Cyclone Hamoon
{{Short description|North Indian Ocean cyclone in 2023}}
{{good article}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{Infobox weather event
| name = Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Hamoon
| image = Hamoon 2023-10-24 0430Z.jpg
| caption= Hamoon near peak intensity while approaching Bangladesh on 24 October
| formed = 21 October 2023
| dissipated = 25 October 2023
}}{{Infobox weather event/IMD
| winds = 65
| pressure = 984
}}{{Infobox weather event/JTWC
| winds = 90
| pressure = 978
}}{{Infobox weather event/Effects
| fatalities = 5
| missing =
| year = 2023
| damages = 250000000
| injuries = 63
| areas = Bangladesh, Myanmar, Northeast India
}}{{Infobox weather event/Footer
| season = 2023 North Indian Ocean cyclone season
}}
Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Hamoon{{efn|The name, a Persian word referring to inland desert lakes or marshlands, was suggested by Iran. These lakes are natural seasonal reservoirs in areas adjoining the Helmand basin.{{Cite news |date=24 October 2023 |title=How did Cyclone Hamoon get its name? |url=https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/how-did-cyclone-hamoon-get-its-name-725746 |access-date=24 October 2023 |newspaper=The Business Standard |language=en |archive-date=29 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231229121411/https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/cyclone-sitrang-everything-you-need-know-519122ill-be-affected-read-on |url-status=live}}}} ({{IPAc-en|h|ɑː|'|m|u|n}}) was a moderately strong tropical cyclone that affected Bangladesh, India, and Myammar during October 2023. The fourth named storm of the 2023 North Indian Ocean cyclone season, Hamoon formed from a low-pressure area over the west-central Bay of Bengal on 21 October. Initially slowly developing, after it entered an area favorable for development, it rapidly intensified, peaking as a very severe cyclonic storm on 24 October. However, soon after, Hamoon weakened due to wind shear, later making landfall in Bangladesh as a severe cyclonic storm. Once inland, Hamoon degenerated into a low-pressure area, last being noted on 26 October.
Prior to Hamoon's landfall, officials in Bangladesh ordered the evacuation of over 1.5 million people as it was expected to have a severe impact on the nation. As Hamoon made its devastating landfall in Bangladesh on 26 October, five people died from Hamoon's winds. Additionally, 63 others sustained injuries. Over 6 million lost power, primarily in the port of Cox's Bazar, where several days after Hamoon made landfall, over 5 million were still without power. Elsewhere, a weakening Hamoon mainly brought light rainfall to India and Myanmar. In total, according to Aon, the cyclone caused around $250 million in damage.
Meteorological history
{{Storm path|Hamoon 2023 path.png|colors=new|alt=Track map of Cyclone Hamoon.}}
On 12 October, in their extended range outlook, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) noted that in a few days, tropical cyclonegenesis was likely to occur in the Bay of Bengal.{{Cite report |title=Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm 'HAMOON' over the Bay of Bengal (21st - 25th October, 2023): A Report |date=11 June 2024 |url=https://rsmcnewdelhi.imd.gov.in/uploads/report/26/26_0d3570_Very%20Severe%20Cyclonic%20Storm%20HAMOON-A%20Brief%20Report_11June2024.pdf |access-date=7 September 2024 |publisher=India Meteorological Department (Cyclone Warning Division) |location=New Delhi, India}} Several days later, on 17 October, they began monitoring a cyclonic circulation over the southeastern Bay of Bengal.