ErinChamberlin3 at 16:52, 7 April 2026

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{{Short description|Category 4 North Indian tropical cyclone in 1990}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2019}}
{{good article}}
{{Infobox weather event
| image = BOB 01 May 8 1990 0802Z.png
| caption = 1990 Andhra Pradesh cyclone
| formed = {{start-date|4 May 1990}}
| dissipated = {{end-date|10 May 1990}}
}}{{Infobox weather event/IMD
| winds = 127
| pressure = 920
}}{{Infobox weather event/JTWC
| winds = 125
| pressure = 916
}}{{Infobox weather event/Effects
| damages =
| deaths = 967
| affected = India
}}{{Infobox weather event/Footer
| season = [[1990 North Indian Ocean cyclone season]]
| IBTRACS=1990124N09088
}}

The '''1990 Andhra Pradesh cyclone''' was the worst disaster to affect Southern India since the [[1977 Andhra Pradesh cyclone]]. The system was first noted as a depression on 4 May 1990, while it was located over the Bay of Bengal about {{convert|600|km|mi|round=5|abbr=on}} to the southeast of [[Chennai, India]]. During the next day the depression intensified into a cyclonic storm and started to intensify rapidly, becoming a super cyclonic storm early on 8 May. The cyclone weakened slightly before it made landfall on India about 300 km (190 mi) to the north of [[Madras]] in the [[Tamil Nadu]] state as a very severe cyclonic storm with winds of {{convert|165|km/h|mph|abbr=on|round=5}}. While over land the cyclone gradually dissipated. The cyclone had a severe impact on India, with over 967 people reported to have been killed. Over 100,000 animals also died in the cyclone with the total cost of damages to crops estimated at over ${{formatprice|600000000}} (1990 USD).

==Meteorological history==
{{storm path|Cyclone 02B 1990 track.png}}
On 4 May 1990, the [[India Meteorological Department]] <small>(IMD)</small> reported that a depression had developed over the [[Bay of Bengal]] about {{convert|600|km|mi|round=5|abbr=on}} to the southeast of Chennai, India.<ref name="IMD TCR">{{cite book|title=Report on Cyclonic Disturbances (Depressions and Tropical Cyclones) over North Indian Ocean in 1990 |archive-date=15 January 2015 |pages=3–18 |chapter=2. Pre Monsoon Season Cyclonic Disturbances |date=January 1991 |publisher=India Meteorological Department |url-status=live |chapter-url=https://rsmcnewdelhi.imd.gov.in/download.php?path=uploads/report/27/27_736e8a_35_d4f6b7_RSMC%20REPORT%201990.pdf|access-date=15 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150115051002/http://www.rsmcnewdelhi.imd.gov.in/images/pdf/archive/rsmc/1990.pdf}}</ref> During that day the system gradually developed further and became the subject of a [[Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert]], by the [[Joint Typhoon Warning Center]] as it moved westwards under the influence of the [[subtropical ridge]] of high pressure.<ref name="IMD TCR"/><ref name="JTWC ATCR">{{cite book|chapter-url=https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/products/atcr/1990atcr.pdf |title=1990 Annual Tropical Cyclone Report |chapter=Tropical Cyclone 02B |access-date=15 January 2015 |author=Carr, Lester E |year=1991 |publisher=United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190123223654/https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/products/atcr/1990atcr.pdf|archive-date=23 January 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> The depression subsequently intensified into a cyclonic storm early the next day, before the JTWC initiated advisories on the system and designated it as Tropical Cyclone 02B later that day.<ref name="IMD TCR"/><ref name="JTWC ATCR"/> At this stage the JTWC only expected the cyclone to intensify marginally before it weakened as it made landfall in Southern India within 72 hours.<ref name="JTWC ATCR"/> During 6 May, the system started to move more towards the north-west because of a weakness in the subtropical ridge, as it continued to intensify and became a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm.<ref name="IMD TCR"/>{{IMD TC Database}} This turn towards the northwest turned out to be more northerly than had been expected, which as a result allowed the system to stay offshore for longer than had been expected by the JTWC.<ref name="JTWC ATCR"/>

