Cyclone Sidr

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

Tropical cyclone

Subtropical cyclone

Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression

On November 9, an area of disturbed weather developed southeast of the Andaman Islands, with a weak low-level circulation near the Nicobar Islands. Initially moderate upper-level wind shear inhibited organization, while strong diffluence aloft aided in developing convection.[8] Vertical shear decreased greatly as the circulation became better defined, and a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert was issued on November 11 while located a short distance south of the Andaman Islands.[9] Around the same time, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) designated the system as Depression BOB 09.[10] The Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) upgraded it to Tropical Cyclone 06B after Dvorak estimates indicated winds of 65 km/h (40 mph).[11] Later that day, it intensified into a deep depression as it moved slowly north-westward.[12]

The IMD upgraded the system to Cyclonic Storm Sidr early on November 12.[13] The system then began to intensify quickly as it moved slowly northwestward, and the IMD upgraded it to a severe cyclonic storm later that day[14] and a very severe cyclonic storm early the next day.[15] On the morning of November 15, the cyclone intensified to reach peak winds of 215 km/h (135 mph) according to the IMD,[16] and a peak of 260 km/h (160 mph) according to the JTWC best track.[17] Sidr officially made landfall around 17:00 UTC later that day,[18] with sustained winds of 215 km/h (135 mph).[19] It weakened rapidly after landfall and the final advisories were issued early on November 16.[20]

Storm surge forecasted on November 14 by numerical model[21]

As it intensified to a Category 4-equivalent cyclone on November 15,[2] thousands of emergency officials were put on standby in eastern India and Bangladesh in advance of the storm's arrival. Forecast heights of the storm surge predicted by a numerical model developed by Dr. Hassan Mashriqui (Louisiana State University) was communicated to the emergency response authorities in Bangladesh,[21] prompting a massive evacuations of low-lying coastal areas.[22] A total of 2 million people in Bangladesh evacuated to emergency shelters.[23] The Indian Metrological Department (IMD) also issued a cyclone alert for Odisha and West Bengal on November 14. In Bangladesh, an emergency cabinet meeting decided to withdraw weekly leave for the government officials to join the evacuation process.[24] Over 40,000 Red Crescent volunteers were deployed to order residents in the 15 affected provinces into special cyclone and flood shelters.[23] The main ports had been closed.[25]

Cyclone Sidr making landfall in Bangladesh.

Coastal districts of Bangladesh faced heavy rainfall as an early impact of the cyclone. Dhaka and other parts of Bangladesh experienced drizzle and gusty winds.[24] Total losses reached 196.25 billion taka (US$2.31 billion).[26]

Storm surges reaching up to a height of 3 metres (9.8 ft) were reported in the coastal areas of north Chennai in southern state of Tamil Nadu in India, triggering panic among the fishing community.[27][28]

The damage in Bangladesh was extensive, including tin shacks flattened, houses and schools blown away and enormous tree damage. Some local officials have described the damage as being even worse than that from the 1991 cyclone.[29] The entire cities of Patuakhali, Barguna and Jhalokati District were hit hard by the storm surge of over 5 meters (16 ft).[30] About a quarter of the world heritage site Sunderbans were damaged. Researchers said mangrove forest Sunderban will take at least 40 years to recover itself from this catastrophe.[31] Much of the capital city of Dhaka was also severely affected, as electricity and water service were cut and significant damage was reported there due to winds and flooding.[32] The local agricultural industry was also devastated, as many rice crops — which have a December harvest — were lost.[33]

At least 3,447 deaths have been reported.[4] The hardest-hit area was Barguna, where 423 people were reported to have been killed, according to local officials. Patuakhali was also hard-hit, with 385 deaths reported.[32] Most of the deaths confirmed thus far were due to the winds, although 13 of them have been as a result of capsized boats in the Faridpur district of Bangladesh.[34] The head of the Red Crescent in Bangladesh expected the death toll to reach as high as 15,000.[35] Over 3,000 other fishermen were reported missing on over 500 fishing boats.[36] The maximum estimated death toll from Sidr in the densely populated region is over 15,000.[5]

People affected by the cyclone lining up for aid boats in Bangladesh

Map showing affected districts and disaster response.

Cyclone Sidr slammed the highly vulnerable low lying densely populated coastal areas of Bangladesh with heavy rain, winds of up to 190 km/h (120 mph), and a storm surge. Sidr may be the strongest cyclone to hit the country since a cyclone killed over 143,000 Bangladeshis in 1991. Although, the death from Sidr number in the thousands but damage to homes, crops and livelihoods could be extensive and were reportedly worst. Effective early warning, cyclone shelters and disaster relief measure implementations helped reduce the death toll.[37] Under a Cyclone Preparedness Program, volunteers evacuated at least 600,000 Bangladeshis in the path of the storm. Many are housed in 1,800 multipurpose disaster shelters built along the coast. Relief organizations distributed seven-day emergency disaster kits of food, blankets and clothing for evacuated families.

Since 1991, the donor community, including the US and EC, has supported disaster-preparedness to mitigate the impact of tropical storms and improve post-disaster relief and reconstruction. Cyclone walls planted within trees are in place to protect vulnerable areas from storm surges. Disaster shelters on stilts housing refugees plus early warning systems and timely evacuations appear to have greatly reduced the fatalities from Sidr. It killed around 15,000 people, the highest number since a cyclone killed nearly 140,000 in the region in 1991.[38][39]

With wind velocities of up to 260 km/h, Cyclone Sidr has been named one of the 10 strongest and deadliest cyclones to strike the region of Bangladesh between 1876 and 2010.[40]

• List of Bangladesh tropical cyclones
• List of tropical cyclone records
• List of North Indian cyclone seasons
• Geography of Bangladesh
• Timeline of the 2007 North Indian Ocean cyclone season
• 1970 Bhola cyclone – The deadliest cyclone ever recorded, following a similar path, also making landfall in November.
• Cyclone Gonu
• Cyclone Fani
• Cyclone Amphan
• Cyclone Mocha

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Cyclone Sidr.

• History of past cyclones in the Bay of Bengal (IMD)
• BBC article on Cyclone Sidr
• Automated Advanced Dvorak Technique estimate from UW-CIMSS
• Crisis profile Cyclone Sidr Archived February 20, 2009, at the Wayback Machine From Reuters Alertnet Archived March 11, 2009, at the Wayback Machine