{{Cite report |title=Tropical Weather Outlook |date=17 October 2023 |url=https://rsmcnewdelhi.imd.gov.in/uploads/archive/2/2_3915d3_TROPICAL%20WEATHER%20OUTLOOK%20based%20on%200300%20UTC%20of%2017.10.2023.pdf |access-date=7 September 2024 |publisher=India Meteorological Department |location=New Delhi, India}} Developing, on 20 October, a low-pressure area formed from this circulation over the southcentral Bay of Bengal.{{Cite report |title=Tropical Weather Outlook |date=20 October 2023 |url=https://rsmcnewdelhi.imd.gov.in/uploads/archive/2/2_c60c97_1.%20SPECIAL%20TROPICAL%20WEATHER%20OUTLOOK%20based%20on%200300%20UTC%20of%2020.10.2023.pdf |access-date=7 September 2024 |publisher=India Meteorological Department |location=New Delhi, India}} A few hours later, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) began tracking the system, noting that the low-level circulation was in an favorable environment for development, with low {{cvt|5-10|kn|mph km/h|order=out|round=5}} vertical wind shear and warm sea surface temperatures (SSTs) of {{cvt|29-30|C|F}}, only offset by the disturbance's poor outflow.{{cite JTWC |type=abio |date=20 October 2023 |time=1420Z |access-date=7 September 2024 |url=https://ia600103.us.archive.org/2/items/jtwc-archive-txt-2023/2023-10-20-1420-abioweb.txt}} As a result, early the next day, the disturbance developed into a well-marked low-pressure area.{{Cite report |title=Tropical Weather Outlook |date=21 October 2023 |url=https://rsmcnewdelhi.imd.gov.in/uploads/archive/2/2_6c1df5_2.%20TROPICALCYCLONE%20ADVISORY%20based%20on%200300%20UTC%20of%2021.10.2023.pdf |access-date=7 September 2024 |publisher=India Meteorological Department |location=New Delhi, India}} Consolidating as it generated good outflow aloft,{{cite JTWC |type=abio |date=21 October 2023 |time=1800Z |access-date=7 September 2024 |url=https://ia800103.us.archive.org/2/items/jtwc-archive-txt-2023/2023-10-21-1740-abioweb.txt}} by the night of 21 October, the low-pressure area had become a depression.{{Cite report |title=Tropical Weather Outlook |date=21 October 2023 |url=https://rsmcnewdelhi.imd.gov.in/uploads/archive/2/2_6c6f75_7.%20TROPICALCYCLONE%20ADVISORY%20based%20on%201800%20UTC%20of%2021.10.2023.pdf |access-date=7 September 2024 |publisher=India Meteorological Department |location=New Delhi, India}}
File:Hamoon 2023-10-23 2310Z-2023-10-24 0310Z.gif
Initially tracking north-northwestward, after it recurved northwestward the next day, the depression developed further, becoming a deep depression at 12:00 UTC that day. Around six hours later, the JTWC issued a TCFA on the deep depression, noting that it had developed convective banding across all quadrants and good poleward outflow.{{cite JTWC |designation=92B |type=tcfa |date=22 October 2023 |time=1800Z |access-date=7 September 2024 |url=https://ia600103.us.archive.org/2/items/jtwc-archive-txt-2023/2023-10-22-1730-io9223web.txt}} As a result, the JTWC recognized the system as Tropical Cyclone 06B around that time,{{cite JTWC |designation=06B |name=Six |category=TC |no=1 |type=warn |date=23 October 2023 |time=0900Z |access-date=7 September 2024 |url=https://ia600103.us.archive.org/2/items/jtwc-archive-txt-2023/2023-10-23-0750-io0623web.txt}} prior to it intensifying into a cyclonic storm and being named Hamoon by the IMD.{{Cite report |title=Tropical Weather Outlook |date=23 October 2023 |url=https://rsmcnewdelhi.imd.gov.in/uploads/archive/2/2_15d389_21.%20TROPICALCYCLONE%20ADVISORY%20based%20on%201200%20UTC%20of%2023.10.2023.pdf |access-date=7 September 2024 |publisher=India Meteorological Department |location=New Delhi, India}} Early the next day, the depression would encounter an environment with high SSTS of {{cvt|29-30|C|F}}, low to moderate vertical wind shear, strong low-level vorticity, and convergence in the vicinity of the cyclone alongside strong upper-level divergence above the system, causing the system to undergo rapid intensification.
