evere Cyclonic Storm Onil (India Meteorological Department designation: ARB 03;

Joint Typhoon Warning Center designation: 03A) 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 (65 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.

Contents [hide]
1 Meteorological history
2 Impact and aftermath
3 See also
4 References
5 External links
Meteorological history[edit]

Map plotting the track and intensity of the storm according to the SaffirSimpson
scale
Severe Cyclonic Storm Onil was first identified as an area of convection early on
September 30, 2004 situated roughly 465 km (290 mi) southwest of Mumbai,
India. Satellite imagery depicted a poorly organized system with deep convection
partially surrounding a low-level circulation. Situated over warm water and within
an area of moderate wind shear,[1] the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC)
assessed the system's chances of developing into a tropical cyclone as "fair".[2]
Within several hours of being identified, the Indian Meteorological Department
(IMD) began monitoring the system as Depression ARB 03.[3] Despite a decrease
in convection later on September 30,[1] the IMD upgraded the cyclone to a deep
depression, stating that three-minute sustained winds had reached 55 km/h (35
mph).[3] Early the next day, organization substantially improved,[1] prompting
the JTWC to issue a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert.[2] Around 0900 UTC on
October 1, the IMD upgraded the deep depression to Cyclonic Storm Onil.[3]
Upon being named, the storm became the first tropical cyclone on record to be
named in the northern Indian Ocean. The WMO/ESCAP Panel agreed in May 2004
that in September, tropical cyclones in the Northern Indian Ocean attaining gale-
force winds would be given names.[4]

Later on October 1, the JTWC issued their first advisory on the storm, classifying
it as Tropical Cyclone 03A.[2] Tracking towards the northeast, Onil intensified as
convection consolidated around the center of circulation.[1] Roughly 24 hours
after being named, the system attained its peak intensity as a severe cyclonic
storm with winds of 100 km/h (65 mph) and a barometric pressure of 990 mbar
(hPa; 29.23 inHg) according to the IMD with.[3] Upon reaching this strength, the
system featured a pinhole eye surrounded by deep convection. Additionally,
Dvorak technique intensity estimates reached 3.5, indicating a high-end tropical
storm. However, the JTWC stated maximum winds to be 65 km/h (40 mph), a
low-end tropical storm.[2] As the storm neared the Indian coastline, dry air
quickly entered the circulation, causing most of the convection associated with
Onil to dissipate.[1] Located within 100 km (65 mi) of land, the JTWC downgraded
the system to a tropical depression and the IMD downgraded Onil to a deep
depression.[2][3]

On October 3, the center of Onil skimmed the coastline of northwestern India;

however, the center did not cross land.[1] Around this time, the upper-level
circulation detached from the low-level circulation, further weakening the storm.
[2] Early on October 4, the JTWC stated that the system had degenerated into a
non-convective remnant low pressure system.[5] After executing a counter-
clockwise loop, the depression slowly tracked south-southeastward, away from
land. By October 7, the system was reclassified as a tropical depression by the
JTWC as it stalled several hundred kilometres southwest of Gujarat, India. The
system maintained a relatively low intensity for the following several days before
making landfall near Porbandar with winds of 45 km/h (30 mph).[5] Within hours
of moving inland, Onil dissipated early on October 10.[2]

Impact and aftermath[edit]

Microwave satellite image of Cyclone Onil on October 2 depicting the pinhole eye
In northwestern India, thousands of residents were evacuated in fears of Onil
striking the region. According to one of the evacuated residents, this was the
seventh evacuation due to a cyclone in the area since 1999.[6] On October 10,
the storm's remnants brought light to moderate rainfall in India; there was no
known rainfall amount exceeding 100 mm (3.9 in) throughout the region.[1]
In southeastern Pakistan, an estimated 6,000 people were evacuated from
coastal regions prior to Cyclone Onil's arrival.[1] Port officials warned fishermen
not to venture out during the storm due to rough seas.[7] Cyclone Onil brought
moderate to heavy rainfall and gusty winds. A maximum of 145 mm (5.7 in) of
rain fell in Thatta, Sindh between October 2 and 3.[1] In Hyderabad, heavy rains
amounting to 98 mm (3.9 in) caused a 10 ft (3.0 m) section of a drainage system
to collapse, prompting the evacuation of several hundred residents.[8][9][10]
Throughout Sindh, an estimated 607 square kilometres (234 sq mi) of land was
inundated by flood waters, destroying roughly 70% of the cotton crop.[11] In the
city of Karachi, nine people were killed in various incidents related to the storm
at least 35 mph (56 km/h) winds were reported. Two people were killed after
being electrocuted by a downed power line outside their home. Many streets in
the city were flooded and power lines were downed.[12] Another one of these
people died while trying to clear a drain near her house when a wall collapsed on
her.[13] Offshore, 163 fishermen were reported to be missing after being caught
in the storm.[14] However, reports from Pakistani officials stated that at least
300 fishermen were missing.[8] In other areas, power was lost for more than 48
hours after Onil moved through the region.[15] Around Karo Gongro, 100 people
were stranded along a major roadway after flash flooding struck the area.[16]

