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{{Short description|Category 1 North Indian tropical cyclone in 1995}}
{{good article}}
{{infobox weather event
| image = 03B 1995-11-09 0200Z.png
| caption = Satellite image of the storm near landfall
| formed = November 7, 1995
| dissipated = November 11, 1995
}}{{infobox weather event/IMD
| winds = 65
| pressure = 978
}}{{infobox weather event/JTWC
| winds = 70
| pressure =
}}{{infobox weather event/Effects
| year = 1995
| fatalities = 236 overall
| damage = 46300000
| areas = [[India]], [[Bangladesh]], [[Nepal]]
| refs =
}}{{infobox weather event/Footer
| season = [[1995 North Indian Ocean cyclone season]]
}}
The '''1995 India cyclone''' was a [[tropical cyclone]] that struck southeastern India which later spawned a rare snowstorm in [[Nepal]], triggering the deadliest [[Backpacking (hiking)|mountain trekking]] incident in the country's history in November 1995. The storm originated from the [[monsoon trough]] on November 7 in the [[Bay of Bengal]], east of India, becoming the penultimate storm of the [[1995 North Indian Ocean cyclone season]]. Moving northwestward, the system gradually intensified while moving toward land, eventually developing an [[eye (cyclone)|eye]] in the middle of the [[convection (meteorology)|convection]]. Reaching peak [[maximum sustained wind|winds]] of at least {{convert|120|km/h|mph|abbr=on|round=5}}, the [[India Meteorological Department]] (IMD) classified the system as a very severe cyclonic storm on November 8,{{refn|The [[India Meteorological Department]] is the official [[Regional Specialized Meteorological Center]] for the northern Indian Ocean.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=India Meteorological Department |title=Regional Specialised Meteorological Centre (RSMC) – Tropical Cyclones, New Delhi |access-date=2015-04-24 |url=http://www.imd.gov.in/section/nhac/dynamic/rsmcobmission.pdf |author=RSMC New Delhi |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120412152908/http://www.imd.gov.in/section/nhac/dynamic/rsmcobmission.pdf |archive-date=2012-04-12 }}</ref>|group="nb"}} in line with intensity estimates from the American-based [[Joint Typhoon Warning Center]] (JTWC).{{refn|The [[Joint Typhoon Warning Center]] is a joint United States Navy – United States Air Force task force that issues tropical cyclone warnings for the northern Indian Ocean and other regions.<ref>{{cite web|author=Joint Typhoon Warning Center|title=Joint Typhoon Warning Center Mission Statement|year=2011|access-date=2011-11-30|url=https://metocph.nmci.navy.mil/jtwc/menu/JTWC_mission.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070726103400/https://metocph.nmci.navy.mil/jtwc/menu/JTWC_mission.html|archive-date=2007-07-26|publisher=United States Navy, United States Airforce}}</ref>|group="nb"}} On November 9, the cyclone made [[landfall]] near the border of [[Andhra Pradesh]] and [[Orissa, India|Orissa]]. A typical for most November storms, the system continued to the north and dissipated over Nepal on November 11.

In India, the cyclone's strong winds were accompanied by heavy rainfall and a [[storm surge]] of {{convert|1.5|m|ft|abbr=on}} that inundated the coastline several hundred feet inland. Power lines, crops, and houses were damaged, and many boats were damaged, causing several nautical fatalities. The cyclone killed at least 128 people in India, with hundreds remaining unaccounted for, and damage was estimated at [[Indian rupee|RS$]]1.1 billion (US$32.2 million). In neighboring Bangladesh, high waves killed 45 people after sinking or sweeping away four ships. The cyclone later spawned a rare November snowstorm across eastern Nepal, with depths reaching {{convert|2000|mm|in|abbr=on}}. The snowfall occurred without warning amid the busy mountain trekking season, and there were several avalanches and landslides across the country. One such incident killed 24 people at a lodge near [[Gokyo]], and there were 63 deaths related to the cyclone in the country. The Nepal government launched the largest search and rescue mission in the country's history, rescuing 450 people, some of whom trapped for days in the snow.

