Cyclone Jal

Cyclonic Storm Jal (05B)

Severe cyclonic storm (IMD)
Tropical storm (SSHS)
Severe Cyclonic Storm Jal near Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, at peak intensity on November 7, 2010
Formed	October 31, 2010
Dissipated	November 8, 2010
Highest winds	3-minute sustained: 110 km/h (70 mph) 1-minute sustained: 100 km/h (65 mph)
Lowest pressure	988 mbar (hPa; 29.18 inHg)
Fatalities	at least 118 dead, 12 missing
Damage	$1.729 billion (2010 USD)
Areas affected	Malaysia, Malay Peninsula, Sri Lanka, India
Part of the 2010 Pacific typhoon season & 2010 North Indian Ocean cyclone season

Severe Cyclonic Storm Jal (IMD designation:BOB 05, JTWC designation:05B), also known as Cyclone Jal, is the fifth named cyclonic storm and the fourth Severe Cyclonic Storm of the 2010 North Indian Ocean cyclone season. Jal developed from a low pressure area in the South China Sea that organized into a Tropical Depression on October 28. Jal is a Sanskrit word, meaning water. At least 54 people are known to have been killed in India.^[1] As a tropical depression, Jal produced torrential rains over parts of Thailand and Malaysia, triggering severe flooding which killed 59 and four people in the two countries respectively.^[2] In Sri Lanka, heavy rainfall with strong winds have caused flooding affecting around 80,000 people.

Meteorological history

Storm path

On October 12, a weak tropical disturbance formed within a monsoonal trough of low pressure in the South China Sea, just off the eastern coast of Borneo.^[3] For the next few weeks, the system stalled on the eastern coast of Bormeo, remaining disorganized, while the system barely affected the island of Borneo at all. During the last week of October, the storm detached from the moonsonal trough, and began slowly moving east. On October 29, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) both reported that the system had began to develop, already beginning to organize itself, about 550 km (340 mi), to the southeast of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. During the next few days, the tropical depression strengthened slowly as it slowly moved towards the eastern border of the Indian Ocean. During this time, convection around the disturbance increased, but failed to organize around the storm's low level circulation center. Despite these unfavorable conditions, the storm managed to develop convection around its area of low pressure, and organized itself significantly. On October 31, the Thai and Malaysian meteorological departments (TMD) reported that the disturbance had developed into a tropical depression, and initiated advisories on the system. From October 31 comtinuing into November 1, the storm strengthened slightly as it continued moving towards the Indian Ocean, but not enough for it to become a tropical storm. Late on November 1, the tropical depression crossed the Malay Peninsula, and entered the extreme eastern part of the Indian Ocean, causing the west Pacific agencies to cancel all their advisories on the storm, as it was no longer in the west Pacific Ocean. As soon as the system entered the extreme eastern border of the Indian Ocean, the India Meteorological Agency (IMD) immediately declared the storm a depression, and began issuing advisories on the system, because the system had already organized itself into a tropical depression in the west Pacific Ocean, on October 31, which was a day before the system entered the IMD's area of responsibility.^[4] Later on November 1, the system began showing signs of further, but slow organization, as the system continued moving west slowly.^[5] Early on November 2, the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MMD) also issued their first advisory on the system, and the IMD simply called it Depression, becausing the storm had not yet entered the Bay of Bengal.^[6] Later on that day, the IMD reported that the system had weakened into an area of low pressure, due to the effects of crossing the Malay Peninsula, but they forecast it to become a depression soon again, as the storm was moving over warm water.^[7] Late on November 3, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) issued a tropical cyclone formation alert on the system, as it began reorganizing itself.^[8] Early on November 4, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) upgraded the area of low pressure to a depression again, this time giving it the designation "BOB 05," as the system had now entered the Bay of Bengal.^[9] On November 5, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) designated the system as Tropical Cyclone 05B.^[10]

