Severe Cyclonic Storm Onil (India Meteorological Department designation: ARB 03; Joint Typhoon Warning Center designation: 03A) was the first tropical cyclone to be named in the northern Indian Ocean. Forming out of an area of convection several hundred kilometres southwest of India on October 1 2004, Cyclone Onil quickly attained its peak intensity on October 2 with winds of 100 km/h (60 mph) and a barometric pressure of 990 mbar (hPa; 29.23 inHg). However, dry air quickly entered the system, causing it to rapidly weaken to a depression just off the coast of Gujarat, India. Over the following several days, the system took a slow, erratic track towards the south-southeast. After turning northeastward, the system made landfall near Porbandar on October 10 and dissipated shortly thereafter.
Severe Cyclonic Storm Onil
Severe cyclonic storm (IMD scale)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Cyclone Onil off the coast of Pakistan on October 2
Throughout southeastern Pakistan and northwestern India, thousands of residents were evacuated prior to the cyclone's arrival. In these areas, the storm produced moderate to heavy rainfall, peaking at 145 mm (5.7 in) in Thatta, Sindh, Pakistan. These rains led to flash flooding in several areas. Nine people died in several incidents related to the storm in Karachi. The drainage system of Hyderabad sustained significant damage, leading to several protests and demonstrations by city residents. Offshore, 300 fishermen are believed to have gone missing during the storm; no reports have confirmed their whereabouts since they disappeared.
Severe Cyclonic Storm Onil was first identified as an area of convection early on September 30, 2004 situated roughly 465 km (290 mi) southwest of Mumbai, India. Satellite imagery depicted a poorly organized system with deep convection partially surrounding a low-level circulation. Situated over warm water and within an area of moderate wind shear,[1] the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) assessed the system's chances of developing into a tropical cyclone as "fair".[2] Within several hours of being identified, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) began monitoring the system as Depression ARB 03.[3] Despite a decrease in convection later on September 30,[1] the IMD upgraded the cyclone to a deep depression, stating that three-minute sustained winds had reached 55 km/h (35 mph).[3] Early the next day, organization substantially improved,[1] prompting the JTWC to issue a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert.[2] Around 0900 UTC on October 1, the IMD upgraded the deep depression to Cyclonic Storm Onil.[3] Upon being named, the storm became the first tropical cyclone on record to be named in the northern Indian Ocean. The WMO/ESCAP Panel agreed in May 2004 that in September, tropical cyclones in the Northern Indian Ocean attaining gale-force winds would be given names.[4]
Later on October 1, the JTWC issued their first advisory on the storm, classifying it as Tropical Cyclone 03A.[2] Tracking towards the northeast, Onil intensified as convection consolidated around the center of circulation.[1] Roughly 24 hours after being named, the system attained its peak intensity as a severe cyclonic storm with winds of 100 km/h (60 mph) and a barometric pressure of 990 mbar (hPa; 29.23 inHg) according to the IMD with.[3] Upon reaching this strength, the system featured a pinhole eye surrounded by deep convection. Additionally, Dvorak technique intensity estimates reached 3.5, indicating a high-end tropical storm. However, the JTWC stated maximum winds to be 65 km/h (40 mph), a low-end tropical storm.[2] As the storm neared the Indian coastline, dry air quickly entered the circulation, causing most of the convection associated with Onil to dissipate.[1] Located within 100 km (65 mi) of land, the JTWC downgraded the system to a tropical depression and the IMD downgraded Onil to a deep depression.[2][3]
On October 3, the center of Onil skimmed the coastline of northwestern India; however, the center did not cross land.[1] Around this time, the upper-level circulation detached from the low-level circulation, further weakening the storm.[2] Early on October 4, the JTWC stated that the system had degenerated into a non-convective remnant low-pressure system.[5] After executing a counter-clockwise loop, the depression slowly tracked south-southeastward, away from land. By October 7, the system was reclassified as a tropical depression by the JTWC as it stalled several hundred kilometres southwest of Gujarat, India. The system maintained a relatively low intensity for the following several days before making landfall near Porbandar with winds of 45 km/h (30 mph).[5] Within hours of moving inland, Onil dissipated early on October 10.[2]
Impact and aftermath
Microwave satellite image of Cyclone Onil on October 2 depicting the pinhole eye
In northwestern India, thousands of residents were evacuated in fears of Onil striking the region. According to one of the evacuated residents, this was the seventh evacuation due to a cyclone in the area since 1999.[6] On October 10, the storm's remnants brought light to moderate rainfall in India; there was no known rainfall amount exceeding 100 mm (3.9 in) throughout the region.[1]
