Cyclone Mala

Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm Mala

Extremely severe cyclonic storm (IMD scale)
Category 4 (Saffir–Simpson scale)
Cyclone Mala on April 28 near peak intensity
Formed	April 24, 2006
Dissipated	April 30, 2006
Highest winds	3-minute sustained: 185 km/h (115 mph) 1-minute sustained: 220 km/h (140 mph)
Lowest pressure	954 hPa (mbar); 28.17 inHg (Estimated at 922 mbar (hPa; 27.23 inHg) by JTWC)
Fatalities	37 total
Damage	$6.7 million (2006 USD)
Areas affected	Andaman Islands, Myanmar, and northern Thailand
Part of the 2006 North Indian Ocean cyclone season

Cyclone Mala was the strongest tropical cyclone of the 2006 North Indian Ocean cyclone season. In mid-April, an area of disturbed weather formed over the southern Bay of Bengal and nearby Andaman Sea. Over a period of several days, the system became increasingly organized and was classified as a depression on April 24. Situated within a region of weak steering currents, the storm slowly intensified as it drifted in a general northward direction. It attained gale-force winds and was named Mala the next day. Conditions for strengthening improved markedly on April 27 and Mala subsequently underwent rapid intensification which culminated in the cyclone attaining its peak. Early on April 28, the cyclone had estimated winds of 185 km/h (115 mph). The Joint Typhoon Warning Center considered Mala to have been slightly stronger, classifying it as a Category 4-equivalent cyclone. Steady weakening ensued thereafter and the storm made landfall in Myanmar's Rakhine State on April 29. Rapid dissipation took place once onshore and Mala was last noted early the next morning.

In contrast to Mala's intensity, damage was relatively minimal across Myanmar due to adequate early warnings, while timely and effective evacuations minimized loss of life along the coast. The greatest damage resulted from a thunderstorm near Yangon on April 28 that spawned a possible tornado in an industrial zone. A total of 586 homes were damaged there. Just outside the city in the Hinthada District, a flash flood killed at least 18 people. Overall, the storm claimed 37 lives in the country and left US$6.7 million in damage. In the wake of Mala, the Red Cross distributed relief aid to affected residents while local officials set up shelters to house those left homeless. Government and social organizations donated 5.4 million kyat (US$4,320) in cash to survivors in the Ayeyarwady Region.