Cyclone Giri

Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Giri

Extremely severe cyclonic storm (IMD scale)
Category 4 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
Cyclone Giri on October 22, 2010 near peak strength.
Formed	October 20, 2010
Dissipated	October 23, 2010
Highest winds	3-minute sustained: 165 km/h (105 mph) 1-minute sustained: 250 km/h (155 mph)
Lowest pressure	950 hPa (mbar); 28.05 inHg (Estimated at 922 mbar (hPa; 27.23 inHg) by JTWC)
Fatalities	157 total
Damage	$359 million (2010 USD)
Areas affected	Myanmar and Bangladesh
Part of the 2010 North Indian Ocean cyclone season

Cyclone Giri (IMD designation: BOB 04, JTWC designation: 04B, also known as Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Giri) was the fourth named cyclone of the 2010 North Indian Ocean cyclone season. Giri developed from a low pressure area in the Bay of Bengal that organized into a tropical cyclone on October 19. Giri was stronger than Cyclone Nargis that battered the coast of Myanmar and killed thousands in 2008.

Unlike during Cyclone Nargis in 2008, the Government of Myanmar took steps to ensure the safety of residents in the path of Cyclone Giri. An estimated 53,000 are believed to have evacuated Kyaukphyu before the arrival of the storm. Throughout central Myanmar, at least 157 people are known to have been killed by Giri. Thousands of structures near where the storm made landfall were destroyed, leaving more than 70,000 people homeless. An international relief effort began shortly after the storm passed to assist survivors of the storm. Initially, local and foriegn media initially criticized the Myanmar government for not giving residents enough warning of the storm and later for keeping quiet on the situation. However, since then, focus has shifted to the loss of life and relief efforts.

Meteorological History

Map plotting the storm's track and intensity, according to the Saffir–Simpson scale

Map key

Saffir–Simpson scale

  Tropical depression (≤38 mph, ≤62 km/h)
  Tropical storm (39–73 mph, 63–118 km/h)
  Category 1 (74–95 mph, 119–153 km/h)
  Category 2 (96–110 mph, 154–177 km/h)
  Category 3 (111–129 mph, 178–208 km/h)
  Category 4 (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h)
  Category 5 (≥157 mph, ≥252 km/h)
  Unknown

Storm type

Tropical cyclone

Subtropical cyclone

Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression

Cyclone Giri was first identified by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) area of low pressure that formed on October 19 over the Bay of Bengal. Early on October 20, the system was classified as a depression and given the name BOB 04; and at that time, the system was situated roughly 250 km (155 mi) southwest of Sittwe, Myanmar. Continued development took place as convection consolidated around the system and banding features formed along the western side of the low. Situated in an area of weak wind shear, further development was anticipated over the following days. Early on October 21, the IMD upgraded the system to a deep depression and expected it to further intensify into a cyclonic storm within 24 hours. Shortly thereafter, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) issue their first advisory on the depression, classifying it as Tropical Cyclone 04B. The system rapidly developed throughout the day on October 21, developing an eye embedded within deep convection. In response to a near-equatorial ridge to the south, the system slowly tracked towards the northeast, placing Myanmar within its path. Around 0600 UTC, the IMD upgraded the system to a cyclonic storm, assigning it with the name "Giri".

Tracking over an area of high sea surface temperatures, rapid intensification ensued during the latter half of October 21. Following the development of very intense convection, with estimated cloud tops between −70 and −80 °C (−94 and −112 °F), Giri strengthened into a severe cyclonic storm, having sustained winds of at least 95 km/h (60 mph 3-minute sustained). Around 1800 UTC, the JTWC estimated that the system intensified into a Category 1 equivalent cyclone on the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale. Early on October 22, Giri further strengthened into a very severe cyclonic storm as it slowly moved towards the central coast of Myanmar. Throughout the day, the storm underwent explosive deepening, attaining winds of 240 km/h (145 mph 1-minute sustained) by 0900 UTC. Satellite imagery depicted a well-defined 46 km (29 mi) wide eye surrounded by deep convection. Accompanied by strong poleward outflow, additional strengthening took place despite Giri's proximity to land.

