Cyclone Nilam

{{Storm path|Nilam 2012 track.png}}

In the early hours of October 27, the India Meteorological Department's Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre in New Delhi started to monitor an area of low pressure, that had developed in south central Bay of Bengal.{{cite web|title=Tropical Weather Outlook — October 27th, 2012 |url=http://www.imd.gov.in/section/nhac/dynamic/rsmc.pdf |publisher=India Meteorological Department |access-date=November 1, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120913171536/http://www.imd.gov.in/section/nhac/dynamic/rsmc.pdf |archive-date=September 13, 2012 }} The next day, the system intensified into a Depression about {{convert|550|km|mi|round=5|abbr=on}} to the northeast of Trincomalee, Sri Lanka. The IMD officially designated it with BOB 02.{{cite web|title=Special Tropical Weather Outlook for the North Indian Ocean October 28, 2012 11z |author=Regional Specialised Meteorological Center New Delhi, India |access-date=October 31, 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240522043801/https://www.webcitation.org/6BooSGMHj?url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/WTIN20-DEMS_201210281035.htm |date=October 28, 2012 |publisher=India Meteorological Department |archive-date=May 22, 2024 |url=http://www.imd.gov.in/section/nhac/dynamic/rsmc.pdf |url-status=dead }} During that day the depression moved towards the west and gradually developed further with deep convection surrounding the system becoming better organized.{{cite web|title=Special Tropical Weather Outlook for the North Indian Ocean October 28, 2012 15z |author=Regional Specialised Meteorological Center New Delhi, India |access-date=October 31, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120913171536/http://www.imd.gov.in/section/nhac/dynamic/rsmc.pdf |date=October 31, 2012 |publisher=India Meteorological Department |archive-date=September 13, 2012 |url=http://www.imd.gov.in/section/nhac/dynamic/rsmc.pdf |url-status=dead }} The Joint Typhoon Warning Centre also noted that deep convection was building over a cloud-covered low level circulation center and issued a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert.{{cite web|title=Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert for Cyclone Nilam |url=http://www.usno.navy.mil/NOOC/nmfc-ph/RSS/jtwc/warnings/wp9312web.txt |publisher=Joint Typhoon Warning Center |access-date=November 1, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240521192111/https://www.webcitation.org/6BkHMKvHd?url=http://www.usno.navy.mil/NOOC/nmfc-ph/RSS/jtwc/warnings/wp9312web.txt |archive-date=May 21, 2024 }} Early the next day, RSMC New Delhi reported that the depression had intensified into a deep depression, before later that day the JTWC started to monitor the system as Tropical Cyclone 02B with windspeeds equivalent to a tropical storm.{{cite web|author=Joint Typhoon Warning Center |title=Tropical Cyclone 02B Warning 1 - October 29, 2012 15z |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240522043722/https://www.webcitation.org/6BmQWpHFc?url=http://www.usno.navy.mil/NOOC/nmfc-ph/RSS/jtwc/warnings/io0212web.txt |url=http://www.usno.navy.mil/NOOC/nmfc-ph/RSS/jtwc/warnings/io0212web.txt |archive-date=May 22, 2024 |date=October 29, 2012 |publisher=United States Navy, United States Airforce |access-date=October 31, 2012 |url-status=dead }}

Nilam continued to track northwestward under the influence of a low to mid-level subtropical ridge.{{cite web|title=JTWC Tropical Cyclone Warning 8 for Cyclone Nilam |url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/WTIO31-PGTW_201210310900.htm |publisher=Joint Typhoon Warning Center |access-date=November 1, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240522044001/https://www.webcitation.org/6BqSktkO8?url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/WTIO31-PGTW_201210310900.htm |archive-date=May 22, 2024 }} In the early hours of November 1, Nilam weakened into a deep depression.{{cite web|title=CWIND advisory number 23 for Cyclonic Storm Nilam |url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/CWIND_201211010200.pdf |publisher=India Meteorological Department |access-date=November 1, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6BqS8L1Q2?url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/CWIND_201211010200.pdf |archive-date=November 1, 2012 }} As it moved further inland into the Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh, Nilam further weakened into a Depression.{{cite web|title=CWIND Advisory number 24 for Cyclonic Storm Nilam |url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/CWIND_201211010300.pdf |publisher=India Meteorological Department |access-date=November 1, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6BqS8EqSS?url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/CWIND_201211010300.pdf |archive-date=November 1, 2012 }} The IMD continued tracking Nilam as a weak depression until November 2, when they issued their last warning on the system.{{cite web|title=CWIND Advisory number 27 for Cyclonic Storm Nilam |url=http://www.imd.gov.in/section/nhac/dynamic/cwind.pdf |publisher=India Meteorological Department |access-date=November 2, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121118200123/http://www.imd.gov.in/section/nhac/dynamic/cwind.pdf |archive-date=November 18, 2012 }}

