 Satellite image of the storm prior to landfall in India on 6 November | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 4 November 1996 |
| Dissipated | 7 November 1996 |
| Very severe cyclonic storm | |
| 3-minute sustained (IMD) | |
| Highest winds | 145 km/h (90 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 988 hPa (mbar); 29.18 inHg |
| Category 4-equivalent tropical cyclone | |
| 1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC) | |
| Highest winds | 215 km/h (130 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 927 hPa (mbar); 27.37 inHg |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 1,077 total |
| Damage | $602 million (1996 USD) |
| Areas affected | India (especially Andhra Pradesh) |
Part of the 1996 North Indian Ocean cyclone season | |
The 1996 Andhra Pradesh cyclone (also known as Cyclone 07B) was a small but powerful storm that left heavy damage in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It formed on 4 November in the eastern Bay of Bengal. Moving westward, it quickly organized and developed a well-defined eye. On 6 November, the cyclone struck about 50 km (31 mi) south of Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh at peak intensity. The India Meteorological Department estimated peak winds of 145 km/h (90 mph),[nb 1] while the American-based Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) assessed peak winds of 215 km/h (135 mph).[nb 2] Soon after landfall, the cyclone weakened and dissipated by 7 November.
Ahead of the storm, about 225,000 families evacuated, although many towns lacked proper storm shelters. When the cyclone made landfall, it produced strong winds up to 100 km (62 mi) inland, dropped 210 mm (8.3 in) of rainfall across a 40 km (25 mi) region, and flooded over 250 villages along a 60 km (37 mi) portion of the coast. About 70% of the overall damage was in East Godavari district, where two villages were entirely destroyed. The storm destroyed 241,802 ha (597,510 acres) of crops and killed millions of cattle and chicken. Across Andhra Pradesh, the storm damaged 647,554 houses, including over 10,000 that were destroyed. Overall damage totaled ₹21.5 billion (equivalent to ₹120 billion or US$1.4 billion in 2023), comparable to a cyclone in 1977 that also hit Andhra Pradesh. There were 1,077 confirmed deaths with many others missing, although many of the dead were washed into the sea and were unlikely to be found. After the storm, the government and local Red Cross chapters helped residents recover from the damage, while the World Bank provided money to better prepare Andhra Pradesh for future storms.
- ^ RSMC New Delhi. Regional Specialised Meteorological Centre (RSMC) – Tropical Cyclones, New Delhi (PDF) (Report). India Meteorological Department. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 April 2012. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
- ^ Joint Typhoon Warning Center (2011). "Joint Typhoon Warning Center Mission Statement". United States Navy, United States Airforce. Archived from the original on 26 July 2007. Retrieved 30 November 2011.
Cite error: There are <ref group=nb> tags on this page, but the references will not show without a {{reflist|group=nb}} template (see the help page).