Intensifying into a severe cyclonic storm early on 24 October,{{Cite report |title=Tropical Weather Outlook |date=24 October 2023 |url=https://rsmcnewdelhi.imd.gov.in/uploads/archive/2/2_1822ba_25.%20TROPICALCYCLONE%20ADVISORY%20based%20on%200000UTC%20of%2024.10.2023.pdf |access-date=7 September 2024 |publisher=India Meteorological Department |location=New Delhi, India}} Hamoon soon further developed, becoming a very severe cyclonic storm just a few hours later,{{Cite report |title=Tropical Weather Outlook |date=24 October 2023 |url=https://rsmcnewdelhi.imd.gov.in/uploads/archive/2/2_fab8fd_26.%20TROPICALCYCLONE%20ADVISORY%20based%20on%200300UTC%20of%2024.10.2023.pdf |access-date=7 September 2024 |publisher=India Meteorological Department |location=New Delhi, India}} peaking with 3-minute sustained winds of {{cvt|65|kn|mph km/h|order=out|round=5}} around that time. A few hours later, Hamoon would peak with 1-minute sustained winds of {{cvt|85|kn|mph km/h|order=out|round=5}}, making it a Category 2-equivalent hurricane on the Saffir–Simpson scale.{{Cite report |title=Cyclone 06B (Hamoon) Best Track Data |date= |url=https://www.ssd.noaa.gov/PS/TROP/DATA/ATCF/JTWC/bio062023.dat |author=Joint Typhoon Warning Center |access-date=7 September 2024 |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration}} However, as it tracked northeastwards due to a trough embedded in the westerlies, it crossed into a region of high wind shear, weakening into a severe cyclonic storm a few hours later.{{Cite report |title=Tropical Weather Outlook |date=24 October 2023 |url=https://rsmcnewdelhi.imd.gov.in/uploads/archive/2/2_a19406_27.%20MODIFIED%20TROPICALCYCLONE%20ADVISORY%20based%20on%200600UTC%20of%2024.10.2023.pdf |access-date=7 September 2024 |publisher=India Meteorological Department |location=New Delhi, India}} Later that day, Hamoon made landfall south of Chittagong, Bangladesh as a severe tropical storm, prompting the JTWC to stop tracking it.{{cite JTWC |designation=06B |name=Six |no=7 |category=TC |type=warn |date=23 October 2023 |time=0900Z |access-date=7 September 2024 |url=https://ia600103.us.archive.org/2/items/jtwc-archive-txt-2023/2023-10-24-2030-io0623web.txt}} Weakening rapidly once inland, on 12:00 UTC on 25 October, Hamoon degenerated into a well-marked low. These remnants further weakened, last being monitored as a low-pressure area over northeastern India the next day.{{Cite report |title=Tropical Weather Outlook |date=26 October 2023 |url=https://rsmcnewdelhi.imd.gov.in/uploads/archive/2/2_8729e7_TROPICAL%20WEATHER%20OUTLOOK%20based%20on%200300%20UTC%20of%2026.10.2023.pdf |access-date=7 September 2024 |publisher=India Meteorological Department |location=New Delhi, India}}
Preparations
= Bangladesh =
On 24 October, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) issued Danger Signal No. 7 for the coastal districts of Barisal, Patuakhali, Bhola, Borguna, Pirojpur, Jhalokathi, Chittagong, Feni, Noakhali, Lakshmipur, and Chandpur, while advising the maritime ports of Payra and Chittagong to hoist Danger Signal No. 7 as well. Elsewhere, the maritime port of Cox's Bazar was advised to hoist Danger Signal No. 6, while the port of Mongla was advised to hoist Danger Signal No. 5.{{cite news |title=Chittagong, Payra ports advised to hoist signal No 7 |url=https://en.prothomalo.com/environment/bmjd4oirif |access-date=8 September 2024 |work=Prothomalo |date=24 October 2023 |language=en}} Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) halted all river traffic in the nation.{{cite news |title=BIWTA halts all river traffic as Cyclone Hamoon approaches |url=https://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/skcahjwyye |access-date=8 September 2024 |website=bdnews24.com |date=24 October 2023 |language=en}} The Chittagong Port Authority dispatched eighty-eight ships to the deep sea in order to safeguard against potential damages from Cyclone Hamoon.{{cite news |title=88 ships set sail for deep sea to dodge potential damage from Cyclone Hamoon |url=https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/88-ships-set-sail-deep-sea-dodge-potential-damage-cyclone-hamoon-726014 |access-date=24 October 2023 |work=The Business Standard |date=24 October 2023 |language=en}}
