:Cyclone Laila

{{storm path|Laila 2010 track.png}}

In the middle of May 2010, an area of convection, or thunderstorms, persisted about 865 miles (1400 km) south of the Indian city of Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) in the Bay of Bengal. It was initially disorganized, although satellite imagery indicated a mid-level circulation.{{cite web|author=Joint Typhoon Warning Center |date=2010-05-15 |title=Significant Tropical Weather Outlook for the Indian Ocean |accessdate=2010-05-17 |url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/ABIO10_201005151800.htm |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20240522072800/https://www.webcitation.org/5pnTwNn4K?url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/ABIO10_201005151800.htm |archivedate=May 22, 2024 }} After a few days, the convection began consolidating around a developing low-level circulation, and rainbands became evident. With low amounts of wind shear in the region, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) assessed its chances of development as fair.{{cite web|author=Joint Typhoon Warning Center |date=2010-05-17 |title=Significant Tropical Weather Outlook for the Indian Ocean |accessdate=2010-05-17 |url=http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/ab/abio10.pgtw..txt |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100808121248/http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/ab/abio10.pgtw..txt |archivedate=August 8, 2010 }} The official warning agency in the basin – the India Meteorological Department (IMD) – classified the system as Depression BOB 001 at 0900 UTC on May 17.{{cite web|author=India Meteorological Department |date=2010-05-17 |title=Depression BOB 01 Advisory 01 |accessdate=2010-05-17 |url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/IMD%20Cyclone%20Warning_201005170941.htm |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20240522072716/https://www.webcitation.org/5pnTcut1u?url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/IMD%20Cyclone%20Warning_201005170941.htm |archivedate=May 22, 2024 }} About three hours after the depression was first classified, the IMD upgraded the system to a deep depression, indicating sustained winds of at least {{convert|34|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}.{{cite web|author=India Meteorological Department |date=2010-05-17 |title=Deep Depression BOB 01 Advisory 02 |accessdate=2010-05-17 |url=http://www.imd.gov.in/section/nhac/dynamic/cwind.htm |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100510150556/http://www.imd.gov.in/section/nhac/dynamic/cwind.htm |archivedate=May 10, 2010 }}

Late on May 17, the JTWC classified the system as Tropical Cyclone 01B, based on further organization. By that time, it was located about 485 miles (780 km) east-southeast of Chennai, Tamil Nadu, and was moving westward due to its position southwest of the subtropical ridge.{{cite web|author=Joint Typhoon Warning Center |date=2010-05-17 |title=Tropical Cyclone 01B Warning NR 001 |accessdate=2010-05-17 |url=http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtio31.pgtw..txt |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100807232013/http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtio31.pgtw..txt |archivedate=August 7, 2010 }} The IMD upgraded the deep depression to Cyclonic Storm Laila early on May 18.{{cite web|author=India Meteorological Organization |date=2010-05-18 |title=Cyclonic Storm Laila Advisory 04 |accessdate=2010-05-18 |url=http://202.54.31.9/section/nhac/dynamic/cwind.htm |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081025092151/http://202.54.31.9/section/nhac/dynamic/cwind.htm |archivedate=October 25, 2008 }} With further consolidation of the convection throughout the day, the JTWC noted that the storm "[appeared] to be rapidly intensifying", which is a term referring to a quick drop in barometric pressure that usually coincides with a sharp increase in winds. By late on May 18, an eye feature became evident on satellite imagery,{{cite web|author=Joint Typhoon Warning Center |date=2010-05-18 |title=Tropical Cyclone 01B (Laila) Warning NR 005 |accessdate=2010-05-18 |url=http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtio31.pgtw..txt |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100807232013/http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtio31.pgtw..txt |archivedate=August 7, 2010 }} and at 0000 UTC on May 19, the JTWC assessed Laila as producing peak winds of {{convert|75|mph|km/h|abbr=on|round=5}}, the equivalent of a minimal hurricane.{{cite web|author=Joint Typhoon Warning Center |date=2010-05-19 |title=Tropical Cyclone 01B (Laila) Warning NR 06 |accessdate=2010-05-18 |url=http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtio31.pgtw..txt |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100807232013/http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtio31.pgtw..txt |archivedate=August 7, 2010 }} A few hours later, the IMD upgraded Laila to a severe cyclonic storm.{{cite web|author=India Meteorological Organization |date=2010-05-19 |title=Severe Cyclonic Storm Laila Advisory 12 |accessdate=2010-05-18 |url=http://www.imd.gov.in/section/nhac/dynamic/rsmc.htm |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100527214641/http://www.imd.gov.in/section/nhac/dynamic/rsmc.htm |archivedate=May 27, 2010 }}