Within hours of making landfall on October 22, Giri attained its peak intensity with winds of 165 km/h (105 mph 3-minute sustained) and a barometric pressure of 950 mbar (hPa; 28.05 inHg). However, the JTWC estimated that Giri was a substantially stronger storm, nearly attaining Category 5 status; peak winds were believed to have reached 250 km/h (155 mph 1-minute sustained) and the pressure bottoming out at 922 mbar (hPa; 27.23 inHg). Around 1400 UTC, Cyclone Giri made landfall near Hunter's Bay, roughly 50 km (31 mi) northwest of Kyaukpyu at peak intensity. Upon doing so, Giri became the most intense storm to ever strike Myanmar, surpassing Cyclone Nargis which struck the Irrawaddy Delta region as a low-end Category 4 equivalent in May 2008. However, according to the International Federation of Red Cross And Red Crescent Societies, substantial weakening had taken place within the hours before landfall; they estimated that Cyclone Giri struck the coastline with winds of 175 km/h (110 mph 1-minute sustained). Once overland, the cyclone rapidly decayed as convection dissipated. Despite having estimated winds of 150 km/h (90 mph 1-minute sustained), the JTWC issued their final advisory on Giri just six hours after landfall. By early October 23, only scattered bursts of convection remained around the center of Giri as it degenerated into a land depression. The final advisory from the IMD was issued later that day as the system weakened further. Early on October 24, the remnants of Giri were completely absorbed by a non-tropical storm near the Himalayas.

Preparations and impact

Myanmar

Special warnings were issued for the Myanmar coast when the system intensified into a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm. There hadn't been much preparation for the storm, as it wasn't expected to become that strong. The greatest fear of the residents was the aftermath of the storm. There were concerns that the cyclone could do what Cyclone Nargis did in 2008. Upon information from JWTC, the chief of Myanmar Climate Change Watch of Myanmar Meteorology and Hydrology Department asked people to move to strong buildings and high ground so as to survive the strong winds. According to the military junta, an estimated 53,000 are believed to have evacuated Kyaukphyu before the arrivial of the storm.

According to local media, Cyclone Giri brought a storm surge up to 3.7 m (12 ft), along with waves up to 8 m (26 ft) and winds in excess of 260 km/h (160 mph). In Kyaukphyu, much of the city was left more than 1.2 m (3.9 ft) under water by the storm. Residents stated that most of Kyaukphyu destroyed by Giri, with nearly every tree and lamppost felled and all structures damaged or destroyed. Later reports confirmed that roughly 70% of the city had been destroyed by Giri. In the Ashey Paing ward, an entire village was flattened by the storm as roughly 1,000 homes were destroyed. Near the Gangawtaw Pagoda in the city, nearly 100 homes were completely destroyed. The local Red Cross office in the city was also destroyed after a large tree fell on it due to high winds. Myebon Township was the hardest-hit area in the country: several villages were completely destroyed by the storm and many others were severely damaged. According to the United Nations, roughly 15,000 homes were destroyed by the storm throughout Arakan State.

In the Seikphyu Township, flood waters up to 4.6 m (15 ft) deep inundated 20 villages after overflow from a dam was released without warning. Thousands of residents were stranded by the flood and left in dire need of assistance. Of the few reports coming from the region, there were indications of fatalities in outlying villages. Most of the livestock in the area perished as there was no time to bring them to higher ground safely. The overall timing of the cyclone's landfall was also devastating for the region. It came at the only harvest of the year for Rakhine State. According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, 16,187 hectares (40,000 acres) of rice paddies were destroyed and another 40,468 hectares (100,000 acres) were damaged.

Within a day of Giri striking Myanmar, three people were reported to have been killed by the storm and tens of thousands of residents were believed to have been left homeless. By October 25, officials in Myanmar stated that the death toll had risen to 50 and at least 30 people in the Pyin Wan Village were missing. According to press reports, "The situation here is alarming"; the death toll is believed to continue to increase over the following days as bodies continue to be found. Offshore, more than 100 fishermen from Myanmar and Bangladesh were reported missing after 21 ships were caught in rough seas produced by the cyclone. As of October 29, the at least 94 people were confirmed to have been killed by Giri. Of these fatalities, 84 were in Myebon Township (Mray Bon) and 10 in Pauktaw Township. However, according to local relief groups, the death toll had risen over 100 by October 28.