==Meteorological history==
{{storm path|Cyclone 03B 1995 track.png}}
In early November 1995, the [[monsoon trough]] was active across the [[Bay of Bengal]], with several associated circulations. A disturbance near the [[Andaman Islands]] became the focus of the overall system on November 6. Located south of the [[subtropical ridge]], the system moved to the west-northwest.<ref name="bom">{{cite periodical |page=2|author=Darwin Regional Specialised Meteorological Centre|publisher=Bureau of Meteorology|volume=14|number=11|date=November 1995|title=Tropical Cyclones |periodical=Darwin Tropical Diagnostic Statement|access-date=2015-11-29|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/ntregion/statements/tropical/dtds-199511.pdf}}</ref> Based on the improved organization, the JTWC issued a [[Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert]] late on November 6, and at 00:00 UTC the next day initiated advisories on Tropical Cyclone 03B just west of the Andaman Islands.<ref name="atcr">{{cite web|author=Eric J. Trehubenko|author2=Charles P. Guard|author3=Gary B. Kubat|author4=William J. Carle|publisher=Joint Typhoon Warning Center|date=1997|title=1996 Annual Tropical Cyclone Report |access-date=2015-11-24|url=http://www.usno.navy.mil/NOOC/nmfc-ph/RSS/jtwc/atcr/1995atcr.pdf|pages=214–238|location=Hagåtña, Guam|archive-date=2011-06-07|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607040153/http://www.usno.navy.mil/NOOC/nmfc-ph/RSS/jtwc/atcr/1995atcr/pdf/wnp/19w.pdf}}</ref> Six hours later, the IMD likewise classified the system as a depression.<ref name="imd">{{cite web|publisher=India Meteorological Department|date=January 1996|title=Report on cyclonic disturbances over north Indian Ocean during 1995|access-date=2015-11-23|url=http://www.rsmcnewdelhi.imd.gov.in/images/pdf/archive/rsmc/1995.pdf}}</ref>

After development, the depression steadily intensified while moving through the Bay of Bengal; rounding the ridge, it accelerated and turned more to the northwest. The IMD upgraded the system to a deep depression by 12:00 UTC on November 7, and further to a cyclonic storm by 00:00 UTC on the following day. The [[convection (meteorology)|convection]], or thunderstorms, organized into a comma-like structure, which further evolved into a [[central dense overcast]].<ref name="imd"/> Intensification was also aided by increased upper-level [[divergence]] or the increased upward movement of air.<ref name="bom"/> At 09:00 UTC on November 8, the IMD upgraded the system to a severe cyclonic storm, and six hours later to a very severe cyclonic storm. By that time, an [[eye (cyclone)|eye]] had developed, described by the IMD as a "[[Rainband|banding]]-type eye". As such, the agency estimated peak 3 minutes [[maximum sustained wind|sustained winds]] of {{convert|120|km/h|mph|abbr=on|round=5}}. The minimum [[atmospheric pressure|barometric pressure]] was estimated at {{convert|978|mbar|inHg|abbr=on}}.<ref name="imd"/> The JTWC estimated slightly higher 1-minute winds of {{convert|130|km/h|mph|abbr=on|round=5}}.<ref name="atcr"/>

Around 05:00 UTC on November 9, the cyclone made [[landfall]] at peak intensity in eastern India, near the state borders of [[Andhra Pradesh]] and [[Odisha]], and close to the city of [[Ichchapuram]]. Although the IMD officially estimated peak winds of {{convert|120|km/h|mph|abbr=on|round=5}}, winds could have been as high as {{convert|150|km/h|mph|abbr=on|round=5}}, based on the damage and estimates from the [[Dvorak technique]]. After moving ashore, the storm turned more to the north and rapidly weakened over land.<ref name="imd"/> By 12:00 UTC on November 9, the JTWC discontinued advisories.<ref name="atcr"/> The storm weakened into a depression over the northern [[Bihar]] state early on November 10. On the next day, the system degenerated into a remnant low,<ref name="imd"/> by which time the system had turned to the northeast and spread into [[Nepal]]. The circulation dissipated, although moisture and convection from the storm spread through Nepal.<ref name="atcr"/>

==Impact==
{{Location map
| Nepal
| caption = Location in Nepal where avalanche occurred
| label = Gokyo
| lat_deg = 27
| lat_min = 57
| lat_sec = 16
| lat_dir = N
| lon_deg = 86
| lon_min = 41
| lon_sec = 43
| lon_dir = E
}}
Moving ashore eastern India, the cyclone brought strong winds, with a peak gust of {{convert|115|km/h|mph|abbr=on|round=5}} at the [[Visakhapatnam Airport]], well southwest of the landfall location. Winds in [[Gopalpur, Odisha]] were estimated at {{convert|130|km/h|mph|abbr=on|round=5}}. The lowest [[atmospheric pressure|barometric pressure]] in India was {{convert|982.1|mbar|inHg|abbr=on}} in [[Kalingapatnam]]. The storm produced a [[storm surge]] of {{convert|1.5|m|ft|abbr=on}}, which spread several hundred feet inland. In addition to the winds and surge, the cyclone dropped heavy rainfall along its path, particularly in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, peaking at over 200 mm (8 in).<ref name="imd"/>

