1989 North Indian Ocean cyclone season
| 1989 North Indian Ocean cyclone season | |
|---|---|
Season summary map
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| Seasonal boundaries | |
| First system formed | May 23, 1989 |
| Last system dissipated | November 10, 1989 |
| Strongest storm | |
| Name | Gay |
| • Maximum winds | 230 km/h (145 mph) (3-minute sustained) |
| • Lowest pressure | 930 hPa (mbar) |
| Seasonal statistics | |
| Depressions | 10 |
| Cyclonic storms | 3 |
| Super cyclonic storms | 1 |
| Total fatalities | 1,785 total |
| Total damage | $25.27 million (1989 USD) |
| Related articles | |
| Severe Cyclonic Storm (IMD) | |
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
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| Duration | May 23 – May 27 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 100 km/h (65 mph) (1-min) 984 hPa (mbar) |
| Depression (IMD) | |
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
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| Duration | June 7 – June 13 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 65 km/h (40 mph) (1-min) 996 hPa (mbar) |
| Cyclonic Storm (IMD) | |
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| Duration | July 22 – July 25 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | Winds not specified |
| Super cyclonic storm (IMD) | |
| Category 5 tropical cyclone (SSHWS) | |
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| Duration | November 4 (entered basin) – November 10 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 230 km/h (145 mph) (3-min) 898 hPa (mbar) |
The 1989 North Indian Ocean cyclone season was a below-average season in annual cycle of tropical cyclone formation. The season has no official bounds but cyclones tend to form between April and December. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the northern Indian Ocean. There are two main seas in the North Indian Ocean—the Bay of Bengal to the east of the Indian subcontinent and the Arabian Sea to the west of India. The official Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre in this basin is the India Meteorological Department (IMD), while the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) releases unofficial advisories. An average of five tropical cyclones form in the North Indian Ocean every season with peaks in May and November. Cyclones occurring between the meridians 45°E and 100°E are included in the season by the IMD.
Throughout the season, the IMD monitored ten depressions, three of which became cyclonic storms. The strongest storm of the year was Super Cyclonic Storm Gay. Crossing the Malay Peninsula into the Bay of Bengal on November 4, Gay became one of the most powerful systems on record in the basin, attaining an estimated pressure of 930 mbar (hPa; 27.46 inHg). Collectively, the storms were responsible for at least 1,785 fatalities, 1,445 of which were due the disastrous flooding triggered by the July Cyclonic Storm, and more than $25 million in damage.
In mid-May, a monsoon trough situated over the Bay of Bengal began showing signs of cyclonic development. By May 20, synoptic data indicated the presence of a weak circulation; however, the system remained disorganized. Following a dramatic increase in convection and organization, the JTWC issued a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert on May 23 and subsequently began monitoring the system as a tropical depression hours later. Initially, the depression tracked slowly towards the north-northwest before abruptly turning westward and slowing due to weak mid-level steering currents. During this time, the storm gradually intensified and was limited by northwesterly wind shear. By May 26, the storm turned northward and accelerated. Later that day, 01B attained its peak intensity with winds of 100 km/h (65 mph) shortly before making landfall in eastern India. The system quickly weakened once inland and was last noted on May 27 as a dissipating low.
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Wikipedia