In southeastern Pakistan, an estimated 6,000 people were evacuated from coastal regions prior to Cyclone Onil's arrival.[1] Port officials warned fishermen not to venture out during the storm due to rough seas.[7] Cyclone Onil brought moderate to heavy rainfall and gusty winds. A maximum of 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain fell in Thatta, Sindh between October 2 and 3.[1] In Hyderabad, heavy rains amounting to 98 mm (3.9 in) caused a 10 ft (3.0 m) section of a drainage system to collapse, prompting the evacuation of several hundred residents.[8][9][10] Throughout Sindh, an estimated 607 square kilometres (234 sq mi) of land was inundated by flood waters, destroying roughly 70% of the cotton crop.[11] In the city of Karachi, nine people were killed in various incidents related to the storm at least 35 mph (56 km/h) winds were reported. Two people were killed after being electrocuted by a downed power line outside their home. Many streets in the city were flooded and power lines were downed.[12] Another one of these people died while trying to clear a drain near her house when a wall collapsed on her.[13] Offshore, 163 fishermen were reported to be missing after being caught in the storm.[14] However, reports from Pakistani officials stated that at least 300 fishermen were missing.[8] In other areas, power was lost for more than 48 hours after Onil moved through the region.[15] Around Karo Gongro, 100 people were stranded along a major roadway after flash flooding struck the area.[16]
In the wake of the storm, Pakistani officials set up 26 relief camps where residents were offered food and shelter.[15] Roughly 3,000 people sought refuge in these shelters.[11] Mobile units were also set up by the District Health Department to minimize the impacts of any post-storm diseases.[15] On October 3, Imtiaz Ahmed Shaikh expressed his grief over the damage caused by Cyclonic Storm Onil and stated that he would be touring the affected region within the following days.[17] At least 40 million Pakistani rupee ($469,000 USD) was allocated in relief funds by Sindh Minister Syed Papoo Shah.[8] On October 4, port officials stated that it was safe for fishermen to resume their activities in the Arabian Sea.[18] Later that day, a rain emergency was declared for Hyderabad and emergency shelters were set up in the city. All officers in the Hyderabad Development Authority who were initially put on leave ahead of the cyclone were told to resume work to assist in clearing drainage systems.[19] Several days after the storm, reports indicated that there were more than 300 instances where the city's drainage system collapsed across the area, resulting in standing water in many structures. Residents in these areas, frustrated by the lack of quick action by the government, began holding protests about the flooding. In response to these protests, Shaukat Hayat Bhutto suspended Assistant Engineer Sewage manager, Qamar Memon, for his negligence on draining flood waters.[20]
^Staff Writer (October 5, 2004). "District. Residents protest against accumulation of rainwater". Pakistani Press International. Retrieved June 13, 2010.[dead link]
External links
The Joint Typhoon Warning Center's Annual Tropical Cyclone Report for 2004 2011-06-07 at the Wayback Machine
Gary Padgett's Monthly Tropical Weather Summary for October 2004
January 07, 2023
cyclone, onil, severe, cyclonic, storm, onil, india, meteorological, department, designation, joint, typhoon, warning, center, designation, first, tropical, cyclone, named, northern, indian, ocean, forming, area, convection, several, hundred, kilometres, south. Severe Cyclonic Storm Onil India Meteorological Department designation ARB 03 Joint Typhoon Warning Center designation 03A was the first tropical cyclone to be named in the northern Indian Ocean Forming out of an area of convection several hundred kilometres southwest of India on October 1 2004 Cyclone Onil quickly attained its peak intensity on October 2 with winds of 100 km h 60 mph and a barometric pressure of 990 mbar hPa 29 23 inHg However dry air quickly entered the system causing it to rapidly weaken to a depression just off the coast of Gujarat India Over the following several days the system took a slow erratic track towards the south southeast After turning northeastward the system made landfall near Porbandar on October 10 and dissipated shortly thereafter Severe Cyclonic Storm OnilSevere cyclonic storm IMD scale Tropical storm SSHWS Cyclone Onil off the coast of Pakistan on October 2FormedSeptember 30 2004DissipatedOctober 3 2004 Remnant low after October 10 Highest winds3 minute sustained 100 km h 65 mph 1 minute sustained 65 km h 40 mph Lowest pressure990 hPa mbar 29 23 inHgFatalities9 total 300 missingDamageNoneAreas affectedIndia and PakistanPart of the 2004 North Indian Ocean cyclone seasonThroughout southeastern Pakistan and northwestern India thousands of residents were evacuated prior to the cyclone s arrival In these areas the storm produced moderate to heavy rainfall peaking at 145 mm 5 7 in in Thatta Sindh Pakistan These rains led to flash flooding in several areas Nine people died in several incidents related to the storm in Karachi The drainage system of Hyderabad sustained significant damage leading to several protests and demonstrations by city residents Offshore 300 fishermen are believed to have gone missing during