1990 Andhra Pradesh cyclone
Meteorological history | |
---|---|
Formed | 4 May 1990 |
Dissipated | 10 May 1990 |
Super cyclonic storm | |
3-minute sustained (IMD) | |
Highest winds | 235 km/h (145 mph) |
Lowest pressure | 920 hPa (mbar); 27.17 inHg |
Category 4-equivalent tropical cyclone | |
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC) | |
Highest winds | 230 km/h (145 mph) |
Overall effects | |
Fatalities | 967 |
Areas affected | India |
IBTrACS | |
Part of the 1990 North Indian Ocean cyclone season |
The 1990 Andhra Pradesh cyclone was the worst disaster to affect Southern India since the
Meteorological history
On 4 May 1990, the
Over the next couple of days the system rapidly intensified before the JTWC reported early on 8 May, that the system had peaked with 1-minute sustained windspeeds of 230 km/h (145 mph), which made the system equivalent to a category 4 hurricane on the
Preparations and impact
Preparations
As a result of timely warnings issued by the IMD, the Indian government was able to launch an evacuation campaign and order that all fisherman return to shore.[4][5][6][7] This led to more than 150,000 people being evacuated to relief camps which had been set up on higher ground.[8] Due to the thorough preparations, there was fewer deaths than in the 1977 Andhra Pradesh cyclone.[2][4]
Impact
On Edurumondi Island over 7,000 people were left stranded after they refused to evacuate.[5] The island itself was reported to have experienced the full brunt of the system.[2][5] However, all of the residents reportedly sought protection within a shelter provided by the government.[5] The cyclone had a significant effect on India, with storm surge tides as high as 4.9 meters (16 ft) above normal. Consequently, over 100 villages were submerged in water and destroyed.[2] At least 967 people were killed by the cyclone; most of the deaths occurred when houses made mostly out of mud and straw collapsed. Other people were killed when electrical wires were knocked down and while some people were carried away by flooded rivers.[9][10] The storm left at least 3 million people homeless, while over 100,000 farm animals were killed. At least 435,000 acres (1,760 km2) of rice paddies were destroyed along with huge tracts of mango and banana trees. The total damage to crops and property was estimated at over $600 million (1990 USD).[2][10] The cyclone was described as the worst disaster in southern India since the 1977 storm.[4] Sea water contaminated fresh drinking wells, prompting warnings about outbreaks of Cholera and Typhoid as many people were drinking and cooking with water from the drains which was causing stomach disorders.[8][11]
Tamil Nadu
Overall the cyclone only caused minor damage to Tamil Nadu with the worst affected area being the district of Chengalpattu, where one of the old shrines of Kasiviswanathar Temple collapsed as high waves hit the coast.[1] A large number of huts were also washed away by the waves, while six deaths were reported in the state.[1]
Aftermath
On 11 May, two days after the cyclone had hit, the Indian Government launched a massive relief and rescue operation. The Indian Army and Naval helicopters took surveys of areas affected by the cyclone, and also dropped food packets.[4] Although the Indian Government did not request international assistance, the Red Cross provided food, oil, medicines and water tanks for the affected families; the Commission on Inter-Church Aid, Refugee and World Service (CICARWS) at the World Council of Churches issued an appeal for $262,000 (1990 USD) so they could provide immediate needs with World Vision providing $160,000 (1990 USD) for food blankets and utensils.[4]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "2. Pre Monsoon Season Cyclonic Disturbances" (PDF). Report on Cyclonic Disturbances (Depressions and Tropical Cyclones) over North Indian Ocean in 1990. India Meteorological Department. January 1991. pp. 3–18. Archived (PDF) from the original on 15 January 2015. Retrieved 15 January 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Carr, Lester E (1991). "Tropical Cyclone 02B" (PDF). 1990 Annual Tropical Cyclone Report. United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. Archived (PDF) from the original on 23 January 2019. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
- ^ a b "IMD Best track data 1982-2022" (xls). India Meteorological Department. A guide on how to read the database is available here.
- ^ a b c d e "India Cyclone May 1990 UNDRO Information Reports 1 - 3". United Nations Department of Humanitarian Affairs (DHA). ReliefWeb. 14 May 1990. Archived from the original on 7 July 2011. Retrieved 14 November 2009.
- ^ a b c d Newman, Steve (13 May 1990). "Earthweek: A diary of the planet". Toronto Star.
- ^ "150,000 flee cyclone on Indian coast". San Jose Mercury News. 9 May 1990. Retrieved 18 November 2009.
- ^ "Cyclone claims 65 in India". The Bulletin. 10 May 1990. Retrieved 18 November 2009.
- ^ a b Hazarika, Sanjoy (13 May 1990). "Furious Cyclone has India reeling". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 21 January 2011. Retrieved 16 November 2009.
- ^ "Hazards disasters and your community: A Primer for Parliamentarians" (PDF). Government of India. 18 January 2005. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 June 2009. Retrieved 14 November 2009.
- ^ a b "Cyclone Kills 450 Along Indian Coast; Damage to Crops Estimated at $588 Million". The Washington Post. 14 May 1990. Archived from the original on 23 October 2012. Retrieved 18 November 2009.
- ^ "India Stunned after Cyclone". news-record.com. 15 May 1990. Retrieved 18 November 2009.
External links
- Joint Typhoon Warning Center Archived 1 March 2010 at the Wayback Machine
- India Meteorological Department