In the wake of the storm, Pakistani officials set up 26 relief camps where
residents were offered food and shelter.[15] Roughly 3,000 people sought refuge
in these shelters.[11] Mobile units were also set up by the District Health
Department to minimize the impacts of any post-storm diseases.[15] On October
3, Imtiaz Ahmed Shaikh expressed his grief over the damage caused by Cyclonic
Storm Onil and stated that he would be touring the affected region within the
following days.[17] At least 40 million Pakistani rupee ($469,000 USD) was
allocated in relief funds by Sindh Minister Syed Papoo Shah.[8] On October 4,
port officials stated that it was safe for fishermen to resume their activities in the
Arabian Sea.[18] Later that day, a rain emergency was declared for Hyderabad
and emergency shelters were set up in the city. All officers in the Hyderabad
Development Authority who were initially put on leave ahead of the cyclone were
told to resume work to assist in clearing drainage systems.[19] Several days
after the storm, reports indicated that there were more than 300 instances where
the city's drainage system collapsed across the area, resulting in standing water
in many structures. Residents in these areas, frustrated by the lack of quick
action by the government, began holding protests about the flooding. In
response to these protests, Shaukat Hayat Bhutto suspended Assistant Engineer
Sewage manager, Qamar Memon, for his negligence on draining flood waters.
[20]

See also[edit]
Tropical cyclones portal
2004 North Indian Ocean cyclone season
List of wettest known tropical cyclones in Pakistan
References[edit]
^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h i Gary Padgett (May 17, 2005). "Monthly Tropical
Weather Summary for October 2004". Australia Severe Weather. Retrieved June
10, 2010.
^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g Joint Typhoon Warning Center (2005). "2004 Annual
Tropical Cyclone Report" (PDF). Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command.
Retrieved June 13, 2010.
^ Jump up to: a b c d e "IMD Best Tracks Data ( 1990 - 2008 )". India
Meteorological Department. 2009. Archived from the original on November 16,
2009. Retrieved June 13, 2010.
Jump up ^ "Report on Cyclonic Disturbances Over North Indian Ocean During
2009" (PDF). India Meteorological Department. January 2010. Archived from the
original (PDF) on April 6, 2010. Retrieved June 13, 2010.
^ Jump up to: a b Joint Typhoon Warning Center (2005). "Tropical Cyclone 03A
(Onil) Best Track". Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command. Retrieved
June 13, 2010.
Jump up ^ Rupak Sanyal (October 3, 2004). "Cyclone fear wanes, thousands
return home after evacuation in western India". Associated Press. Retrieved June
10, 2010.
Jump up ^ Staff Writer (October 3, 2004). "Cyclone hits Sindh coastal line".
Pakistani Press International. Retrieved June 13, 2010.
^ Jump up to: a b c Staff Writer (October 3, 2004). "300 Fishermen Missing As
Cyclone Calms Down After Dashing Keti Bunder". Pakistani Press International.
Retrieved June 13, 2010.
Jump up ^ Staff Writer (October 3, 2004). "Weather Forecast: Rain/Thunderstorm
expected". Pakistani Press International. Retrieved June 13, 2010.
Jump up ^ Staff Writer (October 3, 2004). "Heavy rainfall lashes out lower Sindh".
Pakistani Press International. Retrieved June 13, 2010.