After reaching peak intensity, Laila briefly decelerated as it moved around tan increasing, and the cyclone began weakening as it remained just off the coast.{{cite web|author=Joint Typhoon Warning Center |date=2010-05-19 |title=Tropical Cyclone 01B (Laila) Warning NR 09 |accessdate=2010-05-18 |url=http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtio31.pgtw..txt |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100807232013/http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtio31.pgtw..txt |archivedate=August 7, 2010 }} Between 1100 and 1200 UTC on May 20, Laila made landfall near Bapatla, Andhra Pradesh.{{cite web|author=India Meteorological Organization |date=2010-05-20 |title=Severe Cyclonic Storm Laila Advisory 21 |accessdate=2010-05-20 |url=http://www.imd.gov.in/section/nhac/dynamic/rsmc.htm |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100527214641/http://www.imd.gov.in/section/nhac/dynamic/rsmc.htm |archivedate=May 27, 2010 }}

Cyclone Laila displaced nearly 280,000 people, triggering floods, delaying flights and submerging many areas of capital Colombo. The indirect impact of the cyclone was compounded as heavy pre-monsoonal showers set in over parts of the country as the storm developed over the Bay of Bengal. The Sri Lanka air force helicopters and navy vessels were pressed into service to ferry stranded passengers from Colombo to the international airport after parts of the connecting roads were washed away. All international and domestic flights were either delayed or cancelled because of heavy rain. Colombo experienced 350 mm of rain over the last five days ending May 20.{{Cite web|url=http://www.news.lk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=15338&Itemid=44|title = Department of Government Information Sri Lanka}}

Thousands of passengers were also stranded after railway tracks were flooded across the country. Several train stations had to suspend operations. The Lankan Parliament, located in a Colombo suburb, was adjourned after an adjoining lake threatened to overflow and flood the premises. The weather conditions experienced were caused after Sri Lanka was hit by 'feeder bands' (clouds on the outer spirals of a cyclone but connected to its centre) of the cyclone as it moved up the Indian east coast.{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/Laila-s-touch-brings-destruction-in-Lanka/H1-Article1-545787.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100525101755/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Laila-s-touch-brings-destruction-in-Lanka/H1-Article1-545787.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 25, 2010 |title=Cylone Laila's touch brings destruction in Lanka |work=Hindustan Times|date=2010-05-19 |accessdate=2010-05-28}}

Early in the duration of the cyclone, the IMD noted the potential for heavy rainfall and gusty winds along the coast of Andhra Pradesh. The agency advised fishermen to avoid being in open seas. Additionally, the agency contacted state governments in the region to warn of the storm's threat. The weather office has stated that the cyclone will not have an effect on the monsoon season.{{cite web|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics/nation/Govt-evacuates-people-as-cyclone-Laila-strengthens/articleshow/5948490.cms |title=Govt evacuates people as cyclone Laila strengthens-Politics/Nation-News-The Economic Times |publisher=Economictimes.indiatimes.com |date=2010-05-19 |accessdate=2010-05-28}}

Cyclone Laila battered Ongole town; it received heavy rain of 320 mm on May 20 and 142 mm on May 21, and has made rivulets like Gundlakamma, Addavagu and Pothurajukalva swollen. Addanki received the highest rainfall of 522 mm, followed by Maddipadu with 510 mm and Kothapatnam {{Nowrap|258 mm}} in 24 hours on May 21.{{cite news|author=Special Correspondent |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/article435415.ece |title=The Hindu : States / Tamil Nadu : Ongole: rivulets swollen, villagers marooned |newspaper=The Hindu |publisher=Beta.thehindu.com |date=2010-05-21 |accessdate=2010-05-28}}

The cyclone caused heavy destruction in Prakasam, Krishna and Guntur districts and preliminary reports prepared by the State government put the loss at over Rs 500 crore.{{cite web|last=Menon |first=Nalini |url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/hyderabad/loss-due-laila-state-put-rs-500-cr-099 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100524104443/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/hyderabad/loss-due-laila-state-put-rs-500-cr-099 |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 24, 2010 |title=Loss due to Laila in state put at Rs 500 cr |publisher=Deccan Chronicle |date=2010-05-23 |accessdate=2010-05-28}} According to a BBC report, Cyclone Laila was the worst storm to hit Andhra Pradesh in 14 years.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8696211.stm|title=BBC News – Cyclone Laila 'kills 23' in southern India|work=BBC Online|accessdate=22 May 2010 | date=2010-05-21}}

Nine people were killed in rain related incidents in Tamil Nadu, as the cyclonic storm "Laila" battered the Coastal areas in Northern parts of Tamil Nadu, Chennai city and its suburbs.

{{Portal|Tropical cyclones|India|Sri Lanka}}

{{Reflist|2}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20150517005046/http://www.imd.gov.in/section/nhac/dynamic/cyclone.htm India Meteorological Department]
• [http://www.usno.navy.mil/JTWC Joint Typhoon Warning Center] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100301105349/http://www.usno.navy.mil/JTWC |date=2010-03-01 }}

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{{Disasters in India in 2010}}

Laila

Category:2010 disasters in India

Laila

Laila