The government implemented measures to evacuate 1.5 million people from vulnerable areas, relocating them to government shelters across ten coastal districts in preparation for Cyclone Hamoon.{{cite news |title=Bangladesh evacuating 1.5M people as Cyclone Hamoon approaches |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/bangladesh-evacuating-15m-people-as-cyclone-hamoon-approaches/3031183 |access-date=24 October 2023 |publisher=Anadolu Agency}} In St. Martin's Island, over fifteen hundred tourists were ordered to leave due to adverse weather conditions caused by Hamoon, being sent back to nearby Teknaf using three ships.{{cite news |last1=Shishir |first1=Joynal Abedin |title=Cyclone 'Hamoon' likely to make landfall Wednesday, signal 4 |url=https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/environment/deep-depression-intensifies-cyclone-storm-hamoon-725342 |access-date=8 September 2024 |work=The Business Standard |date=23 October 2023 |language=en}} However, over 250 of these tourists disobeyed these orders.{{cite news |title=Cyclone Hamoon: Tourists defy directive on not going to beach in Cox's Bazar |url=https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/tourists-defy-danger-signals-cyclone-hamoon-approaches-coxs-bazar-725786 |access-date=8 September 2024 |work=The Business Standard |date=24 October 2023 |language=en}} Elsewhere, around 576 shelters in nine upazilas of Cox's Bazar District were activated. In Barisal District, 541 cyclone response centers were established, alongside sixty-one medical teams and 322 tonnes of rice. Elsewhere, in Lakshmipur District, 285 shelters were arranged by the district's administration. Ships on the Lakshmipur-Bhola-Barishal route and ferries on the Lakshmipur-Bhola route were suspended. In Chittagong District, 803 shelters were opened, as around eighty-eight hundred volunteers and 290 medical teams being readied. By 24 October, over five hundred people were staying in shelters.{{cite news |title=Southern districts on alert to tackle Cyclone Hamoon |url=https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/environment/southern-districts-alert-tackle-cyclone-hamoon-725926 |access-date=8 September 2024 |work=The Business Standard |date=24 October 2023 |language=en}}
= Elsewhere =
As Hamoon developed into a deep depression on 23 October, the IMD issued a yellow warning in Odisha, for the districts of Bhadrak, Kendrapara, and Jagatsinghpur.{{cite news |last1=Sharma |first1=Vikash |title=Cyclone Hamoon to form over Bay of Bengal today; check IMD's district-wise rain forecast for Odisha |url=https://odishatv.in/news/weather/cyclone-hamoon-to-form-over-bay-of-bengal-today-check-imd-s-district-wise-rain-forecast-for-odisha-218271 |access-date=8 September 2024 |work=Odishatv.in |date=23 October 2023 |language=en}} This was later expanded to include coastal districts in West Bengal.{{cite news |title=Cyclone Hamoon may intensify in next 12 hours, IMD issues yellow alert for THESE states |url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/cyclone-hamoon-intensify-next-12-hours-imd-issues-yellow-alert-states-west-bengal-odisha-durga-puja-rains-11698057162783.htmlhttps://www.livemint.com/news/india/cyclone-hamoon-intensify-next-12-hours-imd-issues-yellow-alert-states-west-bengal-odisha-durga-puja-rains-11698057162783.htmlhttps://www.livemint.com/news/india/cyclone-hamoon-intensify-next-12-hours-imd-issues-yellow-alert-states-west-bengal-odisha-durga-puja-rains-11698057162783.html |access-date=8 September 2024 |website=Mint |date=23 October 2023}} Early the next day, they issued a rainfall alert for Odisha, West Bengal, Manipur, Tripura, Mizoram, Assam, and Meghalaya. Additionally, fishermen planning to venture in and offshore Odisha, West Bengal, Bangladesh, and the northern coast of Myanmar were discouraged by the IMD.