Early on November 6, the IMD upgraded Depression BOB 05 to a deep depression.^[11] Later, the deep depression strengthened further, prompting the IMD to upgrade it to a cyclonic storm, and was named "Jal".^[12] The storm continued to grow and became a severe cyclonic storm by November 6.^[13] Soon afterward, it was upgraded to a Category 1 Tropical Cyclone by the JTWC.^[14] On November 7, Jal started weakening.^[15] Soon afterward, the IMD reported that Jal weakened into a Cyclonic Storm.^[16] Later that day, the JTWC downgraded Jal into a Tropical storm.^[17] Late on the same day, the IMD reported that the storm weakened into a Deep Depression.^[18] As a deep depression, the system made landfall at Chennai, a few hours later.^[19] The system continued to weaken and became a depression by early hours of November 8.^[20] The depression continued to weaken until it dissipated into a remnant low on the same day.^[21] While on that very same day the IMD said that there is a possibility of re-strengthening of Jal's remnants over north east Arabian sea.^[22] And as the IMD said, the system moved into the Arabian Sea without weakening by early November 9.^[23] But instead of moving across the Arabian Sea, the depression moved north along the western coast of India, restrengthening slightly, but not enough for it to regenerate. Within a few hours, the storm started moving inland, due to the prevailing winds. The system rapidly weakened as it moved farther inland over the next few days, causing severe flooding along the way. Early on November 12, the remnants of Cyclone Jal were completely absorbed by a non-tropical low over the Himalayas.

Preparations and impact

Cyclone Jal as a tropical depression, late on November 1, in the middle of crossing the Malay Peninsula

Death toll Malaysia 4 [2] Thailand 59[citation needed] India 55[1][24] Total (as of November 12, 2010) 118

Thailand

See also: 2010 Thai floods

When Jal was just a low pressure area, it hit Thailand and strengthened into a depression. As a result, heavy to very heavy rains battered the country causing extensive flooding and claimed 59 lives. The government of Thailand estimated the total damage to be around US$1.676 billion.^[25]

Malaysia

See also: 2010 north Malaysian floods

As a tropical depression, Jal produced substantial rainfall over parts of northern Malaysia,^[26] triggering severe flooding which killed at least four people. Nearly 50,000 people were forced to leave their homes due to rising flood waters. The severity of damage also prompted the closure of an airport and the regions major highway.^[2]

The floods affected transportation in and around Kedah and Perlis, shutting down rail and closing roads including the North–South Expressway.^[27] Alor Setar's Sultan Abdul Halim Airport was also closed after its runway was flooded, leaving helicopters as the only mode of aerial transport into Kedah and Perlis.^[28] The floods also contaminated water supply in Kedah and Perlis, forcing the states to receive supplies from the neighbouring state of Perak.^[29]

Rice production, a key industry in Kedah and Perlis, was badly affected by the floods. According to the federal government, over 45,000 hectares of rice fields were damaged in Kedah alone. The government pledged 26 million ringgit in aid to farmers in both states.^[30] In Perlis, the floods submerged over two-thirds of the state's land in water.^[31] The north-eastern state of Kelantan was also affected by the floods, causing the closure of some schools.^[32]

The floods triggered immediate political fallout. The Federal Minister for Housing and Local Government and Alor Setar MP Chor Chee Heung criticised the Kedah State government (led by the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party, an opponent of Chor's Barisan Nasional coalition) for what he considered a slow response to the floods and the government's inexperience. Chor's own home in Alor Setar was flooded.^[33][34] Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin claimed the State government had a responsibility to assist victims of the flood.^[35] Kedah's Chief Minister Azizan argued that his government's response had been "quick" and that 300,000 ringgit in aid had been committed to the affected areas.^[31] Kedah's Sultan Abdul Halim called publicly for politics to be set aside for the purposes of dealing with the floods.^[36]

India

A map showing the total rainfall from Cyclone Jal in India

A cyclone warning was issued to the east Indian coasts which were already hit by a strong monsoonal trough that caused severe flooding and killed hundreds of people displacing many more. Storm warning signals were hoisted in Ganjam and Jagatsinghpur districts of Orissa.^[37] Over 70,000 people evacuated from four districts of Andhra Pradesh, the authorities provided shelter in relief camps across interior Andhra Pradesh.^[38] Five teams of 40–50 rescuers arrived at the low lying, already flooded areas in Andhra Pradesh where the impact of the system was expected to be worse.^[39]

As the cyclone neared landfall, heavy rainfall caused mudslides and flooding. On November 9, The Andhra Pradesh chief minister Konijeti Rosaiah said that about 54 have died in India due to the storm.^[1] The National Disaster Response Force at Arakkonam in Tamil Nadu shifted their personnel to Nellore in order to supervise the rescue and relief operations.^[40]

