Deep Depression ARB 02 (2015)

{{Infobox weather event

| name = Deep Depression ARB 02

| image = ARB 02 23 June 2015.jpg

| caption = ARB 02 approaching the Gujarati coast on 23 June

| alt = A satellite image shows a deep depression with a small central dense overcast, and moved towards the Gujarati coast.

| formed = 22 June 2015

| dissipated = 24 June 2015

}}{{Infobox weather event/IMD

| winds = 30

| pressure = 988

}}{{Infobox weather event/Effects

| year = 2015

| fatalities = 81

| damage = 260000000

| damage-suffix =
(Government estimate)

| areas = West India (particularly Gujarat)

}}{{Infobox weather event/Footer

| season = 2015 North Indian Ocean cyclone season

}}

Deep Depression ARB 02 was a weak tropical cyclone which brought heavy rains and flooding to the Indian state of Gujarat in June 2015. It was the third tropical cyclone and second deep depression of the 2015 North Indian Ocean cyclone season.

Flooding in the Amreli district was reported to be the worst in 90 years; 600 of the district's 838 villages were affected, 400 of which were rendered inaccessible by land. At least 80 people died in the region, with Saurashtra suffering the greatest losses.{{cite web|title=Gujarat death toll touches 80, four lakh ex gratia for kin|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/gujarat-death-toll-touches-80-four-lakh-ex-gratia-for-kin/article1-1363271.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150628035521/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/gujarat-death-toll-touches-80-four-lakh-ex-gratia-for-kin/article1-1363271.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=28 June 2015|date=June 27, 2015|publisher=Hinudstan Times|location=Ahmedabad, India|access-date=June 27, 2015}}{{Cite journal|last=Devi|first=S. Sunitha|last2=Kundale|first2=A. P.|date=July 2016|title=Cyclones and depressions over the north Indian Ocean during 2015|url=https://metnet.imd.gov.in/mausamdocs/46731.pdf|journal=Mausam|publisher=India Meteorological Department|volume=67|issue=3|pages=537–538|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191104070021/https://metnet.imd.gov.in/mausamdocs/46731.pdf|archive-date=2019-11-04}} The wild life of Gir Forest National Park and the adjoining area was also affected. Ten Asiatic lions, an endangered species with only 523 living individuals documented in May 2015, died during the floods while more than a dozen remain missing.{{cite news|author=Mahesh Langa|date=June 28, 2015|title=Gujarat floods kill 7 lions, more than a dozen still missing|newspaper=Hindustan Times|location=Ahmedabad, India|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/gujarat-floods-kill-7-lions-more-than-a-dozen-still-missing/article1-1363537.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150628155000/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/gujarat-floods-kill-7-lions-more-than-a-dozen-still-missing/article1-1363537.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=28 June 2015|access-date=June 28, 2015}}{{cite news|date=June 28, 2015|title=Rains Kill Four More Lions in Gujarat, Toll Climbs to 9|newspaper=The New Indian Express|agency=Press Trust of India|location=Ahmedabad, India|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/Rains-Kill-Four-More-Lions-in-Gujarat-Toll-Climbs-to-9/2015/06/28/article2889761.ece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150628194308/http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/Rains-Kill-Four-More-Lions-in-Gujarat-Toll-Climbs-to-9/2015/06/28/article2889761.ece|url-status=dead|archive-date=28 June 2015|access-date=June 28, 2015}} The Gujarat government estimated damage at {{ntsp|16500000000||{{Indian Rupee|link=Indian Rupee}}}} ({{ntsp|257867115||US$}}); however, Congress MLA Paresh Dhanani claimed damage to be as high as {{ntsp|70000000000||{{Indian Rupee}}}} ({{ntsp|1093981700||US$}}).{{cite news|date=July 15, 2015|title=Flash flood: Govt announces Rs 300-crore relief package|newspaper=The Indian Express|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/flash-flood-govt-announces-rs-300-crore-relief-package/|access-date=August 2, 2015}}