Over the next couple of days the system rapidly intensified before the JTWC reported early on 8 May, that the system had peaked with 1-minute sustained windspeeds of {{convert|230|km/h|mph|abbr=on|round=5}}, which made the system equivalent to a category 4 hurricane on the [[Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale]].<ref name="JTWC ATCR"/> At around the same time the IMD also reported that the cyclone had peaked as a Super Cyclonic Storm, with 3-minute sustained wind speeds of {{convert|127|kn|km/h mph|order=out|abbr=on|round=5}} and an estimated central pressure of {{convert|920|hPa|inHg|abbr=on|sigfig=4}}.<ref name="IMD TCR"/> By this time the system was located about {{convert|150|km|mi|round=5|abbr=on}} to the northeast of Madras and was moving northwards slowly.<ref name="IMD TCR"/> Later that day as the ship Visvamohini moved through the systems eye region, it measured a central pressure of {{convert|912|hPa|inHg|abbr=on|sigfig=4}}, which the IMD reported would be one of the lowest central pressures ever measured in the Bay of Bengal if it was correct.<ref name="IMD TCR"/> The system subsequently weakened and had become a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm by the time it made landfall during 9 May, near the mouth of the [[Krishna River]] in southern [[Andhra Pradesh]].<ref name="IMD TCR"/><ref name="JTWC ATCR"/><ref name="IMD BT"/> The system subsequently moved north-westwards and gradually weakened further, before it was last noted during 11 May, by both the IMD and JTWC.<ref name="IMD TCR"/><ref name="JTWC ATCR"/>

==Preparations and impact==

===Preparations===
As a result of timely warnings issued by the IMD, the Indian government was able to launch an evacuation campaign and order that all fisherman return to shore.<ref name="Sitrep1-3">{{cite web|url=http://ocha-gwapps1.unog.ch/rw/rwb.nsf/db900SID/OCHA-64CAD9?OpenDocument|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707005401/http://ocha-gwapps1.unog.ch/rw/rwb.nsf/db900SID/OCHA-64CAD9?OpenDocument|url-status=dead|archive-date=2011-07-07|title=India Cyclone May 1990 UNDRO Information Reports 1 - 3|date=14 May 1990|work=United Nations Department of Humanitarian Affairs (DHA)|publisher=[[ReliefWeb]]|access-date=14 November 2009}}</ref><ref name="Earthweek">{{cite web|url= https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/thestar/access/471898041.html?dids=471898041:471898041&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=May+13%2C+1990&author=Steve+Newman&pub=Toronto+Star&desc=EARTHWEEK%3A+A+DIARY+OF+THE+PLANET&pqatl=google|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121023160110/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/thestar/access/471898041.html?dids=471898041:471898041&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=May+13,+1990&author=Steve+Newman&pub=Toronto+Star&desc=EARTHWEEK:+A+DIARY+OF+THE+PLANET&pqatl=google|url-status= dead|archive-date= 23 October 2012|title=Earthweek: A diary of the planet |last=Newman|first=Steve|date=13 May 1990|work=Toronto Star}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SJ&s_site=mercurynews&p_multi=SJ&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB7323B17B2E416&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|title=150,000 flee cyclone on Indian coast|date=9 May 1990|work=San Jose Mercury News|access-date=18 November 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=0VoPAAAAIBAJ&pg=7162,3576376&dq=cyclone&hl=en|title=Cyclone claims 65 in India|date=10 May 1990|publisher=The Bulletin|access-date=18 November 2009}}</ref> This led to more than 150,000 people being evacuated to relief camps which had been set up on higher ground.<ref name="Reeling">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/05/13/world/furious-cyclone-has-india-reeling.html|title=Furious Cyclone has India reeling|last=Hazarika|first=Sanjoy|date=13 May 1990|work=The New York Times|access-date=16 November 2009|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110121225945/http://www.nytimes.com/1990/05/13/world/furious-cyclone-has-india-reeling.html|archive-date=21 January 2011}}</ref> Due to the thorough preparations, there was fewer deaths than in the [[1977 Andhra Pradesh cyclone]].<ref name="JTWC ATCR"/><ref name="Sitrep1-3"/>

