Typhoon Gay (1989)

This article is about the Typhoon/Cyclone of 1989; for other storms of the same name, see Typhoon Gay.

Typhoon Gay

Super cyclonic storm (IMD)
Category 5 Tropical Cyclone (SSHS)
Typhoon Gay at peak intensity shortly before its landfall in India
Formed	November 1, 1989
Dissipated	November 10, 1989
Highest winds	3-minute sustained: 230 km/h (145 mph) 1-minute sustained: 260 km/h (160 mph)
Lowest pressure	930 mbar (hPa); 27.46 inHg
Fatalities	902 deaths, 134 missing
Damage	$521 million (1989 USD)
Areas affected	Thailand, India
Part of the 1989 Pacific typhoon season 1989 North Indian Ocean cyclone season

Typhoon Gay, also known as the Kavali Cyclone of 1989, was a small but powerful tropical cyclone that caused over 800 fatalities in and around the Gulf of Thailand in November 1989. The worst typhoon to affect the Malay peninsula in at least 35 years, Gay originated from a monsoon trough over the Gulf of Thailand in early November. Owing to favorable atmospheric conditions, the storm rapidly intensified, attaining winds in excess of 120 km/h (75 mph) by November 3. Later that day, Gay became the first typhoon since 1891 to make landfall in Thailand, striking Chumphon Province with winds of 185 km/h (115 mph). The small storm emerged into the Bay of Bengal after temporarily weakening over land and gradually reorganized over the following days as it approached southeastern India. On November 8, Gay attained its peak intensity as a Category 5 equivalent cyclone with winds estimated at 260 km/h (160 mph). The typhoon then moved onshore near Kavali, Andhra Pradesh. Rapid weakening ensued inland, and Gay dissipated over Maharashtra early on November 10.

The typhoon's rapid development caught hundreds of vessels in the Gulf of Thailand off guard, leading to 275 offshore fatalities. Of these, 91 took place after an oil drilling ship, the Seacrest, abruptly capsized amidst 6 to 11 m (20 to 36 ft) swells. Across the Malay Peninsula, 588 people died from various incidents related to the storm. Several towns in coastal Chumphon were destroyed. Losses throughout Thailand totaled 11 billion Baht ($496.5 million USD). Striking India as a powerful cyclone, Gay damaged or destroyed approximately 20,000 homes in Andhra Pradesh, leaving 100,000 people homeless. Sixty-nine deaths and 410 million Rupees ($25.27 million USD) worth of damage were attributed to Gay in India.

Meteorological history

Storm path

In early November, a monsoon trough over the Gulf of Thailand showed signs of tropical cyclogenesis. A small, concentrated area of convection soon developed over an area of low pressure that formed within the trough. The system soon became sufficiently organized for the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) to issue a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert. Despite being within the geographically small Gulf, the storm's small size allowed it to take advantage of warm waters and good outflow. Moving generally towards the northwest, it developed into a tropical depression on November 2 and subsequently underwent rapid intensification. As the newly christened Tropical Storm Gay strengthened "it presented a paradox to forecasters." Synoptic data from Malaysia and Thailand indicated decreasing winds and increasing barometric pressures; however, these were later interpreted as increased subsidence along the periphery of the storm.

Typhoon Gay on November 3 hours before making landfall in the Malay Peninsula

Strengthening faster than anticipated, Gay attained typhoon status early on November 3. Later that day, the storm developed an eye before passing directly over the Seacrest, an oil drilling ship. By November 4, the typhoon attained winds of 185 km/h (115 mph), equivalent to a Category 3 hurricane on the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale, before making landfall in Chumphon Province, Thailand around 0600 UTC. At this time, the Japan Meteorological Agency assessed the storm to have attained ten-minute sustained winds of 140 km/h (85 km/h) and a pressure of 960 mbar (hPa; 28.35 inHg). Crossing the Kra Isthmus, Gay temporarily weakened to minimal typhoon status as it entered the Bay of Bengal. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Gay became the first typhoon since 1891 to form in the Gulf of Thailand and cross into the Bay of Bengal. Responding to a ridge to the north, Gay maintained a west-northwest to northwesterly track for the next four days. Moving through an area of low wind shear and warm waters once again, the storm gradually re-intensified; however, restrictions to the cyclone's outflow limited this. Early on November 6, Gay passed close to the Andaman Islands as a Category 2 equivalent cyclone.

After maintaining its strength for much of November 6, Gay resumed intensification as the ridge to its north strengthened and the previous restrictions to its outflow lessened. Now moving nearly due west, the storm moved through a small fetch of warmer waters, fueling further strengthening over the next 42 hours. Based on estimates provided through the use of the Dvorak Technique, the JTWC estimated Gay to have attained its peak intensity early on November 8 as a Category 5 equivalent cyclone with winds of 260 km/h (160 mph). Around this time, the IMD estimated the storm to have attained 3-minute sustained winds of 240 km/h (145 mph), classifying Gay as a modern-day Super Cyclonic Storm. Additionally, its central pressure was estimated to have decreased to 930 mbar (hPa; 27.46 inHg). Around 1800 UTC, Gay made landfall over a sparsely populated area near Kavali, India in Andhra Pradesh. Upon coming ashore, the storm's eye was approximately 20 km (12 mi) wide. Additionally, gale-force winds were confined to within 95 km (60 mi) of the storm's center. Now over land, the storm no longer had access to warm waters and subsequently rapidly weakened. Less than 12 hours after landfall, Gay had weakened to a tropical storm. The storm continued to diminish over India before completely dissipating on November 10 over Maharashtra.

