Cyclone Hamoon made landfall on the southeastern coast of Bangladesh on October 25, 2023, the increasing frequency and intensity of such weather events in the region, largely attributed to the impacts of climate change.
Also Read: New Orleans: Super Fog Causes Pile-up on Interstate 55, 8 Killed
This meteorological event has been closely monitored by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), and its aftermath continues to affect parts of the Bay of Bengal and Northeast India.
Cyclone Hamoon originated in the Bay of Bengal and intensified, posing a threat to coastal regions. The cyclone was named by Iran, with “Hamoon” referring to temporary desert lakes and marshlands that naturally form in regions near the Helmand basin. These areas serve as seasonal water reservoirs.
As of October 25, Cyclone Hamoon was located approximately 40 kilometers east-southeast of Chittagong, Bangladesh.
The storm was characterized by strong winds with speeds ranging between 80 to 90 kilometers per hour, gusting up to 100 kilometers per hour.
This intensification on the Bay of Bengal highlighted the dangers of such storms and the need for early warning systems and preparedness.
The impact of Cyclone Hamoon on coastal areas of Bangladesh and regions of Myanmar was huge but not as devastating as it could have been.
Authorities in the affected areas took precautionary measures, including the evacuation of approximately 2.7 lakh people to cyclone shelters.
These efforts helped minimize casualties, with two reported fatalities due to a falling tree and a building collapse.
Also Read: Bobi: The World’s Oldest Dog Ever, Dies at 31
However, the cyclone did unleash heavy rainfall on coastal villages and islands, resulting in the uprooting of trees and power lines.
This damage underscores the need for resilient infrastructure and disaster management strategies in regions prone to cyclonic activity.
Cyclone Hamoon is part of a series of severe storms that have impacted Bangladesh’s coastline in recent years. The increasing frequency and intensity of such events can be attributed to climate change.
Climate change leads to rising sea temperatures, which provide the energy needed for cyclones to intensify. Additionally, it disrupts weather patterns, making the behavior of cyclones more unpredictable.
Furthermore, climate change is causing sea levels to rise, increasing the risk of storm surges and coastal flooding.
Low-lying coastal regions like Bangladesh are particularly vulnerable to these effects. To mitigate the impact of climate change on cyclonic events, there is a need for global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the changing climate.
Even with cyclonic dangers, early warning systems play a crucial role in saving lives and minimizing damage.
In the case of Cyclone Hamoon, “storm warning cage number 2” was set up at Pamban Port in Rameswaram to alert fishermen about the cyclonic storm over the Bay of Bengal. Such systems are vital for protecting the lives and livelihoods of those dependent on fishing.
Also Read: Hurricane Norma Makes Landfall in Mexico as Category 1 Storm
In Odisha, the administration put all Urban Local Bodies (ULB) on alert due to the formation of cyclonic storm Hamoon. These preparedness and early warning measures are essential in mitigating the impact of natural disasters.
Despite its weakening after landfall, the remnants of Cyclone Hamoon continued to affect parts of the Bay of Bengal and Northeast India.
Squally winds with speeds ranging from 40-50 kmph, gusting to 60 kmph, persisted over Mizoram and Tripura. Strong winds also affected Manipur.
Light to moderate rainfall was expected in many places over Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, east Arunachal Pradesh, south Assam, and Meghalaya during the next 48 hours.
The cyclone’s influence on the region highlighted the need for regional preparedness and infrastructure resilience.
Fortunately for Odisha, Cyclone Hamoon passed at a safe distance of about 200 kilometers from the state’s coast.
This spared Odisha from significant adverse effects, except for light to moderate rainfall in the coastal areas.
This situation emphasizes the importance of accurate tracking and prediction of cyclonic paths to minimize unnecessary panic and evacuations.
Also Read: Afghanistan Hit by Third Powerful Earthquake in a Week
Top Sources Related to Cyclone Hamoon: Bangladesh and 7 States in India on High Alert (For R&D)
Times of India:
.jpg)
Sources Related to Floods in Last 3 Months Around the World (For R&D)
- China floods: Xi Jinping urges action as rains kill 15 and displace thousands
- At Least 1 Dead as Heavy Rains Set Off Flash Flooding in New York
- Mongolia – Floods
- Assam Floods: About 18,000 People Suffer From Terrible Flood In Dhemaji District
- At least 50 dead in Pakistan monsoon floods since end of June
- New Delhi Floods: Deadly Monsoon Rains, leaving 15 Dead
- Japan Floods: Heavy Rains Causes Floods and Landslides, 1 Dead
- South Korea Floods: At Least 26 Dead and Over 1000 Evacuated
- Central Russia:10 Dead, Including 3 Children as Strong Winds hit Tourist Camp
- Typhoon Doksuri: Beijing’s Heaviest Rain in a Decade Kills at Least 11
- Slovenia Floods: At least 2 Dead, Forcing Evacuations
- Georgia: 11 Killed in Landslide at Mountain Resort Town of Shovi
- Alaska: Houses Swept Away by Glacial Floods in Juneau
- Nepal: At Least 38 Killed, Several Missing in Floods And Landslides
- China: 21 Killed, 6 Missing After Mudslide in Xi’an
- Hurricane Hilary hits California after Lashing Mexico
- Pakistan: Floods Force Evacuation of Almost 100,000 People
- Himachal Pradesh Landslide: 8 buildings Collapsed in Kullu
- Hurricane Idalia Makes Landfall in Florida and Georgia
- Typhoon Saola Threatens China with Category 4 Winds
- Typhoon Haikui: More than 4,000 People were Evacuated
- Brazil Cyclone Kills At Least 31 and Leaves Over 1,600 Homeless
- Dangerous Hurricane Lee Forecast to Become Category 5
- Hong Kong Flooded by Heaviest Rains in 140 Years
- Storm Daniel: At least 2,000 Dead and 10,000 Missing in Libya
- Hurricane Lee Makes Landfall in Canada, 1 dead in US
- Tornado in Eastern China Kills 10 and 4 Others Injured
- Storm Agnes Set to Bring 80mph Winds and Heavy Rain
- New York Declares State of Emergency Amid Flash Flooding
- Sikkim Flash Floods: At Least 10 Dead and 23 Army Missing