the storm no reports have confirmed their whereabouts since they disappeared Contents 1 Meteorological history 2 Impact and aftermath 3 See also 4 References 5 External linksMeteorological history Edit Map plotting the storm s track and intensity according to the Saffir Simpson scaleMap keySaffir Simpson scale Tropical depression 38 mph 62 km h Tropical storm 39 73 mph 63 118 km h Category 1 74 95 mph 119 153 km h Category 2 96 110 mph 154 177 km h Category 3 111 129 mph 178 208 km h Category 4 130 156 mph 209 251 km h Category 5 157 mph 252 km h Unknown Storm type Tropical cyclone Subtropical cyclone Extratropical cyclone Remnant low Tropical disturbance Monsoon depression Severe Cyclonic Storm Onil was first identified as an area of convection early on September 30 2004 situated roughly 465 km 290 mi southwest of Mumbai India Satellite imagery depicted a poorly organized system with deep convection partially surrounding a low level circulation Situated over warm water and within an area of moderate wind shear 1 the Joint Typhoon Warning Center JTWC assessed the system s chances of developing into a tropical cyclone as fair 2 Within several hours of being identified the India Meteorological Department IMD began monitoring the system as Depression ARB 03 3 Despite a decrease in convection later on September 30 1 the IMD upgraded the cyclone to a deep depression stating that three minute sustained winds had reached 55 km h 35 mph 3 Early the next day organization substantially improved 1 prompting the JTWC to issue a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert 2 Around 0900 UTC on October 1 the IMD upgraded the deep depression to Cyclonic Storm Onil 3 Upon being named the storm became the first tropical cyclone on record to be named in the northern Indian Ocean The WMO ESCAP Panel agreed in May 2004 that in September tropical cyclones in the Northern Indian Ocean attaining gale force winds would be given names 4 Later on October 1 the JTWC issued their first advisory on the storm classifying it as Tropical Cyclone 03A 2 Tracking towards the northeast Onil intensified as convection consolidated around the center of circulation 1 Roughly 24 hours after being named the system attained its peak intensity as a severe cyclonic storm with winds of 100 km h 60 mph and a barometric pressure of 990 mbar hPa 29 23 inHg according to the IMD with 3 Upon reaching this strength the system featured a pinhole eye surrounded by deep convection Additionally Dvorak technique intensity estimates reached 3 5 indicating a high end tropical storm However the JTWC stated maximum winds to be 65 km h 40 mph a low end tropical storm 2 As the storm neared the Indian coastline dry air quickly entered the circulation causing most of the convection associated with Onil to dissipate 1 Located within 100 km 65 mi of land the JTWC downgraded the system to a tropical depression and the IMD downgraded Onil to a deep depression 2 3 On October 3 the center of Onil skimmed the coastline of northwestern India however the center did not cross land 1 Around this time the upper level circulation detached from the low level circulation further weakening the storm 2 Early on October 4 the JTWC stated that the system had degenerated into a non convective remnant low pressure system 5 After executing a counter clockwise loop the depression slowly tracked south southeastward away from land By October 7 the system was reclassified as a tropical depression by the JTWC as it stalled several hundred kilometres southwest of Gujarat India The system maintained a relatively low intensity for the following several days before making landfall near Porbandar with winds of 45 km h 30 mph 5 Within hours of moving inland Onil dissipated early on October 10 2 Impact and aftermath Edit Microwave satellite image of Cyclone Onil on October 2 depicting the pinhole eye In northwestern India thousands of residents were evacuated in fears of Onil striking the region According to one of the evacuated residents this was the seventh evacuation due to a cyclone in the area since 1999 6 On October 10 the storm s remnants brought light to moderate rainfall in India there was no known rainfall amount exceeding 100 mm 3 9 in throughout the region 1 In southeastern Pakistan an estimated 6 000 people were evacuated from coastal regions prior to Cyclone Onil s arrival 1 Port officials warned fishermen not to venture out during the storm due to rough seas 7 Cyclone Onil brought moderate to heavy rainfall and gusty winds A maximum of 145 mm 5 7 in of rain fell in Thatta Sindh between October 2 and 3 1 In Hyderabad heavy rains amounting to 98 mm 3 9 in caused a 10 ft 3 0 m section of a drainage system to collapse prompting the evacuation of several hundred residents 8 9 10 Throughout Sindh an estimated 607 square kilometres 234 sq mi of land was inundated by flood waters destroying roughly 70 of the cotton crop 11 In the city of Karachi nine people were killed in various incidents related to the storm at least 35 mph 56 km h winds were reported Two people were killed after being electrocuted by a downed power line outside their home Many streets in the city were flooded and power lines were downed 12 Another one of these people died while trying to clear a drain near her house when a wall collapsed on her 13 Offshore 163 fishermen were reported