Hudhud nearing landfall at peak strength on October 12, 2014
| |
| Formed | October 7, 2014 |
|---|---|
| Dissipated | Currently active |
| Highest winds | 3-minute sustained:175 km/h (110 mph) 1-minute sustained:215 km/h (130 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 960 mbar (hPa); 28.35 inHg (Estimated at 937 hPa (27.67 inHg) by the JTWC[1]) |
| Fatalities | 24 total[2] |
| Damage | $1.63 billion (2014 USD)[3] |
| Areas affected | Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Andhra Pradesh,Odisha |
| Part of the 2014 North Indian Ocean cyclone season | |
Hudhud originated from a low pressure that formed under the influence of an upper-air cyclonic circulation in the Andaman Sea on October 6. The system drifted westward and intensified into a depresion and subsequently into a deep depression the following day. Owing to favorable environmental conditions, Hudhud intensified into a cyclonic storm on October 8. Its convection consolidated in the following hours, and Hudhud became a Severe Cyclonic Storm on October 9. Hudhud underwent rapid deepening in the following days and was classified as a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm by the IMD. Shortly before landfall near Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh on October 12, Hudhud reached its peak strength with three minute wind speeds of 175 km/h (109 mph) and a minimum central pressure of 960 mbar (28.35 inHg).
Meteorological history[edit]
Under the influence of an upper air cyclonic circulation, a low pressure area formed overAndaman Sea on October 6.[6] It slowly consolidated and was upgraded to a depression by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on October 7. While over open waters, the depression continued to encounter favorable environment, and a tropical cyclone formation alert (TCFA) was issued by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC), followed by IMD upgrading the storm into a deep depression.[7][8]
In the early hours of October 8, the JTWC started issuing its advisories for the system as it recorded tropical storm winds at the storm's centre.[9] The IMD later reported that the deep depression made its first landfall over Long Island, Andaman and had reached cyclonic storm intensity, naming it Hudhud.[10] After entering the Bay of Bengal, Hudhud continued to intensify the following day, and was upgraded to a severe cyclonic storm.
Early on October 10, the JTWC classified the storm a Category 1 tropical cyclone after it formed a microwave eye feature and was located in an environment favorable for further intensification with moderate wind shear.[11] The IMD upgraded Hudhud to a very severe cyclonic storm later the same day, and the JTWC further upgraded the storm to a Category 2 tropical cyclone.[12]
On October 11, Hudhud underwent rapid intensification and developed an eye at its center. The storm later was monitored by the doppler radar stationed at Visakhapatnam. The following day, the storm reached its peak intensity with a minimum central pressure of 960 mbar (28.35 inHg) and three-minute average windspeeds of 175 km/h (109 mph). Maintaining intensity, it made landfall near Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh in the early hours of the day.
Preparations and impact[edit]
In light of the storm, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) mobilized 35 teams in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.[13] The East Coast Railway cancelled the services of 38 trains on October 12 when the cyclone made landfall.[14][15]
Andaman and Nicobar Islands[edit]
On October 8, while Hudhud was gaining Cyclonic Storm intensity, the authorities closed schools and cancelled ferry services in and around Andaman Islands. Fishermen were warned about the storm. The Andaman Trunk Road, one of the major roads traversing the island, was shut down after trees were uprooted due to the storm's force. Landslides were reported in the island causing some power and communication lines to fail.[16]
Andhra Pradesh[edit]
An alert was sounded in nine out of thirteen districts of Andhra Pradesh where standing crop of paddy, followed by groundnut, sugarcane, pulses and other horticulture crops were yet to be harvested. 35,000 people were evacuated in Srikakulam district, 6,000 in Vizianagaram district, 15,000 in Visakhapatnam district, 50,000 in East Godavari districtand 5,000 in the West Godavari district. The local government made adequate arrangement to shift half a million people in all.[17]
Hudhud crossed the coast of Andhra Pradesh at 11:30 AM IST of October 12 near Pudimadaka, about 50 km from Visakhapatnam with winds exceeding 185 km/h (115 mph). As per initial reports, 3 people were killed due to heavy rainfall accompanied by strong winds in coastal areas.[18] Within hours after hitting the coast, the cyclone severed off the radar link of Visakhapatnam Cyclone Warning Centre.[19]
On October 13th it was announced that Hudhud had caused at least 24 deaths within Andhra Pradesh[20] and early estimates peg total damage costs at 100 billion rupees(US$1.63 billion)[21] This makes Hudhud the first storm in the basin to cause at least $1 billion in damage since Jal in 2010.
Visakhapatnam, also known as Vizag, bore the brunt of Hudhud, which hit its coast with the speed of 185 kmph. Hundreds of vehicles parked on roads were damaged while heavy rains inundated few colonies. [22]
Odisha[edit]
The Odisha government had placed 16 districts under high alert. The districts alerted in Odisha were Balasore, Kendrapara, Bhadrak, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Ganjam, Mayurbhanj,Jajpur, Cuttack, Khurdha, Nayagarh, Gajapati, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar, Malkangiri and Koraput.
At the time of the storm's landfall, strong winds and heavy rainfall commenced in southern Odisha districts leading to disruption in power supply. Wind speeds reaching 90 km/h (56 mph) were predicted in the region.[23]
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