Along the Indian coast from Andhra Pradesh to [[West Bengal]], 2,688 boats were damaged, accounting for 48 fishermen deaths in Visakhapatnam alone.<ref name="imd"/> An [[Indian Coast Guard]] ship was washed ashore near [[Bhubaneswar]], trapping the crew inside until they were rescued.<ref name="afp119">{{cite news|agency=Agence France-Presse|date=1995-11-09|title=Ship runs aground as cyclone slams India's east}}{{subscription required|via=Lexis Nexis}}</ref> In Andhra Pradesh, the high winds damaged {{convert|21|km|mi|abbr=on}} of power lines, affecting 12,733 electrical units. The storm damaged 27,945 houses, mostly in Orissa.<ref name="imd"/> In the state, the storm's high winds and rainfall wrecked stalls for a festival in [[Paradip]], and raining out two days play of a [[New Zealand cricket team in India in 1995–96|Test cricket match]] in [[Cuttack]] between [[India national cricket team|India]] and [[New Zealand national cricket team|New Zealand]].<ref>{{cite news|title=New Zealand tour of India, 3rd Test: India v New Zealand at Cuttack, Nov 8-12, 1995|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/63696.html|work=[[ESPNcricinfo]]|access-date=4 December 2016}}</ref><ref name="afp119"/> There was also widespread crop damage on {{convert|11043653|ha|acre|abbr=on}} of crop fields. In West Bengal, paddy crops, mustard trees, and potatoes were damaged. Throughout India, the cyclone killed 73 people, with 402 people missing after the storm.<ref name="imd"/> The International Disaster Database indicated that the storm killed 128 people and caused US$46.3 million in damage.{{EM-DAT}}

Farther east, officials in Bangladesh evacuated residents along offshore islands, while boats were ordered to return to the coast.<ref>{{cite web|date=1995-11-09|agency=United Nations Department of Humanitarian Affairs|publisher=ReliefWeb|title=Bangladesh – Cyclone Information Report No.1|access-date=2015-12-01|url=https://reliefweb.int/report/bangladesh/bangladesh-cyclone-information-report-no1}}</ref> The storm ultimately produced {{convert|60|to|80|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} winds along with heavy rainfall in the country.<ref>{{cite web|date=1995-11-10|agency=United Nations Department of Humanitarian Affairs|publisher=ReliefWeb|title=Bangladesh – Cyclone Information Report No. 2|access-date=2015-12-01|url=https://reliefweb.int/report/bangladesh/bangladesh-cyclone-information-report-no2}}</ref> High seas, reaching {{convert|18|ft|m|abbr=on|order=flip}} in height, capsized a boat in the Chunkuri River and left three other boats missing, killing 45 people.<ref>{{cite news|agency=United Press International|date=1995-05-10|title=Bangladesh floods}}{{subscription required|via=Lexis Nexis}}</ref> The waves also flooded about {{convert|3000|ha|acre|abbr=on}} of crop fields.<ref name="dart">{{cite web|title=1995 Flood Archive|publisher=Dartmouth College|access-date=2015-01-01|url=http://www.dartmouth.edu/~floods/Archives/1995sum.htm}}</ref>

Atypical for November, the storm continued northward and became the most intense cyclone to affect Nepal in the autumn in 50 years. The country's Department of Meteorology did not issue warnings for the storm,<ref name="arc"/> as no [[Backpacking (wilderness)|mountain trekking]] teams requested a forecast.<ref name="afp"/> As a result, many mountain climbers and guides were caught off guard,<ref name="gopal"/> and thousands of mountaineers from around the world were in the region when the cyclone struck.<ref name="afp"/> When the energy from the storm spread into the [[Himalayan Mountains]] of Nepal,<ref name="atcr"/> a process known as [[orographic lift]] occurred, whereby the moisture coalesced in mountainous regions. At elevations generally below {{convert|3500|m|ft|abbr=on}}, the precipitation resulted in {{convert|50|to|200|mm|in|abbr=on}} of rainfall, reaching {{convert|220|mm|in|abbr=on}} in [[Dhankuta]]. In some areas, totals were 3,000% of the average November rainfall, which is usually a dry month.<ref name="arc"/> At higher elevations, the precipitation caused intense snowfall, reaching up to {{convert|2000|mm|in|abbr=on}} deep in [[Dingboche]].<ref name="arc"/> [[Gorakshep]] recorded {{convert|1200|mm|in|abbr=on}} of snowfall.<ref name="jp"/> The [[Khumbu]] region of eastern Nepal received rare snowfall, as it is normally part of a [[rain shadow]]. The village of [[Thame, Nepal|Thame]] was buried for eight days until people could travel freely again; the rarity of the snowfall meant that residents did not have skis or snow shoes. By November 14, or five days after the arrival of the storm, the snow had receded.<ref name="arc">{{cite conference |title=Storms and Avalanches of November 1995, Khumbu Himal, Nepal |author=Richard Kattelmann |author2=Tomomi Yamada|year=1997 |conference=Proceedings International Snow Science Workshop|url=http://arc.lib.montana.edu/snow-science/objects/issw-1996-276-278.pdf|access-date=2015-11-30}}</ref>