During the storm, 150,000 people were shifted to cyclone shelters in Nellore district. Along with Nellore, Chittoor district also saw very heavy rainfall. Severe flooding in Prakasam district blocked a highway and strong winds overturned a major truck. Several villages and towns in southern coastal Andhra Pradesh were flooded and heavy rains were also reported in Visakhapatnam, a major city in north Coastal Andhra.{{cite web|title=Video:Nilam floods Prakasham highway|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZ1wiIjCv90|publisher=TV9|via=YouTube|access-date=1 November 2012|language=Telugu}} About 140 fishermen who all headed off a week ago, were reported to have been stranded off the Nellore coast. They were later on able to establish contact with their families and the Coast Guard successfully tried to rescue them. 3 were reportedly killed in Andhra Pradesh. On November 1, more than 200 boats ran aground due to strong winds. TV9, a Telugu news channel reported that people in Nellore district continued to suffer from the effects of the storm even after landfall, due to lack of information regarding the cyclone.{{cite web|title=Video:200 boats washed ashore Nellore beach|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hp83k1IEEqE|publisher=TV9|via=YouTube|access-date=1 November 2012|language=Telugu}}

As Nilam weakened, heavy rainfall continued affecting south coastal Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema and Telangana with heavy rains and flash flooding.{{cite web|title=Cyclone Nilam: Heavy rain lashes coastal Andhra |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/cyclone-nilam-heavy-rain-lashes-coastal-andhra/1/227316.html|publisher=Living Media India Limited.|access-date=2 November 2012}} The Kandaleru-Poondi part of the Telugu Ganga project near Gudur, reportedly overflowed cutting transportation across the river.{{cite web|title=Video:Nilam brings rain to Nellore and Prakasham|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpFGmwfNcIQ|publisher=TV9|via=YouTube|access-date=1 November 2012|language=Telugu}} Several villages in and around Ongole were inundated by floodwater. Several poor in coastal villagers who depended only on fishing had lost access to food and clean drinking water as fishing was prohibited for over three days. TV9 reported that over 12,000 poor had remained hungry over the past three days and no government official had visited the storm affected villages despite the prolonged shortage of food and lack of electricity. Severe flooding had blocked transportation between Ongole and the villages, stranding the villagers.{{cite web|title=Video:Nilam Cyclone brings rain to Coastal Andhra|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDLuMMbB01s|publisher=TV9|via= YouTube|access-date=1 November 2012|language=Telugu}}

Four more people were found dead in Andhra Pradesh, as two people were electrocuted near the New Port railway station in Kakinada. Another old woman was killed by hypothermia while a man was found dead under the debris of a broken wall. The death toll in the state went up to seven.{{cite web|title=Cyclone Nilam toll rises to seven|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-11-02/hyderabad/34877026_1_heavy-rains-coastal-districts-incessant-rain|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130127094733/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-11-02/hyderabad/34877026_1_heavy-rains-coastal-districts-incessant-rain|url-status=dead|archive-date=27 January 2013|work=The Times of India|access-date=2 November 2012}} Rains in Andhra Pradesh inundated 76,980 hectares of cropland, most of which was paddy. As per reports, 449 electric poles were felled and 30 houses were damaged, out of which 16 houses were totally destroyed.{{cite news|title=Cyclone Nilam: Heavy rains in Andhra destroys crops|url=http://business-standard.com/india/news/cyclone-nilam-heavy-rains-in-andhra-destroys-crops/194160/on|work=Business Standard|date=2 November 2012 |access-date=2 November 2012|agency=Press Trust of India }} In Hyderabad, heavy downpours from the cyclone's rainbands caused a six degree temperature drop. Trees were reportedly uprooted in the city's suburbs of SR Nagar, Shantinagar and Jaya Gardens near Malakpet.{{cite web|title=Nilam effect: Rain chills Hyderabad|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-11-02/hyderabad/34877452_1_celsius-heavy-rains-maximum-temperature|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130126063023/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-11-02/hyderabad/34877452_1_celsius-heavy-rains-maximum-temperature|url-status=dead|archive-date=26 January 2013|work=The Times of India|access-date=2 November 2012}}

