Cyclone Nisarga

Severe Cyclonic Storm Nisarga was the strongest tropical cyclone to strike the Indian state of Maharashtra in the month of June since 1891.[1] It was also the first cyclone impact to Mumbai since Cyclone Phyan of 2009.[2] The third depression and second named cyclone of the annual cyclone season, Nisarga originated as a depression in the Arabian Sea and moved generally northward. On 2 June, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) upgraded the system to a cyclonic storm, assigning the name Nisarga. On the next day, Nisarga further intensified to a severe cyclonic storm and turned to the northeast, ultimately making landfall approximately 95 km south of Mumbai.[3] Nisarga rapidly weakened once inland and dissipated on 4 June.

Severe Cyclonic Storm Nisarga
Severe cyclonic storm (IMD scale)
Category 1 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
Nisarga making landfall on Maharashtra on 3 June
Formed1 June 2020
Dissipated4 June 2020
Highest winds3-minute sustained: 110 km/h (70 mph)
1-minute sustained: 140 km/h (85 mph)
Lowest pressure990 hPa (mbar); 29.23 inHg
Fatalities6 total
Damage$665 million (2020 USD)
Areas affectedIndia (Maharashtra)
Part of the 2020 North Indian Ocean cyclone season

Nisarga was the second cyclone to strike the Indian subcontinent within two weeks time, after Cyclone Amphan, the first super cyclonic storm to have formed in the Bay of Bengal in the 21st century, devastated the state of West Bengal on May 2020.[4][5] Making landfall in Maharashtra with winds of 110 km/h (70 mph), Nisarga became the strongest storm to strike the state in the month of June since 1891. Before Nisarga, only two depressions had struck Maharashtra in the month of June, in 1948 and 1980 respectively.[6][7]

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

On 31 May, an area of low pressure developed over the Eastern Arabian Sea and remained as a well marked low pressure area over the same region till the evening.[8] It strengthened into a depression over east-central and south-east Arabian Sea in the early morning the of 1 June when it was centered about 340 km south-west of Goa, 630 km south-southwest of Mumbai and 850 km south-southwest of Gujarat.[9]

Satellite animation of Nisarga intensifying on 2 June.

Around noon on 2 June, the deep depression intensified into a cyclonic storm and thereby receiving the name Nisarga.[10]

At 12:30 IST (07:00 UTC) 3 June, Nisarga made landfall near the town of Alibag, at peak intensity.[11]

Preparations

On 1 June, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, held a preliminary review meeting with officials of National Disaster Management Authority, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), India Meteorological Department and the Indian Coast Guard.[12] On the same day, 33 team of NDRF were deployed in the coastal region of both the state.[13] Fishermen from Maharashtra were alerted to return back from the sea.[14]

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi via a tweet on 2 June 2020 updated that he spoke to Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Chief Minister of Gujarat and Administrator of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu while assuring all possible support and assistance from the Central Government.[15] As a precaution, 100,000 people were evacuated ahead of the storm.[16]

Impact

In Alibag, close to where Nisarga made landfall, recorded a wind speed of 102 km/h (63 mph), while nearby Murud-Janjira seen a wind speed of 111 km/h (69 mph) as the Cyclone was strongest at it's south southwest section. State Capital Mumbai seen a wind speed of 50-60 km/h. It's remant give heavy to very heavy rain on the foothills of Eastern Nepal and adjoining Bihar. [17] Nisarga caused six deaths in Maharashtra,[18] including three in Pune.[19] Initial damage was estimated to be Rs50 billion (US$664 million).[20][21]

See also

References
  1. "Nisarga, first tropical cyclone since 1891 that may hit Maharashtra coast during June". Hindustan Times. 31 May 2020. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
  2. Choudhary, Srishti (2 June 2020). "Cyclone Nisarga: Mumbai braces for severe storm 11 years after 'Phyan'". Livemint. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
  3. "Cyclone Nisarga: India's Mumbai escapes worst cyclone in decades". BBC. 3 June 2020. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
  4. Ray, Meenakshi (3 June 2020). "From Nisarga to Amphan: How do tropical cyclones form". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
  5. "Cyclone Nisarga: Rare storm in decades pounds India's west coast". Al Jazeera. 3 June 2020. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
  6. Chatterjee, Badri (31 May 2020). "Nisarga, first tropical cyclone since 1891 that may hit Maharashtra coast during June". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  7. Ray, Anulekha (2 June 2020). "Cyclone Nisarga intensified in Maharashtra: Will hit coastline with high wind speed; flood alert in Mumbai, Thane". Livemint. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  8. Amit Chaturvedi (2 June 2020). "Deep depression in Arabian Sea intensifies into cyclonic storm, IMD officially declares it Cyclone Nisarga". Hindustan Times.
  9. "IMD press release 01-06-2020" (PDF).
  10. "Deep depression in Arabian Sea intensifies into Cyclone Nisarga". Hindustan Times. 2 June 2020. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
  11. Chatterjee, Badri; Nandi, Jayashree (4 June 2020). "Cyclone Nisarga makes landfall; a lucky escape for Mumbai". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  12. "Home Minister Amit Shah holds meeting to review preparations to deal with Cyclone Nisarga". Hindustan Times. 1 June 2020. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  13. "nisarga cyclone: 33 teams deployed in Maharashtra, Gujarat in view of 'Nisarga'". The Times of India. 2 June 2020. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  14. "Mumbai, adjoining districts put on alert in view of cyclone Nisarga". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  15. "Cyclone Nisarga: PM Modi Reviews Situation On Western Coast". NDTV.com. Press Trust of India. 2 June 2020. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  16. "Cyclone Nisarga hits India's west coast | Watch News Videos Online". Global News. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  17. Dey, Stela (3 June 2020). "Man Dies As Electric Pole Falls On Him In Maharashtra's Alibaug During Cyclone Nisarga". NDTV. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  18. Srivastava, Ritesh (4 June 2020). "Maharashtra Cyclone Nisarga death toll rises to 6, CM announces Rs 4 lakh compensation for victims' kin". Zee News. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
  19. "Cyclone Nisarga | Pune reports third cyclone-related death". The Hindu. 4 June 2020. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
  20. Gangan, Surendra; Venkatraman, Tanushree (5 June 2020). "Cyclone Nisarga: Crops on 8,000 hectares destroyed in Maharashtra". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
  21. "Cyclone nisarga". thehansindia.
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