Meteorological history

The monsoon in Gujarat typically starts in mid-June every year. Following a series of monsoonal disturbances, a fresh wave of thunderstorms organized into an area of low pressure on 21 June in the Arabian Sea, off the coast of Gujarat.{{cite web|title=Special Tropical Weather Outlook – 21/0600z |url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/ABIO10-PGTW_201506210600.htm |publisher=USNO |access-date=22 June 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240522075451/https://www.webcitation.org/6ZTJ5cPMI?url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/ABIO10-PGTW_201506210600.htm |archive-date=22 May 2024 |df=dmy }} Deep convection persisted to the west of the system while the circulation continued to develop over the next 24 hours,{{cite web|title=Special Tropical Weather Outlook – 22/0600z |url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/ABIO10-PGTW_201506220500.htm |publisher=USNO |access-date=22 June 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240522075529/https://www.webcitation.org/6ZTJGJh5f?url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/ABIO10-PGTW_201506220500.htm |archive-date=22 May 2024 |df=dmy }} and the IMD started tracking it as a depression, with the identifier ARB 02.{{cite web|title=Tropical Weather Outlook – 22/0600z |url=http://www.rsmcnewdelhi.imd.gov.in/images/cyclone_pdfs/rsmc_1434975374.pdf |publisher=India Meteorological Department |access-date=22 June 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821153319/http://www.rsmcnewdelhi.imd.gov.in/images/cyclone_pdfs/rsmc_1434975374.pdf |archive-date=21 August 2016 }} ARB 02 continued to develop and by the night of 22 June, the JTWC issued a TCFA on the system, while it was {{convert|285|nmi|abbr=on}} west-northwest of Mumbai.{{cite web|title=Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert – 22/2100z |url=http://www.usno.navy.mil/NOOC/nmfc-ph/RSS/jtwc/warnings/io9715web.txt |publisher=Joint Typhoon Warning Center |access-date=23 June 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240522075610/https://www.webcitation.org/6ZUMvGV7s?url=http://www.usno.navy.mil/NOOC/nmfc-ph/RSS/jtwc/warnings/io9715web.txt |archive-date=22 May 2024 |df=dmy }}

Impact

File:Flood Affected Areas of Amreli District Gujarat India on 24 June 2015 1.jpg

There were heavy rains on 23 and 24 June 2015 across Gujarat.{{Verify source|date=December 2017}}Saurashtra and south Gujarat received 65.99% and 37.82% respectively of their average monsoon season rainfall in June. Central-East Gujarat received 19.92%, north Gujarat 7.45% and Kutch 7.30% of their average monsoon season rainfall. Overall Gujarat received 33.95% of its average monsoon season rainfall. These large amounts of rain falling in a short period of time resulted in flooding in Saurashtra region.{{cite web |author = DeshGujarat|title = Saurashtra completes 66% of average monsoon season's rain, Gujarat 34%|website = DeshGujarat|date = 24 June 2015|url = http://DeshGujarat.Com/2015/06/24/saurashtra-completes-66-of-average-monsoon-seasons-rain-gujarat-34/|access-date = 26 June 2015}}{{cite web |author = DeshGujarat|title = Quick updates in brief on Gujarat flood|website = DeshGujarat|date = 24 June 2015|url = http://DeshGujarat.Com/2015/06/24/quick-updates-in-brief-on-gujarat-flood/|access-date = 26 June 2015}}

Torrential rains battered Gujarat, with peak accumulations of {{convert|636|mm|in|abbr=on}} in Bagasara, {{convert|511|mm|in|abbr=on}} in Dhari, and {{convert|400|mm|in|abbr=on}} in Variyav. Severe flooding ensued across the region, isolating many villages in the Saurashtra region.{{cite web|agency=Press Trust of India|publisher=News Nation|date=24 June 2015|access-date=24 June 2015|title=Flood-like situation in Gujarat due to heavy rains; 34 dead|url=http://www.newsnation.in/article/82823-flood-situation-gujarat-due-heavy-rains.html|location=Ahmedabad, India}}

In Saurashtra, Amreli district was badly affected, facing its worst flood in ninety years. Nearly 600 of the 838 villages in the district were flooded. More than 400 villages were inaccessible as road and rail connections were washed away due to flash floods and they had no electricity. Shetrunji river and its tributaries were flooded. A railway bridge near Gavadka collapsed and a railway line was washed away near Borala village near Savarkundla. Paschim Gujarat Vij Company Ltd (PGVCL) declared 705 electricity poles damaged.{{cite web |author = TNN|title = Gujarat's Amreli battles worst flood in 90 years|website = The Times of India|date = 26 June 2015|url = http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Gujarats-Amreli-battles-worst-flood-in-90-years/articleshow/47821585.cms|access-date = 26 June 2015}} In Rajkot district, more than 1700 houses sustained damage. Jetpur town was flooded as the floodgates of Bhadar dam were opened.{{cite web |author = India|title = Gujarat flooding: 70 dead, thousands cut off as Saurashtra is hit by heavy rains|website = The Indian Express|date = 26 June 2015|url = http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/gujarat-flooding-70-dead-thousands-cut-off-as-saurashtra-goes-under-water/|access-date = 26 June 2015}}

There was severe damage to crops and a large number of cattle died. The flood and heavy rain resulted in 81 deaths across Gujarat.{{cite news |last = Stevenson|first = Chris|title = Indian monsoon rains kill 81 and leave over 9,000 stranded|newspaper = The Independent|date = 26 June 2015|url = https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/indian-monsoon-rains-kill-81-and-leave-over-9000-stranded-10348268.html|access-date = 26 June 2015}} The preliminary damage estimated by the government were at {{INR}}1650 crore (US$260 million), but The Indian Express estimated the damage at {{INR}}7000 crore (US$1.1 billion), much higher than the government's estimation. However, Congress MLA Paresh Dhanani claimed damage to be as high as {{ntsp|70000000000||{{Indian Rupee}}}} ({{ntsp|1093981700||US$}}).