File:Pratibha Cauvery ship 4.JPG

The Chennai Port sounded a 'Danger 7' alarm and had sent off ships to outer sea to minimize damage when the storm made landfall. Madras Atomic Power Station, Kalpakkam officials stated that vigil was being maintained on all important equipment, and the reactors are made to withstand winds up to {{convert|160|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}.{{cite news|last=Ram|first=Arun|title=Cyclone Nilam hits Tamil Nadu, no major damage reported so far|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-10-31/india/34836653_1_chennai-port-strong-winds-kalpakkam|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130126084145/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-10-31/india/34836653_1_chennai-port-strong-winds-kalpakkam|url-status=dead|archive-date=26 January 2013|access-date=31 October 2012|newspaper=The Times of India|date=31 October 2012}} The oil tanker {{ship|MT|Pratibha Cauvery}} ran aground near Chennai after drifting into the storm. One crew member was reported to be killed, with 5 others missing. 16 crew members had reportedly escaped. The state government later declared a holiday for all schools and colleges of coastal districts.{{cite news|title=Cyclone Nilam spares Chennai |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/tamil-nadu/nilam-to-make-landfall-near-mamallapuram/article4050114.ece|first=Ramakrishnan|last=T|date=October 31, 2012|work=The Hindu|location=Chennai|access-date=2012-11-01}} Over eight people were killed on the first day itself, as the storm made landfall on Tamil Nadu.{{cite news|last=Yahoo! India News|title=Cyclone Nilam leaves 11 dead in Tamil Nadu, Andhra|url=http://in.news.yahoo.com/cyclone-nilam-leaves-11-dead-in-tamil-nadu--andhra.html|access-date=1 November 2012|newspaper=Yahoo! India News|date=1 November 2012}}

Floodwater totally inundated 51,486 hectares of directly sown farmland and 13,421 hectares of transplanted farmland; and partially submerged 4,404 hectares of directly sown area and 12,189 hectares of transplanted area. During the storm, 3,150 people were evacuated and kept in cyclone shelters at Thalainayar and Keezhaiyur. Among the evacuees, 2,100 people were from Pirinchamoolai, Vandal and Gundooranvellir villages and were taken to community halls. The rest of the people were taken to the Thalainayar Government Higher Secondary School in Thalainayar. Some {{convert|54|km|mi|abbr=on}} of municipality roads and {{convert|23|km|mi|abbr=on}} of town panchayat roads were damaged by the rains.{{cite news|title=Cyclone leaves a trail of misery, destruction and destitution|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Tiruchirapalli/cyclone-leaves-a-trail-of-misery-destruction-and-destitution/article4054012.ece|work=The Hindu|date=November 2012 |access-date=1 November 2012|last1=Srividya |first1=P. V. }} In Chennai, weather returned to normal. Schools and colleges in the city, however, remained closed for November 1 and 2. Residents gathered at the Santhome beach, observing the relief and rescue efforts made to help the victims of the MV Pratibha Cauvery.{{cite news|title=Normalcy, a day after Nilam|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/normalcy-a-day-after-nilam/article4055485.ece|work=The Hindu|date=November 2012 |access-date=2 November 2012}} On November 2, one of the MT Pratibha Cauvery{{'}}s five missing sailors' bodies was found in the sea waters near Chennai. Four others remained missing even after a second day of search and rescue efforts which included four ships, two helicopters and two Dornier aircraft.{{cite web|title=Cyclone Nilam: Body of one missing sailor found, 4 still to be traced|url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/south/cyclone-nilam-body-of-one-missing-sailor-found-4-still-to-be-traced-287414|publisher=NDTV|access-date=2 November 2012}}{{cite web|title=Cyclone Nilam: 5 sailors still missing from oil tanker|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_cyclone-nilam-15-sailors-rescued-six-still-missing-from-oil-tanker_1758783|work=DNA India|access-date=2 November 2012}}

