Deep Depression ARB 02 (2015)

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.

Deep Depression ARB 02
A satellite image shows a deep depression with a small central dense overcast, and moved towards the Gujarati coast.
ARB 02 approaching the Gujarati coast on 23 June
Meteorological history
Formed22 June 2015
Dissipated24 June 2015
Deep depression
3-minute sustained (IMD)
Highest winds55 km/h (35 mph)
Lowest pressure988 hPa (mbar); 29.18 inHg
Overall effects
Fatalities81
Damage$260 million (2015 USD)
(Government estimate[1])
Areas affectedWest India (particularly Gujarat)
IBTrACS
Part 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.[2][3] 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.[4][5] The Gujarat government estimated damage at ₹16.5 billion (US$258 million); however, Congress MLA Paresh Dhanani claimed damage to be as high as ₹70 billion (US$1.09 billion).[6]

Meteorological history
Map plotting the storm's track and intensity, according to the Saffir–Simpson scale
Map key
Saffir–Simpson scale
  Tropical depression (≤38 mph, ≤62 km/h)
  Tropical storm (39–73 mph, 63–118 km/h)
  Category 1 (74–95 mph, 119–153 km/h)
  Category 2 (96–110 mph, 154–177 km/h)
  Category 3 (111–129 mph, 178–208 km/h)
  Category 4 (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h)
  Category 5 (≥157 mph, ≥252 km/h)
  Unknown
Storm type
triangle Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression

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.[7] Deep convection persisted to the west of the system while the circulation continued to develop over the next 24 hours,[8] and the IMD started tracking it as a depression, with the identifier ARB 02.[9] ARB 02 continued to develop and by the night of 22 June, the JTWC issued a TCFA on the system, while it was 285 nmi (528 km; 328 mi) west-northwest of Mumbai.[10]

Impact
Flood affected areas of Amreli district on 24 June 2015

There were heavy rains on 23 and 24 June 2015 across Gujarat.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.[11][12]

Torrential rains battered Gujarat, with peak accumulations of 636 mm (25.0 in) in Bagasara, 511 mm (20.1 in) in Dhari, and 400 mm (16 in) in Variyav. Severe flooding ensued across the region, isolating many villages in the Saurashtra region.[13]

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.[14] In Rajkot district, more than 1700 houses sustained damage. Jetpur town was flooded as the floodgates of Bhadar dam were opened.[15]

There was severe damage to crops and a large number of cattle died. The flood and heavy rain resulted in 81 deaths across Gujarat.[16] The preliminary damage estimated by the government were at ₹1650 crore (US$260 million), but The Indian Express estimated the damage at ₹7000 crore (US$1.1 billion), much higher than the government's estimation.[1] However, Congress MLA Paresh Dhanani claimed damage to be as high as ₹70 billion (US$1.09 billion).[6]

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.[17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24]

A total of 112,217 farmers suffered major or minor damages, while 134,007 hectares of land were eroded.[25]

Aftermath
People being rescued by Indian Air Force helicopter

The state government deployed the Indian Air Force (IAF) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) for rescue and relief operation.[26] On 25 June 2015, IAF helicopters delivered more than 200,000 food packets to villages affected by the flood.[14] 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.[15]

The Government of Gujarat announced a ₹300 crore relief package which included ₹150 crore from the National Calamity Relief Fund.[1][25]

Another flood affected Gujarat a month after this storm.

See also

References
  1. "Flash flood: Govt announces Rs 300-crore relief package". The Indian Express. 15 July 2015. Retrieved 2 August 2015.
  2. "Gujarat death toll touches 80, four lakh ex gratia for kin". Ahmedabad, India: Hinudstan Times. 27 June 2015. Archived from the original on 28 June 2015. Retrieved 27 June 2015.
  3. Devi, S. Sunitha; Kundale, A. P. (July 2016). "Cyclones and depressions over the north Indian Ocean during 2015" (PDF). Mausam. India Meteorological Department. 67 (3): 537–538. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 November 2019.
  4. Mahesh Langa (28 June 2015). "Gujarat floods kill 7 lions, more than a dozen still missing". Hindustan Times. Ahmedabad, India. Archived from the original on 28 June 2015. Retrieved 28 June 2015.
  5. "Rains Kill Four More Lions in Gujarat, Toll Climbs to 9". The New Indian Express. Ahmedabad, India. Press Trust of India. 28 June 2015. Retrieved 28 June 2015.
  6. "Flash flood: Govt announces Rs 300-crore relief package". The Indian Express. 15 July 2015. Retrieved 2 August 2015.
  7. "Special Tropical Weather Outlook – 21/0600z". USNO. Archived from the original on 22 June 2015. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  8. "Special Tropical Weather Outlook – 22/0600z". USNO. Archived from the original on 22 June 2015. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  9. "Tropical Weather Outlook – 22/0600z" (PDF). India Meteorological Department. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 August 2016. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  10. "Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert – 22/2100z". Joint Typhoon Warning Center. Archived from the original on 23 June 2015. Retrieved 23 June 2015.
  11. DeshGujarat (24 June 2015). "Saurashtra completes 66% of average monsoon season's rain, Gujarat 34%". DeshGujarat. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
  12. DeshGujarat (24 June 2015). "Quick updates in brief on Gujarat flood". DeshGujarat. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
  13. "Flood-like situation in Gujarat due to heavy rains; 34 dead". Ahmedabad, India: News Nation. Press Trust of India. 24 June 2015. Retrieved 24 June 2015.
  14. TNN (26 June 2015). "Gujarat's Amreli battles worst flood in 90 years". The Times of India. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
  15. India (26 June 2015). "Gujarat flooding: 70 dead, thousands cut off as Saurashtra is hit by heavy rains". The Indian Express. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
  16. Stevenson, Chris (26 June 2015). "Indian monsoon rains kill 81 and leave over 9,000 stranded". The Independent. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
  17. "10 Lions, About 90 Spotted Deer Killed in Flash Floods in Gujarat". NDTV.com. 12 July 2015. Retrieved 2 August 2015.
  18. "5 Lions Found Dead in Gujarat After Heavy Rain Leads to Flooding". NDTV. 26 June 2015. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
  19. Parmar, Vijaysinh (26 June 2015). "Four lions found dead in flood waters in Gujarat". The Times of India. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
  20. "Heavy rains take a toll of five Asiatic lions in Gujarat". India TV News. 26 June 2015. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
  21. "Gujarat flash floods kill eight lions, other animals : Mail Today, News". India Today. 28 June 2015. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
  22. Mahesh Langa (28 June 2015). "Gujarat floods kill 7 lions, more than a dozen still missing". Hindustan Times. Ahmedabad, India. Archived from the original on 28 June 2015. Retrieved 28 June 2015.
  23. "Rains Kill Four More Lions in Gujarat, Toll Climbs to 9". The New Indian Express. Ahmedabad, India. Press Trust of India. 28 June 2015. Retrieved 28 June 2015.
  24. Analysis, Daily News & (11 July 2015). "Gujarat floods take huge toll on lion prey, 1670 nilgai and 80 deers dead". dna. Retrieved 2 August 2015.
  25. "Rs 300cr relief package for Amreli, other flood-hit areas". The Times of India. 15 July 2015. Retrieved 2 August 2015.
  26. "Monsoon rain 24% excess so far, 60 die in Gujarat floods". www.hindustantimes.com/. 26 June 2015. Archived from the original on 26 June 2015. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
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