 Cyclone Thane near peak intensity on December 29 | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | December 25, 2011 |
| Dissipated | December 31, 2011 |
| Very severe cyclonic storm | |
| 3-minute sustained (IMD) | |
| Highest winds | 140 km/h (85 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 969 hPa (mbar); 28.61 inHg |
| Category 2-equivalent tropical cyclone | |
| 1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC) | |
| Highest winds | 165 km/h (105 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 956 hPa (mbar); 28.23 inHg |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 48 |
| Damage | $235 million (2011 USD) |
| Areas affected | Southern India, Sri Lanka |
| IBTrACS / [1] | |
Part of the 2011 North Indian Ocean cyclone season | |
Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Thane was the strongest tropical cyclone of 2011 within the Bay of Bengal. Thane initially developed as a tropical disturbance within the monsoon trough to the west of Indonesia. Over the next couple of days the disturbance gradually developed further while moving towards the northwest, and was declared a Depression during December 25, before being named Cyclonic Storm Thane the next day. Thane started to turn towards the west under the influence of a subtropical ridge of high pressure before its development slowed during December 27, as a strong outflow and marginally favourable sea surface temperatures fought with persistent vertical wind shear. After its development had slowed during December 27, Thane became a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm during December 28, before as it approached the Indian states of Tamil Nadu, it weakened slightly. Thane then made landfall early on December 30, on the north Tamil Nadu coast between Cuddalore and Puducherry and rapidly weakened into a depression.