The remnants of former Cyclone Jal (05B), over Gujarat, India, on November 10

Over 16 flights scheduled to land at Chennai were diverted to Bangalore because of poor visibility.^[41] It was reported that around 300 thousand hectares of cropland was devastated by the cyclone.^[42] Power outages occurred at many places in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh throughout Sunday.^[43] The Indian government said that they would be giving twenty kilograms of rice and five litres of kerosene to each family in flood-affected areas. They would also give 2 lakhs to the families of the victims.^[44] The total damage estimated by the Indian government was US$53.55 million with Visakhapatnam district suffering a damage of US$18.53 million, Nellore district suffering a damage of US$22.59 million and Prakasam district suffering a damage of US$12.43 million.^[45][46] Coastal and interior areas of Karnataka too faced heavy rains due to the cyclone. One person was killed in Chennai, Tamil Nadu when a tree toppled.^[24]

As the remnants of Jal continued to move northwest, they brought light to moderate spells of rain in India's warmest state of Rajasthan. Later on, light to moderate spells of rain also battered the state of Gujarat.^[47]

Sri Lanka

See also: 2010 Colombo floods

Cyclone Jal was about 400 km away from Trincomalee, but it moved towards South India to make a landfall there. However, heavy rainfall with strong winds and rough sea conditions were warned by the Sri Lankan Meteorological Department.^[48]

After the dissipation of Cyclone Jal over western India on November 8, heavy thundershowers occurred in almost all parts of Sri lanka on 10 November, and by 08:30 am 11 November Colombo had received a rainfall of 443 mm within the previous 24 hours. It was the highest rainfall Colombo had received in a day after 18 years. Many of the lowlands in and around Colombo were flooded. Officials announced that around 80,000 people were affected by the floods in Colombo district. Navy boats and Air Force helicopters were also summoned for relief activities.

