1998 Gujarat cyclone

{{Short description|North Indian cyclone in 1998}} {{Infobox weather event | name = Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm ARB 02 | image = TC Gujarat 1998.gif | caption = The cyclone at peak intensity before landfall on the Sindh-Gujarat border on June 8. | formed = June 4, 1998 | dissipated = June 10, 1998 }}{{Infobox weather event/IMD | winds = 90 | pressure = 958 }}{{Infobox weather event/JTWC | winds = 105 | pressure = }}{{Infobox weather event/Effects | fatalities = 1,173 (confirmed)<br>4,000-10,000 (estimated) | missing = 1,774 | damage = 3000000000 | areas = India and Pakistan }}{{Infobox weather event/Footer | season = 1998 North Indian Ocean cyclone season }} The '''1998 Gujarat cyclone''' (Joint Typhoon Warning Center designation: '''03A'''; India Meteorological Department designation: '''ARB 02''') was a catastrophic tropical cyclone that killed at least 1,000 people in India, mainly in the state of Gujarat in 1998.

==Meteorological history== {{Storm path|Cyclone 03A 1998 track.png}} On June 1, an area of low pressure developed over the Laccadive Islands. Two days later, the JTWC issued a TCFA for the system as it became better organized. Early on June 4, the JTWC issued its first advisory on Tropical Cyclone 03A.<ref name="03A ATCR">{{cite web|author=Joint Typhoon Warning Center|publisher=World Meteorological Organization|year=1999|access-date=February 9, 2009|title=Tropical Cyclone 03A Preliminary Report|url=http://www.usno.navy.mil/NOOC/nmfc-ph/RSS/jtwc/atcr/1998atcr/pdf/03a.pdf|format=PDF|archive-date=June 7, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607044854/http://www.usno.navy.mil/NOOC/nmfc-ph/RSS/jtwc/atcr/1998atcr/pdf/03a.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> Around the same time, the IMD began monitoring the system as Depression ARB 02. Shortly after, the depression was upgraded to a deep depression and further strengthened into a cyclonic storm the following day.<ref name="IMDBT">{{cite web|title=IMD Best Tracks Data ( 1990 - 2008 ) |publisher=India Meteorological Department |year=2009 |url=http://www.imd.gov.in/section/nhac/dynamic/bestpara.xls |access-date=July 16, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927080227/http://www.imd.gov.in/section/nhac/dynamic/bestpara.xls |archive-date=September 27, 2013 }}</ref> The small storm moved slowly towards the west and weakened as wind shear began to increase. The storm weakened below tropical storm intensity later that day and the initial final advisory was issued. However, the system redeveloped and advisories resumed the next day. The storm gradually intensified as it moved towards the northwest.<ref name="GPJune Summary"/>

Dvorak satellite intensity estimates on June 6 reached T4.0, corresponding to an intensity of {{convert|120|km/h|mph|abbr=on|round=5}}.<ref name="GPJune Summary">{{cite web|author=Gary Padgett|publisher=Typhoon 2000|date=July 14, 1998|access-date=February 9, 2009|title=Monthly Tropical Cyclone Summary for June 1998|url=http://www.typhoon2000.ph/jun98.txt|archive-date=November 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211109120040/http://www.typhoon2000.ph/jun98.txt|url-status=live}}</ref> The IMD also marked the increase in intensity, upgrading ARB 02 to a severe cyclonic storm.<ref name="IMDBT"/> Around this time, the storm began to turn towards the north and accelerate due to an approaching mid-level trough. As the storm neared the Indian coastline, an eye developed and the storm strengthened into the equivalent of a major hurricane with winds reaching {{convert|185|km/h|mph|abbr=on|round=5}}.<ref name="03A ATCR"/> The IMD assessed the storm to be a very severe cyclonic storm at this time, with winds up to {{convert|165|km/h|mph|abbr=on|round=5}} and a barometric pressure of 958 mbar (hPa).<ref name="IMDBT"/> After slightly weakening early on June 9,<ref name="GPJune Summary"/> 03A re-strengthened, attaining its peak intensity with winds of {{convert|195|km/h|mph|abbr=on|round=5}}.<ref name="03A ATCR"/> Then it made landfall near Porbandar in the Indian state of Gujarat<ref name="GPJune Summary"/> between 01:00 and 02:00 UTC.<ref name="IMDBT"/> The storm weakened following landfall and the JTWC issued their final advisory later that day.<ref name="03A ATCR"/> The IMD continued to monitor ARB 02 until June 10, by which time it had weakened to a depression before dissipating.<ref name="IMDBT"/>

