Odisha Cyclone

The April 2020 cyclone is the second-worst cyclone to hit this part of India in a few years. On the 7th of April 2020, a strong tornado warning was issued for the whole state including Andhra Pradesh. The warning, however, turned out to be quite false and only the cyclone was reported. Many people lost their lives and many homes and other properties were damaged or destroyed by the storm.

On the 8th of October, the cyclone again caused heavy damage and continued to do so on the following day. So the cyclone moved from the Bay of Bengal to Andhra Pradesh and the severe cyclonic storm continued. It was feared that the Odisha cyclone was going to hit the coast as well. On the 10th of October, the Meteorological Department confirmed the presence of a tropical low-pressure system that continued to move across the Bay of Bengal. This low-pressure system is associated with an easterly airflow over the peninsular area of Odisha.

On the 11th of October, the storm peaked near the coast and moved inland. However, it did not make any striking land impact as it continued on its path across the peninsular. As the tropical depression lingered, showers developed across Odisha and heavy rainfall was reported in some parts of the state. As the storm moved inland, a flash floods occurred in Kalingal, which was followed by flooding in other areas of Andhra Pradesh and an incessant thunderstorm in Venkatakad.

On the 12th of October, heavy showers were reported in almost all the places and this increased the need for flood relief. On the 14th of October, the cyclone became a severe weather storm when it intensified to a tropical depression. Strong winds, rains, and high voltage alert were the main concerns for the residents of the state. Heavy rainfall was recorded at the coastal region and flash floods in Alappuzha, Bekal Fort and other towns and cities in the Eastern Indian States put the lives of the people at risk. Moreover, this became a perfect storm to make the kangaroos displaced from their native range to take refuge in nearby forests.

On the morning of the 15th of October, the cyclone became a severe weather storm with wind speeds of more than 100 mph. Rapid intensification continued during the day and the wind speed reached about 130 mph. The eyewall, which is a strong cold front, advanced northwestwards along the coastline of Andhra Pradesh and extended towards the Bay of Bengal. This extended front pushed back against the advancing cold front, which resulted in a drop in pressure. This resulted in less resistance and the cyclone moved inland, crossing the connecting line between Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. From there, it rapidly progressed to the east and west coast of India and advanced further.

The cyclone has resulted in heavy rainfall, landslides, flash floods, and mudslide down. On the east coast, about three thousand people were reported dead, and more than ten thousand displaced. The death toll is expected to rise as the storm continues to rage. Hundreds of cyclones and severe thunderstorms are expected in the coming days across the eastern coast of India.