The heavy snowfall across Nepal produced landslides and avalanches,<ref name="atcr"/> mostly on November 10 and into the following day. Near [[Gokyo]], two avalanches combined and destroyed a lodge housing 25 mountain climbers, killing all but one; the survivor was rescued after being trapped for 40 hours.<ref name="arc"/> The hikers were climbing [[Gokyo Ri]], a mountain {{convert|11|mi|km|abbr=on|order=flip}} southeast of [[Mount Everest]].<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=Savannah Morning News|agency=Associated Press|date=1995-11-12|title=26 feared dead following avalanche in Nepal|access-date=2015-12-01|url=http://archives.savannahnow.com/sav_pdf_archive/text/fr529/A_2400146.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222082004/http://archives.savannahnow.com/sav_pdf_archive/text/fr529/A_2400146.pdf|archive-date=2015-12-22}}</ref> This marked the deadliest avalanche in Nepal to affect a hiking expedition.<ref name="lat">{{cite news|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=1995-11-12|agency=Reuters|title=Avalanche Near Mt. Everest Kills 26 at Trek Camp|access-date=2015-12-01|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-11-12-mn-2389-story.html}}</ref> Another avalanche killed seven people in [[Kangchenjunga]].<ref name="arc"/> With levels reaching as high as the roofs of houses,<ref name="lat"/> the heavy snowfall damaged the roofs of several buildings, including one school, and killed about 100 animals. Across the country, the storm killed 63 people, 33 of them related to avalanches,<ref name="arc"/> including 22 foreigners,<ref name="jp"/> although the Trekking Workers' Association believed the death toll was higher.<ref name="arc"/> Several of the deaths were the result of collapsed houses,<ref name="gopal">{{cite news|author=Gopal Sharma|agency=Reuters|date=1995-11-13|title=Trekkers evacuated after Nepal avalanche|access-date=2015-12-01|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1241&dat=19951113&id=R0ZTAAAAIBAJ&sjid=UIYDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4667,3873684&hl=en}}</ref> while others were the result of people freezing to death.<ref name="jp">{{cite journal|author=Tomomi Yamada|author2=Hiroji Fushimi|author3=R. Aryal|author4=Tsutomu Kadota|author5=Kouji Fujita|author6=Katsumoto Seko|author7=Tetsuzo Yasunari|title=Report of avalanche accident at Pangka in 1995, Khumbu region, Nepal|journal=Journal of the Japanese Society of Snow and Ice|volume=58|year=1996|number=2|page=145|access-date=2015-12-01|url=https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/seppyo1941/58/2/58_2_145/_pdf|language=Japanese|doi=10.5331/seppyo.58.145|doi-access=free}}</ref> The [[Tengboche Monastery#Mani Rimdu Festival|Mani Rimdu festival]] likely prevented additional deaths, as over 1,000 residents in the hardest hit areas left for the ceremony. After the snowfall, the Nepal government coordinated the largest search and rescue mission in the country's history, utilizing helicopters to rescue 450 stranded people,<ref name="arc"/> encompassing an area of {{convert|600|km2|mi2|abbr=on}}, before the mission was ended on November 15.<ref name="afp">{{cite news|author=Gary Borg|agency=Agence France-Presse|title=Nepalese authorities call off avalanche rescue despite reports of missing|date=1995-11-15|access-date=2015-12-01|url=http://www.thenepaldigest.org/archive/the-nepal-digest-november-23-1995.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304075558/http://www.thenepaldigest.org/archive/the-nepal-digest-november-23-1995.html|archive-date=2016-03-04}}</ref> Several of the rescued people required medical attention.<ref name="arc"/> Stranded victims had to stay in the snow for a day and a half before being spotted and rescued,<ref>{{Cite news|location=Bryan, Ohio|date=1995-11-15|agency=Associated Press|title=Avalanche, landslide survivors are returning to Nepal's capital|access-date=2015-12-01|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=799&dat=19951115&id=3ZNTAAAAIBAJ&sjid=v4cDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6195,686516&hl=en}}</ref> and inclement weather disrupted efforts.<ref name="gopal"/>

==See also==
{{Portal|Tropical cyclones}}
* [[Cyclone Hudhud]] – powerful cyclone in 2014 that also spawned snowfall and deadly avalanches in Nepal

==Notes==
{{Reflist|group=nb}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

[[Category:1995 North Indian Ocean cyclone season]]
[[Category:Tropical cyclones in India]]
[[Category:Very severe cyclonic storms]]
[[Category:Tropical cyclones in Nepal]]
[[Category:1995 in Nepal]]

1995 India cyclone - Revision history

Swap72 at 07:09, 20 November 2025