India's coastlines form a vulnerable cyclone zone where storms strike annually. Despite warnings from ISRO and meteorological departments saving countless lives, destruction remains inevitable. Torrential rains and towering sea waves flood coastlines, while fierce winds uproot trees and tear down roofs and electric poles.
This year, four cyclones – Remal, Asna, Dana, and Fengal – lashed the country, unleashing significant destruction. Let’s dive into the seasonal dynamics. In 2024, the cyclone season began on May 24. Of the four cyclones, Remal was the fiercest, unleashing winds at 110 km/h.
In total, the season saw 11 depressions, 7 deep depressions, and the four cyclones, two of which were severe. Overall, 278 lives were lost and damage exceeded 5,334 crore rupees. Let's explore these cyclones in detail...
Source: aajtak
On May 21, 2024, the meteorological department spotted a cyclonic system brewing over the Bay of Bengal. By May 24, it escalated into a severe cyclone lasting until May 28. Its journey began near southern India, sweeping towards the northeastern states, perpetuated by the warm Bay of Bengal and calm winds, with gales reaching 110 km/h.
Tracking the cyclone’s powerful trajectory over days was a fierce testament to nature's might, spreading chaos and fear as it roamed across regions.
Unleashing havoc from August 24 to September 3, 2024, this cyclone propelled winds at 75 km/h. Formed over Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, it brought heavy rains as it moved westward towards the Arabian Sea, causing unexpected flooding in Gujarat, devastating Vadodara and Ahmedabad with up to 10 inches of rain in a single day, claiming 49 lives and causing over 254 crore rupees in damages.
Source: aajtak
Unlike typical oceanic origins, this storm’s terrestrial inception added an extraordinary chapter to Gujarat’s storied encounters with severe weather.
Source: aajtak
Scouted on October 20 over the Bay of Bengal, this storm rapidly intensified over two days, unleashing 110 km/h winds from October 22 to 26. It drenched Odisha and West Bengal before dissipating.
Swiftly escalating on October 22, Dana’s arrival as a severe cyclone marked a pivotal moment in the atmospheric theater, showcasing nature's unpredictable temperament.
Source: aajtak
Observations on November 14 near Sumatra noted a developing pressure system, soon transforming into Cyclone Fengal. Stirring from November 25 to December 2, 85 km/h winds swept through Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Sri Lanka before the storm dissipated over the Arabian Sea.
The storm carved an extraordinary path from origin in the Bay of Bengal, traversing the subcontinent to the Arabian Sea, illustrating the cyclonic ventures across the region.