A few hours later, a second body was found at the estuary of Adyar River. Reports revealed that the ship's captain had ignored instructions to leave for safe waters following the cyclone alert.{{cite web|title=Cyclone Nilam: Bodies of two missing sailors found, three still to be traced|url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/cyclone-nilam-bodies-of-two-missing-sailors-found-three-still-to-be-traced-287414|publisher=NDTV|access-date=2 November 2012}} As efforts continued, another body was found afloat at sea. The Tamil Nadu death toll rose to 11, as a result. Though three bodies out of five were found, they were all yet to be identified.{{cite web|title=Cyclone Nilam: Bodies of three missing sailors found, two still to be traced|url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/cyclone-nilam-bodies-of-three-missing-sailors-found-two-still-to-be-traced-287414|publisher=NDTV Convergence Limited|access-date=2 November 2012}} M. Jayaraman, a senior disaster management official, said that at least 16 people were killed in rainfall-related events. This figure, along with the deaths of the MV Pratibha Cauvery incident sent the Tamil Nadu death toll up to 19.{{cite news|title=Cyclone Nilam: By the Numbers|newspaper=Wall Street Journal |date=2 November 2012 |url=https://blogs.wsj.com/indiarealtime/2012/11/02/cyclone-nilam-by-the-numbers/|publisher=Dow Jones & Company|access-date=2 November 2012|last1=Rana |first1=Preetika }} On November 3, the remaining two bodies from the MV Prathiba Cauvery incident were recovered, sending the death toll up to 21.{{cite web|title=Cyclone Nilam: Bodies of all missing sailors found|url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/cyclone-nilam-bodies-all-missing-sailors-found-287880|publisher=NDTV|access-date=3 November 2012}}

File:Deep Depression BOB 02 Oct 29 2012.jpg

Overall, 4,627 people were reportedly displaced due to the flooding and 56 people have left their homes in fear of landslides. Sri Lanka's Disaster Management Center said that about 1,000 houses were damaged by the storm.{{cite web|title=Cyclone Nilam weakens after displacing 150,000|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/cyclone-nilam-weakens-after-displacing-150000/1025150/|work=The Indian Express|access-date=1 November 2012}} Across Sri Lanka, ten people were killed in events related to Cyclone Nilam.{{cite web|title=Daily Situation Report - November 5, 2012 |url=http://www.dmc.gov.lk/situation%20report/reports-pdf/2012/2012.11.05%20SITREP_0900hrs.pdf |publisher=Disaster Management Center – Sri Lanka |access-date=5 November 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6BwpFDTu0?url=http://www.dmc.gov.lk/situation%20report/reports-pdf/2012/2012.11.05%20SITREP_0900hrs.pdf |archive-date=November 5, 2012 }}

On November 3, Sri Lanka's Disaster Management Centre reported that the process of relief and recovery had started. In Mullaitivu District, evacuees in the evacuation centers were returned to their houses. The flood in Kilinochchi had receded and the situation was normalized. In Jaffna District, divisional secretariats provided relief items and necessary amenities to the affected. In Nuwara Eliya District, families vulnerable to landslides were evacuated and sent to Vidulipura Temple. Meals and relief items were provided to the flood victims of Colombo and Gampaha districts.{{cite web|title=Daily Situation Report - Sri Lanka - 03 November 2012 |url=http://www.dmc.gov.lk/situation%20report/reports-pdf/2012/SITREP2012.11.03_0900hrs.pdf |publisher=Disaster Management Center – Sri Lanka |access-date=3 November 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6BtVXn4Uc?url=http://www.dmc.gov.lk/situation%20report/reports-pdf/2012/SITREP2012.11.03_0900hrs.pdf |archive-date=November 3, 2012 }}

