 Vardah near peak intensity on 11 December | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| as Cyclone Vardah | |
| Formed | 6 December 2016 |
| Dissipated | 13 December 2016 |
| Very severe cyclonic storm | |
| 3-minute sustained (IMD) | |
| Highest winds | 130 km/h (80 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 975 hPa (mbar); 28.79 inHg |
| Category 2-equivalent tropical cyclone | |
| 1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC) | |
| Highest winds | 155 km/h (100 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 959 hPa (mbar); 28.32 inHg |
| Meteorological history | |
| as Depression ARB 02 | |
| Formed | 17 December 2016 |
| Remnant low | 18 December 2016 |
| Dissipated | 19 December 2016 |
| Tropical depression | |
| 3-minute sustained (IMD) | |
| Highest winds | 45 km/h (30 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 998 hPa (mbar); 29.47 inHg |
| Tropical storm | |
| 1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC) | |
| Highest winds | 65 km/h (40 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 996 hPa (mbar); 29.41 inHg |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 47 total |
| Damage | $3.38 billion (2016 USD) |
| Areas affected | Thailand, Sumatra, Malaysia, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Sri Lanka, South India, Somalia |
| IBTrACS | |
Part of the 2016 North Indian Ocean cyclone season | |
Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Vardah was the fourth cyclonic storm, as well as the most intense tropical cyclone of the 2016 North Indian Ocean cyclone season. The remnants of the system later regenerated into Depression ARB 02 in the Arabian Sea. The system struck the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, as well as South India, before later affecting Somalia.
Originating as a low-pressure area near the Malay Peninsula on 3 December, the storm was designated a depression on 6 December. It gradually intensified into a Deep Depression on the following day, skirting off the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and intensified into a Cyclonic Storm on 8 December. Maintaining a generally westward track thereafter, Vardah consolidated into a Severe Cyclonic Storm on 9 December, before peaking as a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm, with 3-minute sustained winds of 80 mph (130 km/h), and a minimum central pressure of 975 hPa (28.8 inHg), on 11 December. Weakening into a Severe Cyclonic Storm, Vardah made landfall close to Chennai on the following day, and degenerated into remnant low on 13 December.[1] However, on 14 December, the remnants of Vardah emerged into the Arabian Sea, before regenerating into Depression ARB 02 on 17 December. On 18 December, the system weakened back into a well-marked low while situated off the coast of Somalia, before moving ashore on the next day and dissipating.
The name Vardah, suggested by Pakistan, refers to the red rose.[2]
- ^ "Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Vardah over Bay of Benga" (PDF). India Meteorological Department. Archived (PDF) from the original on 29 March 2017.
- ^ Sanyal, Anindita. "Name Of Cyclone 'Vardah' Given By Pakistan, Means A 'Red Rose'". NDTV. Retrieved 12 December 2016.