==Impact and aftermath== thumb|right|Microwave image of the cyclonic storm Tropical Cyclone 03A brought a large storm surge of 4.9 m (16 ft) which devastated coastal communities and salt mines.<ref name="GPJune Summary"/> An estimated 4,000 to 10,000 people were killed by the storm,<ref name="Munich Re Group">{{cite web|author=Staff Writer |publisher=Munich Re |title=1998 Natural Catastrophes: Top 10 |url=http://www.munichre.com/en/press/press_releases/1998/1998_12_29_press_release.aspx |date=December 29, 1998 |access-date=December 8, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080210160122/http://www.munichre.com/en/press/press_releases/1998/1998_12_29_press_release.aspx |archive-date=February 10, 2008 }}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/cyclone-vayu-gujarat-landfall-1998-kandla-destruction-1548051-2019-06-13|title=Cyclone Vayu spares Gujarat: 21 yrs ago, a cyclone rained death, killed thousands in state|last=Rawat|first=Mukesh|date=2019-06-13|website=India Today|access-date=2019-06-14|archive-date=2021-11-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211109141837/https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/cyclone-vayu-gujarat-landfall-1998-kandla-destruction-1548051-2019-06-13|url-status=live}}</ref> many of whom were salt mine workers who did not own a radio and received little or no warning of the cyclone. The large loss of life was partially attributed to contractors who wanted to continue making profits and did not inform their workers of the approaching storm.<ref name="GPJune Summary"/> According to the official figures, 1,173 people died and 1,774 people went missing.<ref name=":0" /> Also, the region had witnessed only 17 cyclones since 1890, all of which were weaker than 03A. As a result, its vulnerability was miscalculated by the local population and the disaster management administration.<ref>{{cite book |title=Early warning systems for natural disaster reduction |last=Zschau|first=Jochen |author2=Andreas N. Küppers |year=2003 |publisher=Springer |isbn=978-3-540-67962-2|page=200}}</ref> Power supply to numerous residences was lost due to the storms high winds.<ref name="OCHA03A one">{{cite web|author=Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs|publisher=United Nations|date=June 10, 1998|access-date=February 9, 2009|url=http://cidi.org/disaster/98a/0107.html|title=India: Cyclone Situation Report No. 1|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20050316221915/http://cidi.org/disaster/98a/0107.html |archive-date = March 16, 2005|url-status=dead}}</ref> A microwave tower in Porbandar collapsed, causing widespread disruption in telecommunication.<ref name="OCHA03A two">{{cite web|author=Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs|publisher=United Nations|date=June 11, 1998|access-date=February 9, 2009|url=http://cidi.org/disaster/98a/0110.html|title=India: Cyclone Situation Report No. 2|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20050316215654/http://cidi.org/disaster/98a/0110.html |archive-date = March 16, 2005|url-status=dead}}</ref> Hundreds of other power transmission towers also fell, causing an estimated loss of Rs 10 billion for the Gujarat Electricity Board.<ref name="Insurance">{{cite web|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/res/web/pIe/ie/daily/19980704/18550084.html |title=Insurance companies lose Rs 1,300 crore in Gujarat cyclone |work=Indian Express |date=July 3, 1998 |access-date=May 22, 2009 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20090528135236/http://www.indianexpress.com/res/web/pIe/ie/daily/19980704/18550084.html |archive-date=May 28, 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref> At least 893 people were injured by the storm and over 11,000 animals were killed. Over 162,000 structures were damaged or destroyed throughout the affected area and damages amounted to Rs. 120 billion (US$3 billion).<ref name="OCHA03A four">{{cite web|author=Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs|publisher=United Nations|date=June 19, 1998|access-date=February 9, 2009|url=http://cidi.org/disaster/98a/0119.html|title=India: Cyclone Situation Report No. 4|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20050316214257/http://cidi.org/disaster/98a/0119.html |archive-date = March 16, 2005|url-status=dead}}</ref> In Kandla, the damages were estimated around {{INRConvert|1855.33|c|year=1998}}.<ref name=":0" />

Over the next one month, insurance companies had lost approximately Rs. 13 billion (US$266.5 million).<ref name="Insurance"/> The remnants of the storm produced heavy rains over Pakistan which electrocuted 12 people.<ref name="GPJune Summary"/> In the wake of the storm, the United States Government provided US$25,000 for rehabilitation of the affected population.<ref name="OCHA03A four"/> The Government of Denmark also contributed $72,992 in funds for relief efforts.<ref>{{cite web|author=Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs|publisher=ReliefWeb|date=March 3, 1999|access-date=May 8, 2009|title=India —Cyclone —June 1998 Contributions Report|url=http://www.reliefweb.int/arfts/nd1998/ind981.htm|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060716165442/http://www.reliefweb.int/arfts/nd1998/ind981.htm |archive-date = July 16, 2006|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Gujarat government deployed approximately 330 medical teams to the affected areas. Local aid, amounting to {{nowrap|Rs 1 billion}} (US$20.5 million) was provided to assist victims.<ref name="OCHA03A four2">{{cite web|url=http://cidi.org/disaster/98a/0119.html|title=India: Cyclone Situation Report No. 4|author=Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs|date=June 19, 1998|publisher=United Nations|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050316214257/http://www.cidi.org/disaster/98a/0119.html|archive-date=March 16, 2005|access-date=February 9, 2009}}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== *[http://www.rsmcnewdelhi.imd.gov.in/index.php?lang=en India Meteorological Department]

Category:Extremely severe cyclonic storms Gujarat Cyclone, 1998 Category:Tropical cyclones in Pakistan Category:1990s in Gujarat Category:Disasters in Gujarat