 Akash on May 14 | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | May 12, 2007 |
| Dissipated | May 15, 2007 |
| Cyclonic storm | |
| 3-minute sustained (IMD) | |
| Highest winds | 85 km/h (50 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 988 hPa (mbar); 29.18 inHg |
| Category 1-equivalent tropical cyclone | |
| 1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC) | |
| Highest winds | 120 km/h (75 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 976 hPa (mbar); 28.82 inHg |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 14 direct |
| Damage | $982 million (2007 USD) |
| Areas affected | Andaman Islands, Nicobar Islands, Bangladesh, Burma |
| IBTrACS | |
Part of the 2007 North Indian Ocean cyclone season | |
Cyclonic Storm Akash (JTWC designation: 01B) was the first named tropical cyclone of the 2007 North Indian Ocean cyclone season. Warned by both India Meteorological Department (IMD) and Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC), it formed from an area of disturbed weather on the Bay of Bengal on May 12, and gradually organized as it drifted northward. An eye began to develop as it approached land, and after reaching peak 3-min sustained winds of 85 km/h (55 mph) it struck about 115 km (71 mi) south of Chittagong in Bangladesh. Akash rapidly weakened over land, and advisories were discontinued on May 15.
The storm initially brought heavy rainfall to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Upon striking Bangladesh, Cyclonic Storm Akash produced a moderate storm tide, along with strong winds and heavy rains. The storm left dozens of boats missing, with three fisherman confirmed killed and another 50 missing. Near the coast, thousands of houses were damaged from the flooding caused by the storm. In Burma, its storm tide caused some coastal flooding. In all, 14 people were killed and damages amounted to US$982 million.