{{cite news |title=Cyclone 'Hamoon' now turns into very severe cyclonic storm, 7 states on alert |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/cyclone-hamoon-intensifies-into-severe-cyclonic-storm-imd-rainfall-warning-alert-in-seven-states-2452881-2023-10-24 |access-date=8 September 2024 |work=India Today |date=24 October 2023 |language=en}} In Pamban Island, a storm warning was issued to prevent fishers from leaving there.{{cite news |title=Cyclone Hamoon: IMD Says Landfall Process Begins, Seven States on High Alert {{!}} What We Know So Far |url=https://www.india.com/news/india/cyclone-hamoon-imd-says-landfall-process-begins-seven-states-on-high-alert-what-we-know-so-far-6442412/ |access-date=8 September 2024 |work=india.com |language=en}} All signals were lowered by 26 October.{{cite news |title=Cyclone Hamoon: Maritime ports asked to lower cautionary signal |url=https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/cyclone-hamoon-maritime-ports-asked-lower-cautionary-signal-726406 |access-date=8 September 2024 |work=The Business Standard |date=25 October 2023 |language=en}} Finally, in Myanmar, authorities in Rakhine State were issued an alert by the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology (DMH), being on standby and conducting preparedness tests.{{cite journal |title=Tropical Cyclone HAMOON Myanmar Flash Update #1 (24 Oct 2023, 1300 HRS UTC +7) - Myanmar {{!}} ReliefWeb |journal=ReliefWeb |date=24 October 2023 |url=https://reliefweb.int/report/myanmar/tropical-cyclone-hamoon-myanmar-flash-update-1-24-oct-2023-1300-hrs-utc-7 |access-date=8 September 2024 |language=en}}
Impact
= Bangladesh =
In Cox's Bazar District, thousands of trees were uprooted while houses built with corrugated sheets were destroyed by Hamoon's winds. In the district's Rohingya refugee camps, hundreds of tarpaulin-covered bamboo shanties suffered damage.{{cite news |title=Cyclone Hamoon leaves destruction in Bangladesh |url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/cyclone-hamoon-leaves-destruction-bangladesh-122512700.html |access-date=8 September 2024 |agency=Reuters |website=Yahoo News |date=25 October 2023}} Almost 470,000 people were affected as Hamoon made landfall, with 2,500 of them being Rohingya refugees. Eight hundred of the refugees were temporarily displaced. Most of the learning centres run by Agrajattra sustained significant damage.{{cite news |title=Bangladesh: Cyclone Hamoon ravages Cox's Bazar as a severe cyclonic storm, affecting over 450,000 lives and damaging 13 IRC learning centres |publisher=International Rescue Committee (IRC) |url=https://www.rescue.org/press-release/bangladesh-cyclone-hamoon-ravages-coxs-bazar-severe-cyclonic-storm-affecting-over |access-date=8 September 2024 |language=en}} Elsewhere in the district, five hundred people were displaced. In total, three people were killed while sixty-three people were injured in the district.{{cite news |title=3 killed, over 60 injured as Cyclone Hamoon crosses Bangladesh's coastal belt |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/3-killed-over-60-injured-as-cyclone-hamoon-crosses-bangladesh-s-coastal-belt/3032354 |access-date=8 September 2024 |publisher=Anadolu Agency |date=25 October 2023}}