===Impact===
On [[Edurumondi|Edurumondi Island]] over 7,000 people were left stranded after they refused to evacuate.<ref name="Earthweek"/> The island itself was reported to have experienced the full brunt of the system.<ref name="JTWC ATCR"/><ref name="Earthweek"/> However, all of the residents reportedly sought protection within a shelter provided by the government.<ref name="Earthweek"/> The cyclone had a significant effect on India, with storm surge tides as high as 4.9 meters (16 ft) above normal. Consequently, over 100 villages were submerged in water and destroyed.<ref name="JTWC ATCR"/> At least 967 people were killed by the cyclone; most of the deaths occurred when houses made mostly out of mud and straw collapsed. Other people were killed when electrical wires were knocked down and while some people were carried away by flooded rivers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ndmindia.nic.in/WCDRDOCS/Primer%20for%20Parliamentarians.pdf|title=Hazards disasters and your community: A Primer for Parliamentarians|date=18 January 2005|publisher=[[Government of India]]|access-date=14 November 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090619073130/http://www.ndmindia.nic.in/WCDRDOCS/Primer%20for%20Parliamentarians.pdf|archive-date=19 June 2009}}</ref><ref name="DAMAGED CROPS">{{cite news|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost/access/72588658.html?dids=72588658:72588658&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=May+14%2C+1990&author=&pub=The+Washington+Post+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=Cyclone+Kills+450+Along+Indian+Coast%3B+Damage+to+Crops+Estimated+at+%24588+Million&pqatl=google|title=Cyclone Kills 450 Along Indian Coast; Damage to Crops Estimated at $588 Million|date=14 May 1990|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=18 November 2009|archive-date=23 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023175644/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost/access/72588658.html?dids=72588658:72588658&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=May+14,+1990&author=&pub=The+Washington+Post+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=Cyclone+Kills+450+Along+Indian+Coast%3B+Damage+to+Crops+Estimated+at+$588+Million&pqatl=google|url-status=dead}}</ref> The storm left at least 3 million people homeless, while over 100,000 farm animals were killed. At least {{convert|435000|acre|km2}} of rice paddies were destroyed along with huge tracts of mango and banana trees. The total damage to crops and property was estimated at over ${{formatprice|600000000}} (1990 USD).<ref name="JTWC ATCR"/><ref name="DAMAGED CROPS"/> The cyclone was described as the worst disaster in southern India since the 1977 storm.<ref name="Sitrep1-3"/> Sea water contaminated fresh drinking wells, prompting warnings about outbreaks of Cholera and Typhoid as many people were drinking and cooking with water from the drains which was causing stomach disorders.<ref name="Reeling"/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=GB&p_theme=gb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB191F082E41562&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|title=India Stunned after Cyclone|date=15 May 1990|publisher=news-record.com|access-date=18 November 2009}}</ref>

====Tamil Nadu====
Overall the cyclone only caused minor damage to Tamil Nadu with the worst affected area being the district of Chengalpattu, where one of the old shrines of Kasiviswanathar Temple collapsed as high waves hit the coast.<ref name="IMD TCR"/> A large number of huts were also washed away by the waves, while six deaths were reported in the state.<ref name="IMD TCR"/>

==Aftermath==
On 11 May, two days after the cyclone had hit, the Indian Government launched a massive relief and rescue operation. The Indian Army and Naval helicopters took surveys of areas affected by the cyclone, and also dropped food packets.<ref name="Sitrep1-3"/> Although the Indian Government did not request international assistance, the Red Cross provided food, oil, medicines and water tanks for the affected families; the Commission on Inter-Church Aid, Refugee and World Service (CICARWS) at the World Council of Churches issued an appeal for ${{formatprice|262000}} (1990 USD) so they could provide immediate needs with World Vision providing ${{formatprice|160000}} (1990 USD) for food blankets and utensils.<ref name="Sitrep1-3"/>

==See also==
{{Portal|Tropical cyclones}}
*[[1990 North Indian Ocean cyclone season]]
*[[1977 Andhra Pradesh cyclone]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.usno.navy.mil/JTWC Joint Typhoon Warning Center] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100301105349/http://www.usno.navy.mil/JTWC |date=1 March 2010 }}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20050320025144/http://www.imd.ernet.in/main_new.htm India Meteorological Department]

{{Super Cyclonic Storms}}

[[Category:Tropical cyclones in India]]
[[Category:1990 disasters in India|Andhra Pradesh Cyclone, 1990]]
[[Category:Super cyclonic storms]]
[[Category:1990 North Indian Ocean cyclone season|Andhra Pradesh Cyclone, 1990]]
[[Category:1990s in Andhra Pradesh]]
[[Category:Disasters in Andhra Pradesh]]

1990 Andhra Pradesh cyclone - Revision history

ErinChamberlin3 at 16:52, 7 April 2026