Cyclone Forrest
Extremely severe cyclonic storm (IMD scale) | |
---|---|
Category 4 tropical cyclone (SSHWS) | |
Formed | November 12, 1992 |
Dissipated | November 22, 1992 |
Highest winds | 3-minute sustained: 185 km/h (115 mph) 1-minute sustained: 230 km/h (145 mph) |
Lowest pressure | 952 hPa (mbar); 28.11 inHg |
Fatalities | 34 total |
Damage | $32 million (1992 USD) |
Areas affected | |
Part of the 1992 Pacific typhoon and North Indian Ocean cyclone seasons |
Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm Forrest, also referred to as Tropical Storm Forrest as a weakening system on November 21 before dissipating early the next day.
The majority of deaths associated with Forrest resulted from a plane crash on November 14 in Vietnam which killed 30 of the 31 occupants. In Thailand, the system produced significant storm surge, damaged or destroyed 1,700 homes, and killed two people. Agricultural losses in the hardest hit areas were estimated at ฿800 million (US$32 million). On November 20, as Forrest reached its peak intensity, fears arose across Bangladesh that a repeat of the catastrophic April 1991 cyclone would take place. As a result, mass evacuation plans were enacted across coastal areas of the country, with plans to relocate up to 2 million people. But the storm abruptly turned eastward, and the successful evacuation of 600,000 residents spared countless lives. Only two deaths were recorded, and overall damage was light, though half of all homes on St. Martin's Island were damaged.
Meteorological history
The second of four notable tropical cyclones in the Western Pacific in early November 1992, Forrest was first identified as an area of disturbed weather over the western
The storm's proximity to land inhibited intensification, and it attained winds of 100 km/h (62 mph) as it moved over the
Forrest maintained its peak intensity for six hours before increasing wind shear disrupted it. Unexpectedly, the storm turned sharply northeast later on November 20, sparing most of Bangladesh from a direct hit. More dramatic weakening ensued on November 21 as Forrest neared landfall,[1] with its eye becoming obscure.[6] The cyclone made landfall along the northern coast of Rakhine State in Myanmar between 06:00 and 12:00 UTC with winds of 155–175 km/h (96–109 mph).[2] The IMD estimated Forrest to have been far weaker as it moved ashore, reporting peak three-minute winds to be 85 km/h (53 mph) at that time.[3] Once onshore, the high terrain of northern Myanmar further eroded the cyclone's circulation. Forrest dissipated early on November 22 over the Magway Region.[1]
Throughout the storm's existence in the Bay of Bengal, it was monitored by the ERS-1 satellite. It became the first North Indian Ocean cyclone to be observed by scatterometer instruments, providing the data necessary to calibrate the device for minimizing directional ambiguity of its measurements.[7]
Preparations and impact
On November 14,
Across the Gulf of Thailand, all oil platforms were evacuated and no injuries were reported during the storm's passage. Damage, if any, that took place in Myanmar is unknown.[1]
Thailand
Prior to the storm's arrival in
Minister of the Interior Chavalit Yongchaiyudh traveled to the affected areas on November 16 to oversee relief operations.[13]
Bangladesh
On April 29 of the previous year, a catastrophic
Plans were made to evacuate 2 million people along the immediate coastline, including 300,000 in the Cox's Bazar District alone. Harun-ur Rashid stated: "if necessary the volunteers have orders to use force to evacuate people."[15] Residents were readily willing to leave their homes in the District, in stark contrast to the complacency seen prior to the 1991 cyclone. Some people, traumatized by the events of the earlier storm, left at the "slightest hint of calamity".[16] By late on November 20, approximately 500,000 people had been evacuated.[17] Following a change in the cyclone's course, the focus of evacuations shifted closer to the Bangladesh–Myanmar border. Relocations in this new area included: 200,000 in Chittagong, 55,000 in Chokoria, 51,000 in Moheshkhali, and 40,000 on Kutubdia Upazila.[18] An emergency Cabinet meeting was convened by Prime Minister Khaleda Zia to discuss the storm. Government officials were similarly placed on emergency alert despite the day being a weekly holiday. Bangladesh Television cancelled all entertainment programs and relayed announcements on the cyclone non-stop. Relief Minister Lutfar Rahman Khan also convened an unscheduled, high-level meeting concerning the allocation of relief goods for eight districts.[19] Overall, 600,000 people evacuated inland or to one of 238 shelters.[20] During the evacuations, one person was killed in a stampede at a crowded shelter.[21]
The cyclone ultimately spared the country a direct hit, turning due east, weakening, and striking Myanmar on November 21.[20] Meteorologists regarded the storm's change of course and weakening as a "miracle", as large cyclones have historically caused tremendous loss of life and damage in Bangladesh.[22] Off St. Martin's Island, the southernmost area in Bangladesh inhabited by 4,500 fishermen, high winds snapped radio lines to the mainland.[20] High tides flooded the island, damaging half of its dwellings. Fifty people sustained minor injuries,[23] and one was killed after being struck by lightning.[21] On nearby Shah Farid Island, 200 thatched homes were damaged; all 500 families had previously evacuated and were left unharmed.[23] Squalls affected Teknaf Upazila,[20] damaging a food storeroom and office at one of the Muslim refugee camps.[23] Gusts in Cox's Bazar peaked at 104 km/h (65 mph) as the storm passed 140 km (87 mi) south.[1]
See also
- 1992 Pacific typhoon season
- 1992 North Indian Ocean cyclone season
- Typhoon Gay (1989) – a powerful storm that formed in the Gulf of Thailandand caused considerable damage in areas just north of where Forrest tracked
- Tropical Depression Wilma (2013)
- Typhoon Durian
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Lt. Gregory Salvato (1993). "Typhoon Forrest (30W)" (PDF). Annual Tropical Cyclone Report. Joint Typhoon Warning Center (Report). United states Navy. pp. 141–144. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 15, 2012. Retrieved May 24, 2014.
