Cyclone Mekunu

Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm Mekunu
Extremely severe cyclonic storm (IMD scale)
Category 3 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
Cyclone Mekunu near peak intensity and approaching Oman, on May 25
Formed May 21, 2018
Dissipated May 27, 2018
Highest winds 3-minute sustained: 175 km/h (110 mph)
1-minute sustained: 185 km/h (115 mph)
Lowest pressure 960 hPa (mbar); 28.35 inHg
Fatalities 31 total
Damage $400 million (2018 USD)
Areas affected Yemen, Oman, Saudi Arabia
Part of the 2018 North Indian Ocean cyclone season

Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm Mekunu was the most intense tropical cyclone to make landfall in the Arabian Peninsula in recorded history.[1] Mekunu was the first extremely severe cyclonic storm and the third Category 3 tropical cyclone to make landfall over the Arabian Peninsula since reliable records began in 1960.[2] The second named storm of the 2018 North Indian Ocean cyclone season, Mekunu developed out of a low pressure area on May 21. It gradually intensified and reached its peak intensity on May 25, before making landfall near Raysut, Oman.

Meteorological history

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

On May 18, an area of convection persisted in the Arabian Sea, northwest of the Maldives, with a broad circulation. With very warm ocean temperatures over 29 °C (84 °F) and moderate wind shear, atmospheric conditions were conducive for eventual tropical cyclone development. At the same time of the disturbance's formation, Cyclone Sagar was located in the Gulf of Aden.[3] On May 20, a distinct low pressure area developed over the central Arabian Sea.[4] The convection became increasingly organized, aided by good outflow to the north and south.[5] On May 21, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) classified the system as a depression.[4] The American-based Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) followed suit and began issuing advisories on the system early on May 22, designating it Tropical Cyclone 02A.[6]

Upon its formation, the storm was moving northwestward toward the Arabian Peninsula, steered by a ridge to the northeast. Both the IMD and the JTWC anticipated steady intensification, due to decreasing wind shear and the presence of an upper-level anticyclone nearby.[4][6] On May 22, the IMD upgraded the depression to a deep depression, and later a cyclonic storm, naming it Mekunu.[4] An eye feature developed in the center of the storm on May 23, indicative of an intensifying storm.[7] That day, the IMD upgraded Mekunu to a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm – the equivalent of a minimal hurricane – while the storm was passing east of Socotra Island.[4] There was uncertainty in predictive storm models around this time whether Mekunu would continue to the northwest, or turn to the northeast,[7] although the storm would continue its northwest trajectory for the remainder of its duration.[4]

On May 24, Mekunu weakened slightly due to a bout of easterly wind shear, causing the eye to become ragged.[8] However, the storm re-intensified, and the thunderstorms organized into a compact area near the center around the eye.[9] The IMD upgraded Mekunu to an extremely severe cyclonic storm on May 25, estimating peak 3-minute sustained winds of 175 km/h (110 mph).[4] On the same day, the JTWC estimated peak winds of 185 km/h (115 mph), equivalent to a Category 3 on the Saffir-Simpson scale.[9] At its peak intensity, Mekunu had a compact 13 km (8 mi) eye, which was visible on satellite imagery.[10] Between 18:30–19:30 UTC on May 25, Mekunu made landfall at peak intensity on southern Oman, just west of Salalah,[4] near Raysut. It was the first storm of hurricane intensity to strike Dhofar Governorate since 1959.[11] The storm rapidly weakened over the dry, mountainous terrain of western Oman.[12] On May 27, the IMD downgraded Mekunu to a well-marked low pressure area, near the borders of Oman, Yemen, and Saudi Arabia.[4]

Preparations and impact

Cyclone Mekunu east of Socotra on May 23

In tracking the storm, the IMD issued a variety of warnings for fishermen and other people in the storm path.[4] Ahead of the storm, Omani officials evacuated hospitals and other areas near the country's border. Salalah Airport was shut down for a period of 24 hours.[13]