See also

• Cyclone Laila
• Cyclone Phet
• Cyclone Giri

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} "Cyclone Jal's Death Toll Put At 54". Fully Hyderabad. http://www.fullhyderabad.com/hyderabad-news/jal-cyclone-status-death-toll-in-andhra-pradesh-put-at-54-2432. Retrieved 9 November 2010. 
2. ^ ^{a b c} Staff Writer (November 6, 2010). "Four dead, 50,000 displaced in Malaysia floods". Agence-France-Presse. http://www.webcitation.org/5uEJe2Mkr. Retrieved November 6, 2010. 
3. ^ "99W.INVEST Intensifying in the Pacific Ocean". Joint Typhoon Warning Center. http://www.webcitation.org/5tsDIoVjx. Retrieved 2 November 2010. 
4. ^ "IMD Declares 99W, a Depression". India Meteorological Department. http://www.webcitation.org/5tv8y6Hr8. Retrieved 2 November 2010. 
5. ^ "JTWC - 99W is Intensifying slowly". Joint Typhoon Warning Center. http://www.webcitation.org/5tw75ZHjN. Retrieved 2 November 2010. 
6. ^ "MMD Tropical Depression Advisory for Tropical Depression#7". Malaysian Meteorological Department. http://www.webcitation.org/5twRn4Uj2. Retrieved 2 November 2010. 
7. ^ "IMD All Indian Weather Report - November 2, 2010 - Evening". India Meteorological Department. http://www.webcitation.org/5twXgSOuz. Retrieved 1 November 2010. 
8. ^ "JTWC Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert for Pre-Tropical Cyclone 05B". Joint Typhoon Warning Center. https://www.fnmoc.navy.mil/tcweb/cgi-bin/tc_home.cgi?ATCF_NAME=wp992010.gif&PROD=gif&SENSOR=&PHOT=yes&ARCHIVE=Latest&DIR=/tcweb/dynamic/products/tc10/IO/99W.INVEST/ssmi/ir1km&SIZE=full&TYPE=ssmi&NAV=tc&DISPLAY=Active&CURRENT=wp992010.20101103135959.gif&YEAR=2010&MO=Nov&BASIN=IO&STORM_NAME=99W.INVEST&ACTIVES=10-SHEM-02S.ANGGREK,10-ATL-21L.TOMAS,10-WPAC-90W.INVEST,10-IO-99W.INVEST,. Retrieved 3 November 2010. 
9. ^ "IMD Tropical Cyclone Bulletin 01 for Depression BOB 05". India Meteorological Department. http://www.webcitation.org/5typGguth. Retrieved 4 November 2010. 
10. ^ "JTWC Tropical Cyclone 05B Warning 01". Joint Typhoon Warning Center. http://www.webcitation.org/5u01ZyOwz. Retrieved 5 November 2010. 
11. ^ "IMD Tropical Cyclone Bulletin 06 for Deep Depression BOB 05". India Meteorological Department. http://www.webcitation.org/5u0N8iSkv. Retrieved 5 November 2010. 
12. ^ "IMD Tropical Cyclone Bulletin 08 for Cyclonic Storm Jal". India Meteorological Department. http://www.webcitation.org/5u0iKMD63. Retrieved 5 November 2010. 
13. ^ "IMD Tropical Cyclone Bulletin 13 for Severe Cyclonic Storm Jal". India Meteorological Department. http://www.webcitation.org/5u1j64oQI. Retrieved 6 November 2010. 
14. ^ "JTWC Tropical Cyclone 05B Warning 06". Joint Typhoon Warning Center. http://www.webcitation.org/5u20xn1ZY. Retrieved 6 November 2010. 
15. ^ "IMD Tropical Cyclone Bulletin 23 for Severe Cyclonic Storm Jal". India Meteorological Department. http://www.webcitation.org/5u3YdOeFc. Retrieved 7 November 2010. 
16. ^ "IMD Tropical Cyclone Bulletin 24 for Severe Cyclonic Storm Jal". India Meteorological Department. http://www.webcitation.org/5u3iLfVQk. Retrieved 7 November 2010. 
17. ^ "JTWC Tropical Cyclone 05B Warning 12". Joint Typhoon Warning Center. http://www.webcitation.org/5u48M4Xcj. Retrieved 7 November 2010. 
18. ^ "IMD Tropical Cyclone Bulletin 27 for Severe Cyclonic Storm Jal". India Meteorological Department. http://www.webcitation.org/5u4PTGVmc. Retrieved 7 November 2010. 
19. ^ "IMD Deep Depression BOB05 (Pre-Cyclonic storm Jal) Advisory 21". India Meteorological Department. http://www.webcitation.org/5u4qFb5Wz. Retrieved 8 November 2010. 
20. ^ "IMD Tropical Cyclone Bulletin 29 for Severe Cyclonic Storm Jal". India Meteorological Department. http://www.webcitation.org/5u4q2q60U. Retrieved 8 November 2010. 
21. ^ "IMD Tropical Cyclone Bulletin 31 for Severe Cyclonic Storm Jal". India Meteorological Department. http://www.webcitation.org/5u5BGOgDw. Retrieved 8 November 2010. 
22. ^ "IMD All India Weather Report November 8th - Midday". India Meteorological Department. http://www.webcitation.org/5u6W2RWta. Retrieved 9 November 2010. 
23. ^ "IMD All India Weather Report November 9th - Morning". India Meteorological Department. http://www.webcitation.org/5u6W6FIxz. Retrieved 9 November 2010. 
24. ^ ^{a b} Raj, D Ram (November 8, 2010). "1 killed as cyclone Jal hits Tamil Nadu coast". Daily News & Analysis. http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_1-killed-as-cyclone-jal-hits-tamil-nadu-coast_1463619. Retrieved 12 November 2010. 
25. ^ "FTI: Damage tally B50bn". Bangkok Post. http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/economics/204512/fti-damage-tally-b50bn. Retrieved 13 November 2010. 
26. ^ "Press Statement: Tropical Depression Warning" (PDF). Malaysian Meteorological Department. November 1, 2010. http://www.met.gov.my/images/pdf/press_statement/lekukantropika_01112010_bi.pdf. Retrieved November 6, 2010. 
