Cyclone Nisarga

{{Infobox weather event

| name = Severe Cyclonic Storm Nisarga

| image = Nisarga 2020-06-03 0800Z.jpg

| caption = Nisarga making landfall on Maharashtra on 3 June

| formed = 1 June 2020

| dissipated = 4 June 2020

}}{{Infobox weather event/IMD

| winds = 60

| pressure = 984

}}{{Infobox weather event/JTWC

| winds = 85

| pressure = 968

}}{{Infobox weather event/Effects

| year = 2020

| fatalities = 6 total

| damage = 803000000

| areas = India (Maharashtra, Gujarat)

}}{{Infobox weather event/Footer

| season = 2020 North Indian Ocean cyclone season

}}

Severe Cyclonic Storm Nisarga{{efn|The name Nisarga was contributed from Bangladesh which means 'nature' in Bengali.{{Cite news|date=4 June 2020|title=Cyclone Nisarga: Here is how the storm was named and what it means|url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/india/cyclone-nisarga-here-is-how-the-storm-was-named-and-what-it-means-5350001.html|access-date=4 June 2020|newspaper=Moneycontrol News|language=en|archive-date=27 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231227224611/https://www.moneycontrol.com/europe/?url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/india/cyclone-nisarga-here-is-how-the-storm-was-named-and-what-it-means-5350001.html|url-status=live}}}} ({{IPAc-en|'|n|ɪ|s|ə|r|g|ə}}) was the strongest tropical cyclone to strike the Indian state of Maharashtra in the month of June since 1891.{{Cite web|date=2020-05-31|title=Nisarga, first tropical cyclone since 1891 that may hit Maharashtra coast during June|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/nisarga-the-first-tropical-cyclone-that-may-hit-state-coast-during-june-since-1891/story-X0W0bKbLYBG7qmadkmjhhM.html|access-date=2020-06-05|website=Hindustan Times}} It was also the first cyclone to impact Raigad & Mumbai since Phyan of 2009.{{Cite web|last=Choudhary|first=Srishti|date=2020-06-02|title=Cyclone Nisarga: Mumbai braces for severe storm 11 years after 'Phyan'|url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/cyclone-nisarga-mumbai-braces-for-severe-storm-11-years-after-phyan-11591097613101.html|access-date=2020-06-05|website=Livemint}} The third depression and second named cyclone of the 2020 North Indian Ocean cyclone season, Nisarga originated as a depression in the Arabian Sea and moved generally northward. On 2 June, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) upgraded the system to a cyclonic storm, assigning the name Nisarga. On the next day, Nisarga further intensified to a severe cyclonic storm and turned to the northeast, ultimately making landfall approximately {{convert|95|km|mi|abbr=on|round=5}} south of Mumbai. Nisarga rapidly weakened once inland and dissipated on 4 June.

Nisarga was the second cyclone to strike the Indian subcontinent within two weeks time, after Cyclone Amphan, the first super cyclonic storm to have formed in the Bay of Bengal in the 21st century, devastated the state of West Bengal in May 2020.{{cite news |last=Ray |first=Meenakshi |title=From Nisarga to Amphan: How do tropical cyclones form |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/from-nisarga-to-amphan-how-do-tropical-cyclones-form/story-6FIRALmbTQbSurQmpOPW3I.html |access-date=3 June 2020 |work=Hindustan Times |date=3 June 2020}}{{cite news |title=Cyclone Nisarga: Rare storm in decades pounds India's west coast |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/06/cyclone-nisarga-india-metropolis-mumbai-braces-rare-storm-200603025855374.html |access-date=3 June 2020 |work=Al Jazeera |date=3 June 2020}} Making landfall in Maharashtra with winds of {{convert|110|km/h|mph|abbr=on|round=5}}, Nisarga became the strongest storm to strike the state in the month of June since 1891. Before Nisarga, only two depressions had struck Maharashtra in the month of June, in 1948 and 1980 respectively.{{cite news |last=Chatterjee |first=Badri |title=Nisarga, first tropical cyclone since 1891 that may hit Maharashtra coast during June |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/nisarga-the-first-tropical-cyclone-that-may-hit-state-coast-during-june-since-1891/story-X0W0bKbLYBG7qmadkmjhhM.html |access-date=2 June 2020 |work=Hindustan Times |date=31 May 2020}}{{cite news |last=Ray |first=Anulekha |title=Cyclone Nisarga intensified in Maharashtra: Will hit coastline with high wind speed; flood alert in Mumbai, Thane |url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/cyclone-nisarga-in-maharashtra-landfall-likely-tonight-flood-alert-in-mumbai-thane-11591079891851.html |access-date=2 June 2020 |work=Livemint |date=2 June 2020}}