File:Cyclone Nilam floods Andhra Pradesh.jpg

In a review conducted by the Government of Andhra Pradesh, the next day, it was depicted that nearly 67,819 people of 21,655 families have been shifted to 86 relief camps across the state. Also, as per the report of Municipality of Andhra Pradesh, {{convert|495|km|mi|abbr=on}} of roads, {{convert|406|km|mi|abbr=on}} of drains, {{convert|107|km|mi|abbr=on}} of water supply lines, 10,882 street lights and 36 municipal buildings were left in ruins, after the storm.{{cite web|title=Neelam's destruction continues, death toll rises to 22|url=http://www.siasat.com/english/news/neelams-destruction-continues-death-toll-rises-22|work=The Siasat Daily|access-date=5 November 2012}} As torrential rainfall damaged railway lines, several trains including Falaknuma Express, East Coast Express, and the Hyderabad–Visakhapatnam Godavari Express were either delayed or cancelled. Severe flooding in the state reportedly killed another 15 people, taking the death toll up to 22.{{cite web|title=Cyclone Nilam: 22 killed in heavy rains in Andhra Pradesh|url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/south/cyclone-nilam-22-killed-in-heavy-rains-in-andhra-pradesh-288250|publisher=NDTV Convergence Limited|access-date=5 November 2012}} Despite several hours passed since Nilam made landfall, the convection persisted and caused very heavy rainfall in north coastal Andhra Pradesh. Rains caused flash flooding and inundated five villages in Srikakulam district. To analyze the situation, Chief Minister Nallari Kiran Kumar Reddy conducted an aerial survey in flood affected areas. Also, heavy rains in Visakhapatnam district lead to a train derailment in Araku Valley, a famous tourist destination near Visakhapatnam.{{cite web|title=Video: Heavy rains in Srikakulam|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XL6sDd7WBQ|publisher=TV9Zvia=YouTube|access-date=5 November 2012|language=Telugu}}{{cite web|title=Video: CM aerial survey in flood affected areas|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQdcQI2crc8|publisher=TV9|via=YouTube|access-date=5 November 2012|language=Telugu}}{{cite web|title=Video: Train derails due to landslide at Araku|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9ICW6Xwe2k|publisher=TV9|via=YouTube|access-date=5 November 2012|language=Telugu}} In East Godavari district, floodwater reportedly overflew a railway bridge. A temple in the district along with the city of Rajahmundry were inundated.{{cite web|title=Video: Heavy rain lashes East Godavari|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gF3EIP_KUfE|publisher=TV9|via= YouTube|access-date=5 November 2012|language=Telugu}} TV9 supplied food and drinking water to the flood victims of the district.{{cite web|title=Video: TV9 supplies food to flood victims|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fkcng0Y9y60|publisher=TV9|via=YouTube|access-date=5 November 2012|language=Telugu}} Following severe flooding in West Godavari district, four children were electrocuted on November 6. The death toll rose to 28. Around 500,000 hectares of cropland was ruined while 68,000 people were evacuated and taken to flood relief camps.{{cite web|title=Cyclone Nilam: Death toll climbs to 28 as rains continue to lash Andhra|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/cyclone-nilam-death-toll-climbs-to-28-as-rains-continue-to-lash-andhra/304097-62-127.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108102014/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/cyclone-nilam-death-toll-climbs-to-28-as-rains-continue-to-lash-andhra/304097-62-127.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 November 2012|publisher=IBNLive|access-date=6 November 2012}} On November 7, a government survey revealed economic losses of {{INRConvert|200|c}}. Exactly double the figure of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh suffered more economic damage and life loss though it was not directly hit.{{cite news|title=Cyclone Nilam aftermath: Crops in 70,000 hect damaged in Srikakulam|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics/nation/cyclone-nilam-aftermath-crops-in-70000-hect-damaged-in-srikakulam/articleshow/17130813.cms|work=The Economic Times|access-date=7 November 2012}} After another four-day long search and rescue, a total of 44 people were confirmed dead.{{cite web|title=Cyclone Nilam: 44 people killed in Andhra, says CM|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/cyclone-nilam-44-people-killed-in-andhra-says-cm/305041-62-127.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121115000800/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/cyclone-nilam-44-people-killed-in-andhra-says-cm/305041-62-127.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=15 November 2012|publisher=IBNLive|access-date=11 November 2012}}

{{Commons category|Cyclone Nilam}}

• Cyclone Thane
• 1990 Andhra Pradesh cyclone

{{Notelist}}

{{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/20150809201922/http://www.usno.navy.mil/JTWC/ |date=2015-08-09 }}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20121105042435/http://www.cdrn.org.in/ Corporate Disaster Resource Network, India]
• [http://www.rapidresponse.org.in Rapid Response, India]

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Category:2012 in Sri Lanka

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