| 2001 North Indian Ocean cyclone season | |
|---|---|
 Season summary map | |
| Seasonal boundaries | |
| First system formed | May 21, 2001 |
| Last system dissipated | November 12, 2001 (January 1, 2002 per JTWC) |
| Strongest storm | |
| Name | ARB 01 |
| • Maximum winds | 215 km/h (130 mph) (3-minute sustained) |
| • Lowest pressure | 932 hPa (mbar) |
| Seasonal statistics | |
| Depressions | 6, 1 unofficial |
| Deep depressions | 4, 1 unofficial |
| Cyclonic storms | 4, 1 unofficial |
| Severe cyclonic storms | 1 |
| Very severe cyclonic storms | 1 |
| Extremely severe cyclonic storms | 1 |
| Total fatalities | 273 total |
| Total damage | $104 million (2001 USD) |
| Related articles | |
The 2001 North Indian Ocean cyclone season was fairly quiet, although activity was evenly spread between the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. There were six depressions tracked by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), which is the official Regional Specialized Meteorological Center for the northern Indian Ocean. The agency also tracked four cyclonic storms, which have maximum winds of at least 65 km/h (40 mph) sustained over 3 minutes. The American-based Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) tracked an additional storm – Tropical Storm Vamei – which crossed over from the South China Sea at a record-low latitude.
The first storm originated on May 21, and became the strongest recorded storm in the Arabian Sea at the time. The IMD estimated peak 3 minute winds of 215 km/h (135 mph) while the storm was off the west coast of India. The storm weakened greatly before making landfall in Gujarat, and although impact on land was minor, it left up to 950 fishermen missing. A few weeks later, the first Bay of Bengal system originated – a short-lived depression that dropped heavy rainfall upon striking Odisha. After a period of inactivity during the monsoon season,[1] there were cyclonic storms in September and October in the northern Arabian Sea. Both lasted only a few days and dissipated due to unfavorable wind shear. Another cyclonic storm formed in the Bay of Bengal and struck Andhra Pradesh, which dropped heavy rainfall that was equivalent to 300% of the average October precipitation total. The rains caused flooding, particularly in Cuddapah, where a dam was deliberately opened and inundated the town overnight. There were 153 deaths due to the storm and RS5 billion (Indian rupees, US$104 million) in damage. The final storm of the season tracked by the IMD was a short-lived depression in November in the Bay of Bengal.