Cyclone Mekunu dropped heavy rainfall on Socotra island while passing to its east, causing floods that knocked out most of the island's communications. This spurred the Yemeni government to declare a state of emergency.[13] More than 1,000 households evacuated, utilizing 11 shelters in the island's capital, Hadibu, or otherwise staying with relatives.[14][15][16] Flooding washed out the main road connecting Hadibu with Socotra Airport,[11] and roads on the east and west side of the island.[14] Landslides covered farms, destroyed food stocks, knocked down palm trees, and washed away thousands of animals.[16][17][15][18] The storm also damaged water wells, causing interruptions to sewage systems, and leaving residents without clean drinking water.[15][18] Five cars were destroyed by the floods, and several houses were damaged.[18][15] The storm capsized 120 fishing boats and wrecked over 500 fishing net.[13] Throughout the island, Mekunu killed at least 20 people.[18]

On the Yemeni mainland, flooding rains damaged roads, vehicles, and buildings in Hadhramaut and Al Mahrah governorates. The cyclone damaged power lines and generators, causing power outages. In Alaibri, flooding isolated about 2,000 people for about three days.[18] The storm capsized two ships in Al-Gaydah.[15] Across the Yemeni mainland, Mekunu killed four people and injured 20 others.[18]

Cyclone Mekunu struck Oman near peak intensity,[4] bringing strong winds and heavy rainfall. Over a four day period, the cyclone dropped 617 mm (24.3 in) in Salalah, which is five times the average annual rainfall. During a 24 hour period, the storm dropped 278 mm (10.9 in) of rainfall. The heavy rainfall flooded roads, low-lying areas, and wadis, or dry river beds.[11] The rains collected in area dams,[19] and created lakes in Rub' al Khali, or the Empty Quarter, a large desert that typically receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of annual rainfall. The rains created the first lakes in the desert in nearly 20 years, which was expected to grow vegetation that could feed local camels for two years.[20] Salalah, just east of the landfall location, recorded sustained winds of 96 km/h (60 mph).[12] Dhalkoot, along the coast, recorded wind gusts of 110 km/h (70 mph).[11] Across Oman, particularly near Salalah, Mekunu damaged houses, cars, boats, and other property, resulting in 656 insurance claims as of June 25, totaling ﷼73.9 million (OMR, $190 million USD).[21][22] The Aon insurance company estimated $400 million (USD) in damage.[23] Seven people died in Oman, including one who died after being in a coma for nine days.[24]

Aftermath

After the scope of the damage became evident on Socotra, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, and Kuwait provided shelter, medical, and other emergency supplies. Saudi Arabia sent its first plane of aid on May 27.[13][18][14][25] The UAE also sent helicopters to search for missing people, and airlifted 17 people injured during the storm. The crew from the UAE helped reopen the island's roads.[18][14][26] The Qatar Red Crescent Society sent five medical teams, along with emergency supplies.[17] By May 26, Socotra's airport and port were reopened.[18] The United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) carried four flights of food, shelter, and water supplies.[27] On the Yemeni mainland, local Red Cross chapters provided water and food to affected residents. Workers cleared roads to restore access to isolated villages.[18]

