| Super cyclonic storm (IMD) | |
|---|---|
| Category 4 Tropical Cyclone (SSHS) | |
| Super Cyclonic Storm BOB 01 | |
| Formed | May 5, 1990 |
| Dissipated | May 10, 1990 |
| Highest winds | 3-minute sustained: 230 km/h (145 mph) 1-minute sustained: 230 km/h (145 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 920 mbar (hPa; 27.17 inHg) |
| Fatalities | 967 total |
| Damage | $600 million (1990 USD) |
| Areas affected | India |
| Part of the 1990 North Indian Ocean cyclone season | |
The 1990 Andhra Pradesh cyclone (IMD Designation: BOB01, JTWC Designation: 02B) was the worst disaster to affect Southern India since the 1977 Andhra Pradesh cyclone. The cyclone formed as a tropical disturbance early on May 4, 1990 while moving towards the northwest. During the next day the depression intensified into a cyclonic storm and started to intensify rapidly, becoming a super cyclonic storm early on May 8. The cyclone weakened slightly before it made landfall on India about 300 km (190 mi) to the north of Madras in the Andhra Pradesh state as a very severe cyclonic storm with winds of 165 km/h (105 mph). While over land the cyclone gradually dissipated. The cyclone had a severe impact on India, with over 967 people reported to have been killed. Over 100,000 animals also died in the cyclone with the total cost of damages to crops estimated at over $600 million (1990 USD).
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Early on May 3, 1990, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) reported that a tropical disturbance had formed in the Bay of Bengal about 800 km (500 mi) to the east of Sri Lanka.[1] The disturbance was then designated as Depression BOB 01 early the next day by the India Meteorological Department. A tropical cyclone formation alert was issued by the JTWC while the cyclone was moving towards the northwest under the influence of a subtropical ridge.[2][3] The depression was then upgraded to a cyclonic storm early on May 5 before being designated as Tropical Cyclone 02B later that day with winds equivalent to that of a weak tropical storm.[2][3]
Although the cyclone had a good outflow, the JTWC expected the system to make landfall in Tamil Nadu within 72 hours and intensify only marginally. However, as the cyclone turned towards the northwest, a weakness in the subtropical ridge allowed the system to turn to more to the north than initially anticipated. As a result, the cyclone stayed offshore longer and rapidly strengthened; it became a very severe cyclonic storm early on May 6 as it had winds equivalent to a hurricane.[2][3]
Over the next couple of days the cyclone intensified further, becoming a super cyclonic storm on May 8 with both 3-minute and 1-minute peak wind speeds of 240 km/h (150 mph). These winds correspond to Category 4 status on the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale. After reaching peak intensity, the storm weakened later that day into a very severe cyclonic storm as it moved closer to land. At 1200 UTC on May 9, the cyclone made landfall about 300 km (190 mi) to the north of Madras, in the vicinity of Machilipatnam, in Andhra Pradesh state as a very severe cyclonic storm with winds of 165 km/h (105 mph). While over land, the cyclone gradually weakened into a depression, and the IMD reported that it had dissipated early on May 10.[2][3]
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.[3][4]
On Edurumandi 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.[3][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.[3] 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).[3][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]
On May 11, 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 wcc/cicarws issued an appeal for $262 thousand (1990 USD) so they could provide immediate needs with World Vision providing $160 thousand (1990 USD) for food blankets and utensils.[4]