As of November 2, 157 fatalities had been confirmed as a result of Cyclone Giri. Of these fatalities, 138 were in Myebon Township, 11 in Pauktaw Township, 5 in Minbya Township and 3 in Kyaukpru Township. According to officials in Kyaukpyu Township, damage from the storm amounted to 2.34 billion kyat (US$359 million).

Bangladesh

Even though the storm wasn't expected to hit Bangladesh, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (locally called Met Office) issued storm signal five at ports of Cox's Bazar and Chittagong. Ships and vessels were also asked to return to shore quickly. Later on October 23, the Met Office asked maritime ports to lower danger signal number five and hoist local cautionary signal number three.

Aftermath

Immediately following the storm, urgent requests for food and clean water were made by residents in the hardest hit areas. By the afternoon of October 23, the Red Cross began deploying relief supplies to the affected region; 300 tents and 150 bags of rice were planned to be distributed to Kyaukphyu where at least 5,000 people were left homeless. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), a total of 176,823 people were affected by the storm and 70,795 were left homeless. By October 30, the number affected and homeless had risen to 1.1 million and roughly 100,000 respectively. Red Cross officials also reported that an estimated 60,000 people were in need of assistance throughout Myanmar. Later that day, a relief charity was opened in Rangoon to aid victims of the storm; the charity in short order had received donations of 10 million kyat ($10,000 USD). By October 25, temporary shelter camps set up by relief agencies housed an estimated 5,000 people.

By October 26, the Government of the Union of Myanmar had begun distributing 60,000 zinc roof sheets and the Ministry of Forestry provided 200 tonnes (220 tons) of timber. The World Food Programme set up four field monitors, stocked with a total of 900 tonnes (992 tons) of rice with another 300 tonnes (330 tons) on the way; stocks of rice in Kyaukpyu itself had reportedly been exhausted. Roughly 1,500 households in Kyaukpyu townhsip were being cared for by the Save the Children foundation. Through the end of October, six non-governmental ogranizations in Myanmar planned to distribute emergency food supplies, such rice, oil, salt and pulses, to 5,000 residents in Kyaukpyu and Myebon. Health supplies were also being distributed at relief camps by UNICEF in the hardest-hit areas. About 500 family kits containing non-food items, such as tarpaulins and moskito nets, had been distribted by the Myanmar Red Cross Society and another 1,200 were being sent to the area. On October 26, United States Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton stated that the country offered emergency assistance and aid to Myanmar.

Criticism of the Junta

International and local media criticized the military government for inadequate warnings prior to Giri's arrival in the country. However, the junta claims to have informed the public appropriately. Little assistance had reached thousands of survivors days after the storm's passage, fueling anger from local media sources. Government relief slowly reached the area; however, workers only cleared debris left by the storm and only encouraged residents to rebuild by giving them the supplies needed to do so. Further criticism was made about the government witholding information on the loss of life and scale of damage. Requests were also made to postpone a national election for residents in Arakan State; however, no response was given and the elections were still planned to be held on November 7. According to the United Nations, this election, the first national election in 20 years, was "proving to be a sham anyways." The political party running against the junta was already placed under house arrest and governmental change was unlikely.

Additional criticism continued even a week after the storm, especially over the scale of the disaster. The government claimed that only 27 people had been killed by Giri while numerous local and international agencies stated significantly higher totals. They were also blamed for downplaying the amount of damage, resulting in slower distribution of aid to areas in desperate need. Two weeks after Giri struck Myanmar, little attention was given to the ongoing disaster. The Myanmar government continued to keep other countries out of the area and prevent them from knowing what was going on in the hardest hit areas. Thousands of survivors continue to suffer due to the insufficient relief making it into the region.