts under high alert: Balasore, Kendrapara, Bhadrak, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Ganjam, Mayurbhanj, Jajpur, Cuttack, Khurdha, Nayagarh, Gajapati, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar, Malkangiri and Koraput.
At the time of the storm landfall, strong winds and heavy rainfall commenced in southern Odisha districts, leading to disruption in power supply. Wind speeds reaching 90 km/h (56 mph) were predicted in the region.[37] 2 people were killed in Odisha.[38] Government of Odisha Also dispatched thirty teams from OSDMA for help in relief and rescue to Andhra Pradesh.[39]
Elsewhere
On October 8, while Hudhud was gaining cyclonic storm intensity, the authorities closed schools and cancelled ferry services in and around the Andaman Islands.Local fishermen were warned about the storm. The Andaman Trunk Road, one of the major roads traversing the island, was shut down after trees were uprooted due to the storm's force. Landslides were reported on the island, causing some power and communication lines to fail.[40] Hudhud killed 18 people in the Uttar Pradesh.[41]
Nepal
On 14 October 2014, sudden weather changes caused by Hudhud in Nepal reportedly caused avalanches around Dhaulagiri and Annapurna.[42][43] The avalanches and heavy snowfall killed at least 43 hikers and guides in Nepal.[44]
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Aftermath
![[icon]](#/media/File:Wiki_letter_w_cropped.svg){kind=small} | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (February 2021) |
The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi announced on October 15 that ₹1000 crore (US$163 million) was to be awarded as aid for affected areas in Andhra Pradesh.[45] Also, the JK Tyre FMSCI National Karting Championship Archived 2020-01-04 at the Wayback Machine held by the FMSCI in Vishakapatnam for its final round of the championship had to be postponed. Post-cyclone, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Indian Navy, and other agencies were involved in rescue and relief operations, providing food, water, medical aid, and restoring communication lines.
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See also
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Cyclone Hudhud.
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