The Gir Forest National Park and adjoining area housing Asiatic lions, an endangered species with only 523 living individuals documented in May 2015, was severely affected. The carcasses of 10 lions, 1670 Nilgai, 87 spotted deer, nine black bucks, six wild boars and some porcupines were also recovered.{{cite web | title=10 Lions, About 90 Spotted Deer Killed in Flash Floods in Gujarat | website=NDTV.com | date=12 July 2015 | url=http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/10-lions-about-90-spotted-deer-killed-in-flash-floods-in-gujarat-780545 | access-date=2 August 2015}}{{cite web |title = 5 Lions Found Dead in Gujarat After Heavy Rain Leads to Flooding|website = NDTV|date = 26 June 2015|url = http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/5-lions-found-dead-in-gujarat-after-heavy-rain-leads-to-flooding-775732|access-date = 26 June 2015}}{{cite web |last = Parmar|first = Vijaysinh|title = Four lions found dead in flood waters in Gujarat|website = The Times of India|date = 26 June 2015|url = http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/rajkot/Four-lions-found-dead-in-flood-waters-in-Gujarat/articleshow/47833777.cms|access-date = 26 June 2015}}{{cite web |title = Heavy rains take a toll of five Asiatic lions in Gujarat|website = India TV News|date = 26 June 2015|url = http://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/heavy-rains-take-a-toll-of-five-asiatic-lions-in-gujarat-52082.html|access-date = 26 June 2015}}{{cite web |title = Gujarat flash floods kill eight lions, other animals : Mail Today, News|website = India Today|date = 28 June 2015|url = http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/gujarat-flash-floods-lions-animals-die-gir-forest/1/447566.html|access-date = 29 June 2015}}{{cite news|author=Mahesh Langa|newspaper=Hindustan Times|date=28 June 2015|access-date=28 June 2015|title=Gujarat floods kill 7 lions, more than a dozen still missing|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/gujarat-floods-kill-7-lions-more-than-a-dozen-still-missing/article1-1363537.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150628155000/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/gujarat-floods-kill-7-lions-more-than-a-dozen-still-missing/article1-1363537.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=28 June 2015|location=Ahmedabad, India}}{{cite news|agency=Press Trust of India|newspaper=The New Indian Express|date=28 June 2015|access-date=28 June 2015|title=Rains Kill Four More Lions in Gujarat, Toll Climbs to 9|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/Rains-Kill-Four-More-Lions-in-Gujarat-Toll-Climbs-to-9/2015/06/28/article2889761.ece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150628194308/http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/Rains-Kill-Four-More-Lions-in-Gujarat-Toll-Climbs-to-9/2015/06/28/article2889761.ece|url-status=dead|archive-date=28 June 2015|location=Ahmedabad, India}}{{cite web | last=Analysis | first=Daily News & | title=Gujarat floods take huge toll on lion prey, 1670 nilgai and 80 deers dead | website=dna | date=11 July 2015 | url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-gujarat-floods-take-huge-toll-on-lion-prey-1670-nilgai-and-80-deers-dead-2103533 | access-date=2 August 2015}}

A total of 1,12,217 farmers suffered major or minor damages, while 1,34,007 hectares of land were eroded.{{cite web | title=Rs 300cr relief package for Amreli, other flood-hit areas | website=The Times of India | date=15 July 2015 | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/Rs-300cr-relief-package-for-Amreli-other-flood-hit-areas/articleshow/48079408.cms | access-date=2 August 2015}}

Aftermath

File:Flood Affected Areas of Amreli District Gujarat India on 24 June 2015 4.jpg

The state government deployed the Indian Air Force (IAF) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) for rescue and relief operation.{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/more-than-60-died-in-gujarat-due-to-heavy-rains/article1-1362733.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626111953/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/more-than-60-died-in-gujarat-due-to-heavy-rains/article1-1362733.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=26 June 2015|title=Monsoon rain 24% excess so far, 60 die in Gujarat floods|date=26 June 2015|website=www.hindustantimes.com/|access-date=26 June 2015}} On 25 June 2015, IAF helicopters delivered more than 200,000 food packets to villages affected by the flood. Around 4,000 people were evacuated from seventeen villages downstream of Bhadar dam. More than 200 people were rescued from various places affected by the floods. The Chief Minister of Gujarat, Anandiben Patel declared Rs 400,000 as compensation to the kin of each of the deceased.

The Government of Gujarat announced a {{INR}}300 crore relief package which included {{INR}}150 crore from the National Calamity Relief Fund.{{cite web | title=Flash flood: Govt announces Rs 300-crore relief package | website=The Indian Express | date=15 July 2015 | url=http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/flash-flood-govt-announces-rs-300-crore-relief-package/ | access-date=2 August 2015}}

Another flood affected Gujarat a month after this storm.