1992 North Indian Ocean cyclone season

1992 North Indian Ocean cyclone season
Season summary map
Seasonal boundaries
First system formedMay 16, 1992
Last system dissipatedDecember 24, 1992
Strongest storm
NameForrest
 • Maximum winds185 km/h (115 mph)
(3-minute sustained)
 • Lowest pressure952 hPa (mbar)
Seasonal statistics
Depressions13
Deep depressions11
Cyclonic storms7
Severe cyclonic storms2
Very severe cyclonic storms1
Extremely severe cyclonic storms1
Super cyclonic storms0
Total fatalities400–949 total
Total damageAt least $69 million (1992 USD)
Related articles
North Indian Ocean tropical cyclone seasons
1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994

The 1992 North Indian Ocean cyclone season was unofficially the most active year on record for the basin, with 10 tropical storms developing, according to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC).[1] There are two main seas in the North Indian Ocean – the Bay of Bengal to the east of the Indian subcontinent – and the Arabian Sea to the west of India. The official Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre in this basin is the India Meteorological Department (IMD), while the JTWC releases unofficial advisories. An average of four to six storms form in the North Indian Ocean every season with peaks in May and November.[2] Cyclones occurring between the meridians 45°E and 100°E are included in the season by the IMD.[3]

Overall, there was a total of 12 depressions, of which 7 became cyclonic storms, and 1 further strengthened to a very severe cyclonic storm.[4] These totals were slightly above the long-term average of 5.4 cyclonic storms for the basin.[5] In contrast to this, the JTWC reported record-breaking activity with 13 tropical cyclones, 11 of which became tropical storms. This included record activity in the months of October and November, each having three storms, while July saw its first system on record.[1] The first storm of the year was Cyclonic Storm BOB 01 which formed on May 16 while the last was Deep Depression ARB 04 which dissipated over Somalia on December 24. The most intense was Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Forrest, which attained peak three-minute sustained winds of 185 km/h (115 mph).[4] Severe Cyclonic Storm BOB 07 proved to be the deadliest and most destructive of the year, claiming 263–423 lives across southern India and leaving $69 million in damage. Collectively, the season's storms killed at least 400 people and left another 549 missing.

  1. ^ a b "North Indian Ocean Tropical Cyclones" (PDF). Annual Tropical Cyclone Report. Joint Typhoon Warning Center (Report). United states Navy. 1993. pp. 155–157. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 28, 2012. Retrieved May 28, 2014.
  2. ^ Staff Writer. IMD Cyclone Warning Services: Tropical Cyclones (Report). India Meteorological Department. Archived from the original on 4 November 2008. Retrieved May 28, 2014.
  3. ^ Report on Cyclonic Disturbances Over the North Indian During 2008 (Report). India Meteorological Department. January 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 29, 2009. Retrieved May 28, 2014.
  4. ^ a b "IMD Best track data 1982-2022" (xls). India Meteorological Department. A guide on how to read the database is available here.
  5. ^ "What are the average, most, and least tropical cyclones occurring in this basin?". Frequently Asked Questions on Tropical Cyclones (Report). India Meteorological Department. Archived from the original on May 21, 2015. Retrieved May 28, 2014.