The Oman State Council Bureau noted that national unity during the storm helped mitigate storm effects, including cooperation between military, police, information agencies, and volunteers.[28]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Best Track". RSMC New Delhi. India Meteorological Department. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
  2. ↑ "Gonu 2007 & Phet 2010". Historical Hurricane Tracks. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
  3. ↑ "Significant Tropical Weather Advisory for the Indian Ocean". Joint Typhoon Warning Center. Archived from the original on 19 May 2018. Retrieved 2 July 2018.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm “Mekunu” over Arabian Sea (21 – 27 May 2018): Summary (PDF) (Report). India Meteorological Department. June 2018. Retrieved 2 July 2018.
  5. ↑ "Significant Tropical Weather Advisory For The Indian Ocean Reissued". Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 21 May 2018. Archived from the original on 21 May 2018. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  6. 1 2 "Tropical Cyclone 02A (Two) Warning Nr 001". Joint Typhoon Warning Center. Archived from the original on 22 May 2018. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  7. 1 2 "Tropical Cyclone 02A (Mekunu) Warning Nr 006". Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 23 May 2018. Archived from the original on 23 May 2018. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  8. ↑ "Tropical Cyclone 02A (Mekunu) Warning Nr 010". Joint Typhoon Warning Center. Archived from the original on 24 May 2018. Retrieved 2 July 2018.
  9. 1 2 "Tropical Cyclone 02A (Mekunu) Warning Nr 015". Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 25 May 2018. Archived from the original on 26 May 2018. Retrieved 2 July 2018.
  10. ↑ "Tropical Cyclone 02A (Mekunu) Warning Nr 016". Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 25 May 2018. Archived from the original on 26 May 2018. Retrieved 2 July 2018.
  11. 1 2 3 4 "Tropical Cyclone Mekunu Making Historic Category 3 Landfall Near Salalah, Oman With Life-Threatening Flooding, Destructive Winds, Storm Surge". The Weather Channel. 23 May 2018. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  12. 1 2 "Tropical Cyclone 02A (Mekunu) Warning Nr 017". Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 26 May 2018. Archived from the original on 26 May 2018. Retrieved 2 July 2018.
  13. 1 2 3 4 Mohammed Mokhashaf (24 May 2018). "Tropical storm hits Yemen's Socotra, state of emergency declared". Reuters. Retrieved 4 July 2018.
  14. 1 2 3 4 Yemen: Cyclone Mekunu Flash Update 1. United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (Report). 25 May 2018. ReliefWeb. Retrieved 4 July 2018.
  15. 1 2 3 4 5 "Yemen: Cyclone Mekunu - Information bulletin". International Federation of Red Cross And Red Crescent Societies. 27 May 2018. ReliefWeb. Retrieved 4 July 2018.
  16. 1 2 Yemen: Cyclone Mekunu Flash Update 3. United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (Report). 30 May 2018. ReliefWeb. Retrieved 4 July 2018.
  17. 1 2 "QRCS Responds to Cyclone Mekunu in Yemen". Qatar Red Crescent Society. 25 May 2018. ReliefWb. Retrieved 4 July 2018.
  18. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Yemen: Cyclone Mekunu - Information bulletin No.2" (PDF). International Federation of Red Cross And Red Crescent Societies. 31 May 2018. ReliefWeb. Retrieved 1 June 2018.
  19. ↑ "Salalah gets over 5 years of Oman's average annual rain". Times of Oman. 27 May 2018. Retrieved 9 June 2018.
  20. ↑ Rosa-Aquino, Paola. "The World's Largest Sand Desert Is Covered in Lakes After Tropical Cyclone Mekunu". Earther. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
  21. ↑ "Cyclone Mekunu: Insurance claims reach up to OMR75 million". Times of Oman. 25 June 2018. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
  22. ↑ "Currency Converter". Bank Muscat. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
  23. ↑ "Global Catastrophe Recap June 2018" (PDF). Retrieved July 15, 2018.
  24. ↑ "Mekunu's last victim — our hero". Times of Oman. 9 June 2018. Retrieved 9 June 2018.
  25. ↑ "Kuwait sends aid to Socotra". Government of Bahrain. 30 May 2018. ReliefWeb. Retrieved 4 July 2018.
  26. ↑ "First UAE relief plane loaded with 40 tonnes of humanitarian and food aid arrives in Socotra". Emirates News Agency. 26 May 2018. ReliefWeb. Retrieved 4 July 2018.
  27. ↑ Yemen Situation Update, May 2018. World Food Programme, Logistics Cluster (Report). 31 May 2018. ReliefWeb. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
  28. ↑ "State Council commends national unity during cyclone Mekunu". Government of Oman. 30 May 2018. ReliefWeb. Retrieved 4 July 2018.
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