- ^ a b c d "Typhoon Forrest (30W) Best Track" (.TXT). Joint Typhoon Warning Center. United States Navy. 1993. Retrieved May 24, 2014.
- ^ a b c Kenneth R. Knapp; Michael C. Kruk; David H. Levinson; Howard J. Diamond; Charles J. Neumann (2010). 1992 Farrest:Forrest (1992314N08141). The International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship (IBTrACS): Unifying tropical cyclone best track data (Report). Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved May 24, 2014.
- ^ a b c "Tropical storm leaves 2 dead, 1,700 homes damaged in southern Thailand". Bangkok, Thailand. Xinhua General News. November 17, 1992. – via Lexis Nexis (subscription required)
- ^ Best Track Data 1990-2012 (XLS) (Report). India Meteorological Agency. Retrieved 2014-07-10.
- ^ "Powerful cyclone weakens, sparing Bangladesh". Dhaka, Bangladesh. Agence France-Presse. November 21, 1992. – via Lexis Nexis (subscription required)
- .
- ^ Tropical Cyclones in 1992 (PDF). Hong Kong Observatory (Report). September 1994. p. 17. Retrieved May 24, 2014.
- ^ "Typhoon Plane Crashes". Evening Standard. November 16, 1992. p. 20. – via Lexis Nexis (subscription required)
- ^ a b "Accident description: VN-A449". Aviation Safety Network. 2014. Retrieved May 24, 2014.
- ^ "Vietnam still searches for missing plane". Hanoi, Vietnam. Xinhua General News. November 18, 1992. – via Lexis Nexis (subscription required)
- ^ a b "Thai Storm". Courier-Mail. Bangkok, Thailand. November 16, 1992. – via Lexis Nexis (subscription required)
- ^ a b c "Storm "Forrest" lashes southern Thailand". Bangkok, Thailand. Xinhua General News. November 16, 1992. – via Lexis Nexis (subscription required)
- ^ a b Sabir Mustafa (November 20, 1992). "Huge cyclone threatens Bangladesh". Dhaka, Bangladesh. United Press International. – via Lexis Nexis (subscription required)
- ^ a b Hasan Saeed (November 20, 1992). "300,000 Evacuated From High Risk Area as Cyclone Moves Closer". Dhaka, Bangladesh. Associated Press. – via Lexis Nexis (subscription required)
- ^ "Millions offer prayers as powerful cyclone bears down on Bangladesh Volunteers and rescue officials using megaphones urge villagers to leave area devastated by storm two years ago". The Globe and Mail. Dhaka, Bangladesh. November 21, 1992. – via Lexis Nexis (subscription required)
- ^ "Evacuate 500,000 in Path of Cyclone". Dhaka, Bangladesh. Associated Press. November 20, 1992. – via Lexis Nexis (subscription required)
- ^ "Powerful cyclone heads for Bangladesh coast, thousands evacuated". Dhaka, Bangladesh. Agence France-Presse. November 20, 1992. – via Lexis Nexis (subscription required)
- ^ "Bangladesh cabinet summoned as powerful cyclone approaches". Dhaka, Bangladesh. Agence France-Presse. November 20, 1992. – via Lexis Nexis (subscription required)
- ^ a b c d Farid Hossain (November 21, 1992). "Cyclone Weakens as it Hits Bangladesh, No Casualties or Damage". Chittagong, Bangladesh. Associated Press. – via Lexis Nexis (subscription required)
- ^ a b "Bangladesh heaves sigh of relief after cyclone dies out". Dhaka, Bangladesh. Agence France-Presse. November 22, 1992. – via Lexis Nexis (subscription required)
- ^ Arshad Mahmud (November 23, 1992). "Relief as Cyclone Danger Passes". The Guardian. Dhaka, Bangladesh. p. 11. – via Lexis Nexis (subscription required)
- ^ a b c "Weakened cyclone causes minor damage in Bangladesh islands". Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. Agence France-Presse. November 21, 1992. – via Lexis Nexis (subscription required)