27. ^ "Kedah and Perlis scramble to send aid to 19,000 hit by floodwaters". The Star (Star Publications). 3 November 2010. http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/11/3/nation/7352766&sec=nation. Retrieved 5 November 2010. 
28. ^ "Inundated Alor Setar airport remains closed". The Star (Star Publications). 4 November 2010. http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/11/4/nation/7362218&sec=nation. Retrieved 5 November 2010. 
29. ^ "Floods: Perak Sends Clean Water Supply To Kedah, Perlis". Bernama. 5 November 2010. http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v5/newsindex.php?id=541097. Retrieved 5 November 2010. 
30. ^ "Aid For Farmers Affected By Floods In Kedah, Perlis". Bernama. 6 November 2010. http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsindex.php?id=541292. Retrieved 6 November 2010. 
31. ^ ^{a b} "33,000 in shelters: Flood situation ‘very bad’ in Kedah, ‘precarious’ in Perlis". New Straits Times (New Straits Times Press). 4 November 2010. http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/33_000inshelters/Article/. Retrieved 5 November 2010. 
32. ^ "13 Kelantan Schools To Reopen Tomorrow". Bernama. 6 November 2010. http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/state_news/news.php?id=541169&cat=et. Retrieved 6 November 2010. 
33. ^ "Kedah Government Slow In Helping Flood Victims - Chor". Bernama. 5 November 2010. http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsgeneral.php?id=541124. Retrieved 5 November 2010. 
34. ^ Foong Pek Yee (5 November 2010). "Double-tracking project worsened flood situation in Kedah - Chor". The Star (Star Publications). http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/11/5/nation/20101105123917&sec=nation. Retrieved 5 November 2010. 
35. ^ "Do not ignore plight of flood victims, says Muhyiddin". The Star (Star Publications). 6 November 2010. http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/11/6/nation/20101106140013&sec=nation. Retrieved 6 November 2010. 
36. ^ "Kedah Sultan sad over flood, urges everyone to work together". The Star (Star Publications). 6 November 2010. http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/11/6/nation/20101106173915&sec=nation. Retrieved 6 November 2010. 
37. ^ "Two Orissa ports on alert over cyclone 'Jal'". Sify News. http://sify.com/news/two-odisha-ports-on-alert-over-cyclone-jal-news-national-klgnOecbgia.html. Retrieved 6 November 2010. 
38. ^ "Jal set to hit AP coast today, 70K evacuated". The Times of India. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Jal-set-to-hit-AP-coast-today-70K-evacuated/articleshow/6881986.cms. Retrieved 7 November 2010. 
39. ^ "Five evacuation teams deployed in Andhra". Sify News. http://sify.com/news/five-evacuation-teams-deployed-in-andhra-news-national-klgukkijifc.html. Retrieved 6 November 2010. 
40. ^ "Alert sounds for Cyclone ‘Jal’ in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh". Kalugu Media. http://truthdive.com/2010/11/07/alert-sounds-for-cyclone-%E2%80%98jal%E2%80%99-in-tamil-nadu-and-andhra-pradesh.html. Retrieved 7 November 2010. 
41. ^ "Cyclone 'Jal' weakening, says weathermen". The Times of India. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Cyclone-Jal-weakening-says-weathermen/articleshow/6883590.cms. Retrieved 7 November 2010. 
42. ^ "Politicos Bicker Amidst Jal Damage". Fully Hyderabad. http://www.fullhyderabad.com/hyderabad-news/cyclone-jal-3-lakh-ha-of-crops-damaged-politicos-busy-mudslinging-2392. Retrieved 7 November 2010. 
43. ^ "Jal weakens, fishermen bear the brunt". Express Buzz. http://expressbuzz.com/cities/chennai/jal-weakens-fishermen-bear-the-brunt/221297.html. Retrieved 8 November 2010. 
44. ^ "Cyclone Jal victims are yet to be ascertained". Fully Hyderabad. http://www.fullhyderabad.com/hyderabad-news/cyclone-jal-updates-east-godavari-death-toll-put-at-14-2405. Retrieved 8 November 2010. 
45. ^ "Jal’s wrath causes Rs. 82 crore damage". Chitramala. http://www.chitramala.com/news/jal-s-wrath-causes-rs-82-crore-damage-122895.html. Retrieved 9 November 2010. 
46. ^ "Damage put at Rs 100cr in Nellore". Deccan Chornicle. http://www.deccanchronicle.com/nellore/crop-damage-put-rs-100cr-nellore-517. Retrieved 9 November 2010. 
47. ^ "‘Jal’ brings Gujarat rain". DNA India. http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_jal-brings-gujarat-rain_1464613. Retrieved 10 November 2010. 
48. ^ http://www.adaderana.lk/news.php?nid=10491

External links

• India Meteorological Department
• Joint Typhoon Warning Center

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Tropical cyclones of the 2010 North Indian Ocean cyclone season
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