Meteorological history

On 31 May, an area of low pressure developed over the Eastern Arabian Sea and remained as a well marked low-pressure area over the same region till the evening.{{cite news |author1=Amit Chaturvedi |title=Deep depression in Arabian Sea intensifies into cyclonic storm, IMD officially declares it Cyclone Nisarga |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/deep-depression-in-arabian-sea-intensifies-into-cyclonic-storm-imd-officially-declares-it-cyclone-nisarga/story-qVQDwGKfAf92sVBHzbqeGL.html |work=Hindustan Times |date=2 June 2020 }} It strengthened into a depression over east-central and south-east Arabian Sea in the early morning of 1 June. It later intensified into the Deep Depression on the same day.{{cite web |title=IMD press release 01-06-2020|url=http://internal.imd.gov.in/press_release/20200601_pr_829.pdf}} File:Nisarga 2020-06-02 1515Z.gifAround noon on 2 June, the deep depression intensified into a cyclonic storm and thereby receiving the name Nisarga. The name has been contributed by Bangladesh.{{Cite news|date=2020-06-02|title=Deep depression in Arabian Sea intensifies into Cyclone Nisarga|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/deep-depression-in-arabian-sea-intensifies-into-cyclone-nisarga/story-RbSUIeWCnKnyWvhlZCDltL.html|access-date=2020-06-03|work=Hindustan Times}}

It later reached its peak intensity of 110 kmph which makes as a Severe Cyclonic Storm whereas one-minute mean windspeed were 140 kmph which makes as a category 1 tropical cyclone. At 12:30 IST (07:00 UTC) 3 June, Nisarga made landfall near the town of Alibag at peak intensity. Nearby Ratnagiri recorded the highest wind speed of {{convert|110|km/h|mph|abbr=on|round=5}} and minimum pressure was 984 hPa.{{Cite news|last1=Chatterjee|first1=Badri|last2=Nandi|first2=Jayashree|title=Cyclone Nisarga makes landfall; a lucky escape for Mumbai|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/cyclone-makes-landfall-a-lucky-escape-for-mumbai/story-H0n7a8w0d7q7OaHl94AigI.html|date=4 June 2020|access-date=4 June 2020|work=Hindustan Times}}

Preparations

On 1 June, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, held a preliminary review meeting with officials of National Disaster Management Authority, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), India Meteorological Department and the Indian Coast Guard.{{cite news |title=Home Minister Amit Shah holds meeting to review preparations to deal with Cyclone Nisarga |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/home-minister-amit-shah-holds-meeting-to-review-preparations-for-cyclone-nisarga/story-NBW79BvTMfC0znBKermSPL.html |access-date=2 June 2020 |work=Hindustan Times |date=1 June 2020 }} On the same day, 33 teams of NDRF were deployed in the coastal region of both the state.{{cite news |title=nisarga cyclone: 33 teams deployed in Maharashtra, Gujarat in view of 'Nisarga' |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/33-teams-deployed-in-maharashtra-gujarat-in-view-of-nisarga-ndrf-dg/articleshow/76152909.cms |access-date=2 June 2020 |work=The Times of India |date=2 June 2020}} Fishermen from Maharashtra were alerted to return from the sea.{{cite news |title=Mumbai, adjoining districts put on alert in view of cyclone Nisarga |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2020/jun/01/mumbai-adjoining-districts-put-on-alert-in-view-of-cyclone-nisarga-2150935.html |access-date=2 June 2020 |work=The New Indian Express}}

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, via a tweet on 2 June, updated that he spoke to Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Chief Minister of Gujarat and Administrator of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu while assuring all possible support and assistance from the Central Government.{{cite news |title=Cyclone Nisarga: PM Modi Reviews Situation On Western Coast |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/cyclone-nisarga-pm-narendra-modi-reviews-situation-on-western-coast-2239420 |access-date=2 June 2020 |work=NDTV.com |agency=Press Trust of India |date=2 June 2020}} As a precaution, 100,000 people were evacuated ahead of the storm.{{Cite web|title=Cyclone Nisarga hits India's west coast {{!}} Watch News Videos Online|url=https://globalnews.ca/video/7020372/cyclone-nisarga-hits-indias-west-coast/|access-date=2020-06-04|website=Global News}}

