New Delhi: Rains have continued in Tamil Nadu’s Cauvery Delta areas, affecting standing paddy Crops. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), heavy to extremely heavy rain will likely happen in a few places in the Cuddalore and Mayiladuthurai districts. A deep depression over the southwest Bay of Bengal is moving north at a speed of 10 km/h. It is currently located about 470 km southeast of Nagapattinam and 670 km south-southeast of Chennai. According to IMD Regional Meteorological Centre updates, this deep depression will likely strengthen into a cyclonic storm on November 27.
As Cyclone Fengal is expected to make landfall by November 29, let’s look at major cyclones that have hit Tamil Nadu in the last ten years.
Cyclones that hit Tamil Nadu in the last 10 years
2023
Severe Cyclonic Storm Michaung
In late November, a low-pressure system moved into the Bay of Bengal from the Gulf of Thailand. On December 1, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) announced a depression had formed in the South Andaman Sea. It was expected to move northwest and grow stronger in the Bay of Bengal. By December 2, 2023, the system intensified into a deep depression, located about 440 km east-southeast of Puducherry. Soon after, it became a cyclonic storm named Michaung. As the storm approached land, it brought heavy rain and strong winds. Chennai, Tamil Nadu’s capital, experienced the heavy rains in over 100 years, leading to widespread flooding and disrupting daily life. More than 9,000 people were evacuated from low-lying coastal areas for safety.
2022
Cyclone Mandous
Cyclone Mandous hit near Chennai in December, causing moderate damage in South India. Four people died in Tamil Nadu. After that, the cyclone’s remains moved into the Arabian Sea and became Deep Depression ARB 03.
2021
Depression BOB 05 and Depression BOB 06
Depression BOB 05 and BOB 06 both hit Tamil Nadu, bringing very heavy rainfall to the state, Puducherry, and Andhra Pradesh. The second depression caused historic flooding in Rayalaseema, the worst in 20 years, and additional rainfall in the area. Overall, nearly one hundred people lost their lives due to both systems.
2020
Cyclonic Storm Burevi
Cyclonic Storm Burevi caused heavy rainfall in south India, especially in Tamil Nadu, which Cyclone Nivar had already hit. The storm resulted in 9 deaths.
2016
Cyclonic Storm Roanu
Cyclonic Storm Roanu followed an uncommon path in May, moving along the East Coast of India. It brought much-needed rain to Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha, dealing with a serious heatwave caused by El Nio.
Cyclonic Storm Vardah
Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Vardah hit Tamil Nadu directly in Chennai, resulting in the death of 12 people and causing $4.3 billion in damages.
2015
Deep Depression BOB 03
On November 8, a low-pressure area developed into a depression. It started to strengthen, which made the Joint Typhoon Warning Center issued a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert (TCFA) for the storm. However, this alert was later cancelled despite the storm looking better before it reached land. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) upgraded the storm to a deep depression before it made landfall in Tamil Nadu the next day. At that time, it had peak wind speeds of 55 km/h (35 mph) and a minimum central pressure of 991 hPa (29.26 inHg).
By November 10, it became a well-marked low-pressure area over northern Tamil Nadu. The storm caused heavy rainfall along the coast of Tamil Nadu. Neyveli, a mining town southwest of Puducherry, recorded 139 mm of rain on November 9 and 483 mm on November 10, with 450 mm falling in just nine hours. At least 71 people died in various flooding incidents across Tamil Nadu.
Tamil Nadu has experienced significant cyclonic activity in the last decade, impacting agriculture, infrastructure and human life. Recent storms like Michaung (2023) and Mandous (2022) caused widespread flooding and damage. This article lists cyclones that have hit Tamil Nadu in the last ten years. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