Impact and aftermath

Gulf of Thailand

The most powerful storm to affect the Gulf of Thailand in over 35 years, Gay produced 6 to 11 m (20 to 36 ft) swells that caught many ships in the region off guard. At least 16 vessels were reported missing by November 5, including the 106 m (348 ft) Unocal Corporation oil drilling ship Seacrest. According to survivors, the vessel received no warning of the developing typhoon. Shortly before all crew members were going to abandon ship, the eye of Typhoon Gay passed over and winds fluctuated violently and changed direction, preventing the ship from remaining stabilized despite being within safe operating limits. Consequently, the vessel abruptly capsized with all 97 crew members during the overnight hours of November 3 before any life boat could be deployed. Initial rescue attempts on November 4 were hampered by rough seas. Two days after the sinking, four rescue ships and two helicopters were in the area searching for survivors. By November 6, four people were rescued from the vessel. Divers from the Thai Navy were sent to search the capsized vessel for anyone trapped inside. Of the crew, only six survived and twenty-five bodies were recovered. The remaining 66 were presumed dead. Losses due to the sinking of the Seacrest reached $40 million. Another 20 cargo and fishing ships sank during the storm, collectively resulting in 140 fatalities.

Thailand

Striking Thailand with unprecedented strength, Typhoon Gay caused damage across many provinces in the country. Areas between Chumphon and Rayong Provinces were significantly impacted by heavy rains, high winds and large swells. Widespread disruption of communication and electricity occurred in most areas south of Bangkok, with many remaining without power for weeks. Numerous trees and power poles were uprooted and wooden houses built on stilts were blown over near where the storm made landfall. Exacerbated by deforestation, flash flooding triggered by the storm damaged or destroyed thousands of homes and accounted for at least 365 fatalities. Several towns and villages across Chumphon province were devastated, one of the destroyed villages "looked like it had been bombed" according to the Bangkok Post. Entire districts were reportedly "flattened" within Chumphon and Prachuap Khiri Khan provinces. Over 1,000 roads and 194 bridges were damaged or washed away. At the height of the floods, over 250,000 hectares (618,000 acres) of land was under water. Onshore, 558 fatalities were attributed to the storm and another 44 took place just offshore. Throughout Thailand, approximately 47,000 homes were damaged destroyed and over 200,000 people were affected, of which about 153,000 were left homeless. Monetary losses reached 11 billion Baht ($456.5 million USD), ranking Gay as one of the costliest disasters in the country's history.

Within a week of the storm's passage, the Government of Thailand began distributing relief goods to residents throughout the affected provinces. Despite the effort by the government, 2,500 people from Pa Thiew and Tha Sae demonstrated for additional and more intensive aid on November 9. These protests were soon dispersed. Following considerable criticism for downplaying the impact of the typhoon, Prime Minister Chatichai Choonhavan delayed his visit to the United States to personally oversee relief efforts. By November 15, the United States pledged to donate $25,000 for recovery operations. Telephone connection was restored from Bangkok to Prachuap Khiri Khan by this time; however, areas further south remained disconnected. Generators were brought in to keep hospitals and government offices running as much of Chumphon province remained without electricity for more than two weeks. As the scale of damage became more apparent, a request for international aid was made by November 17 to the United Nations Disaster Relief Organization. Upon the announcement of the request, six countries pledged to provide nearly $510,000 in funds collectively.

India

After crossing the Malay Peninsula, Typhoon Gay moved through the Andaman Islands on November 6. As a precautionary measure, all air and sea traffic were suspended to the region. Winds in excess of 120 km/h (75 mph) battered North Andaman Island, causing two structures to collapse. A few days before Typhoon Gay made landfall, officials in Andhra Pradesh began evacuating roughly 50,000 residents along the coast and stockpiled relief goods. Some people had to be forced to leave vulnerable locations in the Visakhapatnam and Srikakulam districts. Local meteorologists warned that the storm was comparable to a cyclone in 1977 that killed more than 10,000 people. Striking the southern coast of Andhra Pradesh, Typhoon Gay produced wind gusts estimated at 320 km/h (200 mph). Along the coast, a storm surge of 3.5 m (11 ft) inundated areas up to 3 km (1.9 mi) inland, washing away numerous structures. About 20 km (12 mi) outside of Kavali, a 91 m (299 ft) tall, steel lattice microwave tower collapsed after experiencing winds estimated at 142 km/h (88 mph). Transportation and communication across the region was disrupted and 20,000 homes were damaged or destroyed, leaving at least 100,000 people homeless. Nearly every structure in Annagaripalem were severely damaged or destroyed. Offshore, 25 fishermen drowned near Machilipatnam after ignoring warnings to return to port. Throughout Andhra Pradesh, 69 fatalities and 410 million Rupees ($25.27 million USD) worth of damage was attributed to Typhoon Gay. In the months after the storm, concrete shelters were built to house displaced persons.

See also

• Tropical cyclone
• List of tropical cyclones
• List of the most intense tropical cyclones in the Northern Indian Ocean

External links

• Japan Meteorological Agency
• Joint Typhoon Warning Center
• India Meteorological Department

Tropical cyclones of the 1989 Pacific typhoon season
W A B C D E F G H I J 12W KL M N O P 19W R 21W S T V W A B C D E F G H I 35W J		JMA scale TD TS STS TY