Impact and aftermath

Nisarga caused 6 deaths and 16 injuries in the state. Over {{convert|5033|ha|acre|abbr=on}} of land were damaged.{{cite news |title=Maharashtra Cyclone Nisarga death toll rises to 6, CM announces Rs 4 lakh compensation for victims' kin |url=https://theprint.in/india/maharashtra-cm-asks-for-damage-report-due-to-cyclone-nisarga-within-2-days/435852/ |access-date=6 June 2020 |work=ThePrint |date=4 June 2020}} Chief Minister of Maharashtra Uddhav Thackeray announced an immediate aid of ₹400,000 (US$5,000) to the relatives of the deaths. Later, Thackeray announced another Rs1 billion (US$13.3 million) to Raigad district.{{cite news |title=Uddhav Thackeray announces emergency relief of Rs 100 crore to Raigad over Cyclone Nisarga |url=https://theprint.in/india/uddhav-thackeray-announces-emergency-relief-of-rs-100-crore-to-raigad-over-cyclone-nisarga/436316/ |access-date=6 June 2020 |work=ThePrint |date=5 June 2020}} The Government of Maharashtra put the total damage from Nisarga at Rs.60.48 billion (US$803 million), and the state required Rs11 billion (US$146 million) to recover from the damage caused by Nisarga.{{cite news |last=Waghmode |first=Vishwas |title=Maharashtra: State pegs Cyclone Nisarga damages at Rs 6,048 crore |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/maharashtra-state-pegs-cyclone-nisarga-damages-at-rs-6048-crore-6511283/ |access-date=6 October 2020 |work=The Indian Express |date=18 July 2020}}{{cite news |last=Marpakwar |first=Prafulla |title=Rs 6,000 crore cyclone damage, Maharashtra seeks Rs 1,100 crore aid |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/rs-6000-crore-cyclone-damage-maharashtra-seeks-rs-1100-crore-aid/articleshow/77029366.cms |access-date=6 October 2020 |work=The Times of India |date=18 July 2020}}

The relief activity of the state government was panned for its effectiveness. The slowdown in providing relief was cited due to the peak moment COVID-19 in the state. A month later, 36,000 households electric supply yet to be restored, mainly due to pandemic followed by torrential monsoon activity early July.{{cite news |author1=Assainar Raina |title=Month after cyclone Nisarga, 36,000 houses remain unlit |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/month-after-the-cyclone-36000-houses-remain-unlit/article32026216.ece |access-date=5 October 2020 |work=The Hindu |date=9 July 2020 }} Damaged roads slowed down the process of loss evaluation of agricultural land.{{cite news |author1=Alok Deshpande |title=The day after, CM takes stock of cyclone Nisarga havoc |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/the-day-after-cm-takes-stock-of-cyclone-nisarga-havoc/article31752868.ece |access-date=5 October 2020 |work=The Hindu |date=5 June 2020}} The {{INRConvert|100|c}} relief package was criticised for been meagre by the state's opposition leader Devendra Fadnavis.{{cite news |title=Rs 100 Crore Cyclone Nisarga Package "Meagre", Says Devendra Fadnavis |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/cyclone-nisarga-rs-100-crore-package-meagre-says-devendra-fadnavis-2241967 |access-date=5 October 2020 |work=NDTV.com |agency=Press Trust of India |date=6 June 2020}}

Government of Maharashtra estimated about {{INRConvert|1300|c}} aid for households affected. Slabs was decided for damage and materials lost and compensation was granted depending on the impact. While the compensation ranged from {{INRConvert|15|k}} to {{INRConvert|50|k}} for partial damage,{{INRConvert|1.5|l}} was granted to families where houses were totally collapsed.{{cite news |title=State estimates ₹1,300-crore aid for families hit by cyclone Nisarga |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/state-estimates-1-300-crore-aid-for-families-hit-by-cyclone-nisarga/story-RIhNbSEHe2OJ4K74LtvqOJ.html |access-date=5 October 2020 |work=Hindustan Times |date=18 June 2020 }} Package of {{INRConvert|24|c}} was allotted for the damaged 1,470 government schools and {{INRConvert|2|l}} each for damaged private schools in the affected districts. Cyclone Nisarga destroyed 23 out of 25 houses in Udaywadi village.{{Cite web|date=2020-06-07|title=Cyclone Nisarga: 23 of 25 structures in Pune village damaged|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/cyclone-nisarga-23-of-25-structures-in-pune-village-damaged/story-FIVH6HKjj52hx5aNcJ4SiP.html|access-date=2021-02-10|website=Hindustan Times}}

Cyclone Nisarga produced heavy rainfall in the states of Maharashtra and Gujarat. 72.5 mm of rain was recorded in Marahashtra, with Jalna receiving the most rainfall (152mm).{{cite web |last1=Gangan |first1=Surendra P |last2=Venkatraman |first2=Tanushree |title=Cyclone Nisarga: Crops on 8,000 hectares destroyed in Maharashtra |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/cyclone-nisarga-crops-on-8-000-hectares-destroyed-in-maharashtra/story-4jdtSeYlDRXvn7tt3wbQdO.html |website=Hindustan Times |access-date=1 April 2021 |date=5 June 2020}}