to be missing after being caught in the storm 14 However reports from Pakistani officials stated that at least 300 fishermen were missing 8 In other areas power was lost for more than 48 hours after Onil moved through the region 15 Around Karo Gongro 100 people were stranded along a major roadway after flash flooding struck the area 16 In the wake of the storm Pakistani officials set up 26 relief camps where residents were offered food and shelter 15 Roughly 3 000 people sought refuge in these shelters 11 Mobile units were also set up by the District Health Department to minimize the impacts of any post storm diseases 15 On October 3 Imtiaz Ahmed Shaikh expressed his grief over the damage caused by Cyclonic Storm Onil and stated that he would be touring the affected region within the following days 17 At least 40 million Pakistani rupee 469 000 USD was allocated in relief funds by Sindh Minister Syed Papoo Shah 8 On October 4 port officials stated that it was safe for fishermen to resume their activities in the Arabian Sea 18 Later that day a rain emergency was declared for Hyderabad and emergency shelters were set up in the city All officers in the Hyderabad Development Authority who were initially put on leave ahead of the cyclone were told to resume work to assist in clearing drainage systems 19 Several days after the storm reports indicated that there were more than 300 instances where the city s drainage system collapsed across the area resulting in standing water in many structures Residents in these areas frustrated by the lack of quick action by the government began holding protests about the flooding In response to these protests Shaukat Hayat Bhutto suspended Assistant Engineer Sewage manager Qamar Memon for his negligence on draining flood waters 20 See also Edit Tropical cyclones portal2004 North Indian Ocean cyclone season List of wettest known tropical cyclones in PakistanReferences Edit a b c d e f g h i Gary Padgett May 17 2005 Monthly Tropical Weather Summary for October 2004 Australia Severe Weather Retrieved June 10 2010 a b c d e f g Joint Typhoon Warning Center 2005 2004 Annual Tropical Cyclone Report PDF Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command Retrieved June 13 2010 a b c d e IMD Best Tracks Data 1990 2008 India Meteorological Department 2009 Archived from the original on November 16 2009 Retrieved June 13 2010 Report on Cyclonic Disturbances Over North Indian Ocean During 2009 PDF India Meteorological Department January 2010 Archived from the original PDF on December 4 2010 Retrieved June 13 2010 a b Joint Typhoon Warning Center 2005 Tropical Cyclone 03A Onil Best Track Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command Retrieved June 13 2010 Rupak Sanyal October 3 2004 Cyclone fear wanes thousands return home after evacuation in western India Associated Press Archived from the original on November 4 2012 Retrieved June 10 2010 Staff Writer October 3 2004 Cyclone hits Sindh coastal line Pakistani Press International Retrieved June 13 2010 dead link a b c Staff Writer October 3 2004 300 Fishermen Missing As Cyclone Calms Down After Dashing Keti Bunder Pakistani Press International Retrieved June 13 2010 dead link Staff Writer October 3 2004 Weather Forecast Rain Thunderstorm expected Pakistani Press International Retrieved June 13 2010 dead link Staff Writer October 3 2004 Heavy rainfall lashes out lower Sindh Pakistani Press International Retrieved June 13 2010 dead link a b Staff Writer October 4 2004 Rain plays havoc in lower Sindh Dawn Retrieved June 10 2010 Staff Writer October 3 2004 A cyclone in southern Pakistan kills nine people Associated Press Archived from the original on November 4 2012 Retrieved June 10 2010 Staff Writer October 4 2004 District Woman dies as the wall collapses Pakistani Press International Retrieved June 13 2010 dead link Staff Writer October 10 2004 Earthweek Diary of the Planet Tropical Cyclones Gainesville Sun p 44 Retrieved June 10 2010 a b c Staff Writer October 6 2004 Rains cyclone cause Heavy Losses in southern Pakistan Pakistan Times Archived from the original on October 10 2004 Retrieved June 10 2010 Staff Writer October 3 2004 District Badin Arabian sea cyclone hits Sindh coast at 0400 hours on Sunday thousands of villagers evacuated Pakistani Press International Retrieved June 13 2010 dead link Staff Writer October 3 2004 Imtiaz Shaikh expresses grief over destruction caused by rains Pakistani Press International Retrieved June 13 2010 dead link Staff Writer October 4 2004 Cyclone dissipates Met office advises fishermen to resume activities Pakistani Press International Retrieved June 13 2010 dead link Staff Writer October 4 2004 District Hyd HDA declares emergency Pakistani Press International Retrieved June 13 2010 dead link Staff Writer October 5 2004 District Residents protest against accumulation of rainwater Pakistani Press International Retrieved June 13 2010 dead link External links EditThe Joint Typhoon Warning Center s Annual Tropical Cyclone Report for 2004 Archived 2011 06 07 at the Wayback Machine The Indian Meteorological Department s Best Track file for 1990 2008 Gary Padgett s Monthly Tropical Weather Summary for October 2004 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Cyclone Onil amp oldid 1129065659, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