As Hamoon made landfall, gusts from the cyclone disrupted the power supply to the city of Cox's Bazar, causing blackouts. A peak gust of {{cvt|148|km/h|mph}} was recorded in the city at 8:12pm local time, causing many houses and rice paddy fields to be levelled by intense winds.{{cite news |last1=Hossain |first1=Emran |last2=Islam |first2=Nurul |title=Cyclone Hamoon hits with heavy wind on Bangladesh coast |url=https://www.newagebd.net/article/215816/cyclone-hamoon-hits-with-heavy-wind-on-bangladesh-coast |access-date=8 September 2024 |website=New Age |date=24 October 2023}} Around 6 million lost power due to Hamoon. Cox's Bazar recorded {{cvt|71|mm|in}} of rainfall. In Chittagong District, one person died when they were crushed by a falling tree while another died when a building collapsed.{{cite news |last2=Hossain |first2=Emran |author1=AFP |title=Five dead, nearly 275,000 flee Bangladesh cyclone |url=https://www.ucanews.com/news/five-dead-nearly-275-000-flee-bangladesh-cyclone/103053 |access-date=8 September 2024 |publisher=Union of Catholic Asian News |date=26 October 2023 |ref=UCANews}} Teknaf recorded {{cvt|87|mm|in}} of rainfall in a day while the city of Chittagong recorded {{cvt|59|mm|in}} in a day.{{cite news |last1=Hossain |first1=Emran |last2=Islam |first2=Nurul |title=Five killed as Hamoon brings misery to millions in Bangladesh |url=https://www.newagebd.net/article/215882/five-killed-as-hamoon-brings-misery-to-millions-in-bangladesh |access-date=8 September 2024 |website=New Age |date=25 October 2023}} In Cox's Bazar district, 354 electricity poles were uprooted, twenty-three transformers were damaged, and 496 electric wires were snapped. Collapsing trees caused the power supply to snap in over eight hundred places as they collapsed on electric wires.{{cite news |last1=Aziz |first1=Abdul |title=Cyclone Hamoon leaves thousands in Cox's Bazar without power, fresh water |url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/nation/329169/cyclone-hamoon-leaves-thousands-in-cox-s-bazar |access-date=9 September 2024 |website=Dhaka Tribune |date=26 October 2023}} In total, according to Aon, Hamoon caused around $250 million in damages.
= Elsewhere =
In India, due to Hamoon, the onset of the northeast monsoon would be delayed, causing India to, at the time, have a yearly rainfall deficit of 11%.{{cite news |last1=Agarwal |first1=Ayushi |title=Cyclone Hamoon disrupts weather, delays Northeast Monsoon onset in India: Skymet |url=https://cnbctv18.com/environment/northeast-monsoon-india-onset-cyclone-hamoon-tamil-nadu-andhra-pradesh-skymet-imd-forecast-18142981.htm |access-date=9 September 2024 |publisher=CNBC TV-18 |date=25 October 2023 |language=en}} Portions of Odisha received light to moderate rainfall, with a peak of {{cvt|52|mm|in}} recorded in Paradeep.{{cite news |title=Cyclone Hamoon has weakened, now lies as depression over south of Mizoram: IMD |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/cyclone-hamoon-has-weakened-now-lies-as-depression-over-south-of-mizoram-imd/articleshow/104712788.cms?from=mdr |access-date=9 September 2024 |work=The Economic Times |date=26 October 2023}} Due to Hamoon's winds, air pollutants would be dispersed towards Chennai, causing the city to have a "moderate" air quality index.{{cite news |title=Cyclone Hamoon increases air pollution in Chennai |url=https://www.dtnext.in/news/city/cyclone-hamoon-increases-air-pollution-in-chennai-744298 |work=DT Next |date=26 October 2023 |language=en}} The remnants of Hamoon later tracked into Myammar, producing heavy rain which peaked with {{cvt|3.94|in|mm}} in Thilin City and {{cvt|2.95|in|mm}} in Yangon.{{cite news |title="ဟမွန်း" ဆိုင်ကလုန်းမုန်တိုင်း မီဇိုရမ်ပြည်နယ်ကို မုန်တိုင်းငယ်အဖြစ် အားလျော့ ဝင်ရောက် |trans-title=Cyclone "Hamoon" weakly enters Mizoram state as a depression |url=https://www.dvb.no/post/621849 |access-date=8 September 2024 |publisher=DVB |date=25 October 2023 |language=my}} In Thantlang Township, ten houses in the Bong Kwar IDP Camp suffered damage.{{cite news |title=IDP camp in Chin State's Thantalang devastated by Cyclone Hamoon |url=https://eng.mizzima.com/2023/10/31/4311 |access-date=8 September 2024 |publisher=mizzima |date=31 October 2023}}
Notes
{{notelist}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
{{2023 North Indian Ocean cyclone season buttons}}