 Cyclone Onil off the coast of Pakistan on October 2 | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | September 30, 2004 |
| Remnant low | October 10 |
| Dissipated | October 3, 2004 |
| Severe cyclonic storm | |
| 3-minute sustained (IMD) | |
| Highest winds | 100 km/h (65 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 990 hPa (mbar); 29.23 inHg |
| Tropical storm | |
| 1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC) | |
| Highest winds | 65 km/h (40 mph) |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 9 total |
| Damage | None |
| Areas affected | India and Pakistan |
| IBTrACS | |
Part of the 2004 North Indian Ocean cyclone season | |
Severe Cyclonic Storm Onil was the first tropical cyclone to be named in the northern Indian Ocean. Forming out of an area of convection several hundred kilometres southwest of India on October 1 2004, Cyclone Onil quickly attained its peak intensity on October 2 with winds of 100 km/h (60 mph) and a barometric pressure of 990 mbar (hPa; 29.23 inHg). However, dry air quickly entered the system, causing it to rapidly weaken to a depression just off the coast of Gujarat, India. Over the following several days, the system took a slow, erratic track towards the south-southeast. After turning northeastward, the system made landfall near Porbandar on October 10 and dissipated shortly thereafter.
Throughout southeastern Pakistan and northwestern India, thousands of residents were evacuated prior to the cyclone's arrival. In these areas, the storm produced moderate to heavy rainfall, peaking at 145 mm (5.7 in) in Thatta, Sindh, Pakistan. These rains led to flash flooding in several areas. Nine people died in several incidents related to the storm in Karachi. The drainage system of Hyderabad sustained significant damage, leading to several protests and demonstrations by city residents. Offshore, 300 fishermen are believed to have gone missing during the storm; no reports have confirmed their whereabouts since they disappeared.