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==Background==
==Background==
Prior to the 2019 event, no tornado had ever been officially confirmed in Nepal; the lack of such events is reflected by the [[Nepali language]] not having a word for "tornado".<ref name="Nature"/> However, elderly residents in the [[Terai]] have a [[Maithili language|Maithili]] and [[Hindi]] word for tornado: chakrawat.<ref name="NT">{{cite news|newspaper=Nepali Times|date=5 April 2019|accessdate=23 April 2019|title=The new normal|url=https://www.nepalitimes.com/editorial/the-new-normal-2/}}</ref> Nepal has a limited meteorological network and records of past weather events are sparse. Some parts of the country had no log of data prior to 1956. In that year the [[India Meteorological Department]] established [[weather station]]s, later turning over responsibility to the Nepalese government in 1966. Concerted efforts to steadily expand the observation network began in the 1980s, with 60&nbsp;[[rain gauges]] established by 1985.<ref name="Climo">{{cite journal|author=Norman Thyer|journal=Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society|volume=66|issue=6|date=June 1985|title=Looking at Western Nepal's Climate|pages=645–650|doi=10.1175/1520-0477(1985)066<0645:LAWNC>2.0.CO;2}}</ref> In 2019, the government built a [[Weather radar|Doppler weather radar]] in [[Surkhet]] and had plans for two more.<ref name="NT_0405"/> Usage of [[weather balloon]]s was also being tested. Hirohiko Ishikawa, a meteorologist at the [[Disaster Prevention Research Institute]] of [[Kyoto University]] stated there is a possibility of unrecorded tornadoes in the plains of southeastern of Nepal.<ref name="Nature"/> A plausible tornado was reported in February&nbsp;1968: a weather observer recalled a {{convert|120|m|ft|abbr=on}} diameter "pillar of dust and rain" that traveled {{convert|0.5|mi|km|abbr=on|disp=flip}} and caused extensive crop damage.<ref name="Climo"/> Kiran Nepal of the ''[[Nepali Times]]'' asserts that the 2019 tornado was not the first of its kind and that prior events documented in literature and folklore were overlooked by media.<ref name="NT_GZ"/>
Prior to the 2019 event, no tornado had ever been officially confirmed in Nepal; the lack of such events is reflected by the [[Nepali language]] not having a word for "tornado".<ref name="Nature"/> However, elderly residents in the [[Terai]] have a [[Maithili language|Maithili]] and [[Hindi]] word for tornado: chakrawat.<ref name="NT">{{cite news|newspaper=Nepali Times|date=5 April 2019|accessdate=23 April 2019|title=The new normal|url=https://www.nepalitimes.com/editorial/the-new-normal-2/}}</ref> Nepal has a limited meteorological network and records of past weather events are sparse. Some parts of the country had no log of data prior to 1956. In that year the [[India Meteorological Department]] established [[weather station]]s, later turning over responsibility to the Nepalese government in 1966. Concerted efforts to steadily expand the observation network began in the 1980s, with 60&nbsp;[[rain gauges]] established by 1985.<ref name="Climo">{{cite journal|author=Norman Thyer|journal=Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society|volume=66|issue=6|date=June 1985|title=Looking at Western Nepal's Climate|pages=645–650|doi=10.1175/1520-0477(1985)066<0645:LAWNC>2.0.CO;2|bibcode=1985BAMS...66..645T}}</ref> In 2019, the government built a [[Weather radar|Doppler weather radar]] in [[Surkhet]] and had plans for two more.<ref name="NT_0405"/> Usage of [[weather balloon]]s was also being tested. Hirohiko Ishikawa, a meteorologist at the [[Disaster Prevention Research Institute]] of [[Kyoto University]] stated there is a possibility of unrecorded tornadoes in the plains of southeastern of Nepal.<ref name="Nature"/> A plausible tornado was reported in February&nbsp;1968: a weather observer recalled a {{convert|120|m|ft|abbr=on}} diameter "pillar of dust and rain" that traveled {{convert|0.5|mi|km|abbr=on|disp=flip}} and caused extensive crop damage.<ref name="Climo"/> Kiran Nepal of the ''[[Nepali Times]]'' asserts that the 2019 tornado was not the first of its kind and that prior events documented in literature and folklore were overlooked by media.<ref name="NT_GZ"/>


The [[Ganges Basin]] to the south of Nepal occasionally sees tornadoes.<ref name="Nature">{{cite web|author=Smriti Mallapaty|publisher=Nature|date=12 April 2019|accessdate=23 April 2019|title=Nepali scientists record country’s first tornado|url=https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-019-01159-w|doi=10.1038/d41586-019-01159-w}}</ref> Tornadoes in this region are most common during the pre- and post-[[Monsoon of South Asia|monsoon]] months.<ref name="Bclimo"">{{cite journal |last1=Peterson |first1=R. E. |last2=Mehta |first2=K. C. |title=Climatology of tornadoes of India and Bangladesh |journal=Archives for Meteorology, Geophysics, and Bioclimatology, Series B |date=December 1981 |volume=29 |issue=4 |pages=345–356 |doi=10.1007/BF02263310}}</ref> The United States' [[National Centers for Environmental Information]] highlights an increased likelihood of tornadoes from Ganges Basin northwest along the southern slopes of the [[Himalayas]], through Nepal, and into northeastern [[Pakistan]].<ref>{{cite web|publisher=National Centers for Environmental Information|year=2011|accessdate=23 April 2019|title=U.S. Tornado Climatology|url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/climate-information/extreme-events/us-tornado-climatology}}</ref> Reports of tornadoes in this region are primarily clustered in [[Bangladesh]], with only sporadic events farther northwest.<ref name="Bclimo"/> The pre-monsoon months (March to May) display the most favorable conditions for severe weather. During this time, [[convective available potential energy]]—an indicator of [[atmospheric instability]] whereby higher values denote a greater likelihood of thunderstorms—and [[wind shear]] are conducive to the development of rotating thunderstorms.<ref>{{cite journal|author=Yamane|first=Yusuke|last2=Hayashi|first2=Taiichi|last3=Dewan|first3=Ashraf Mahmmood|last4=Akter|first4=Fatima|date=March 2010|title=Severe local convective storms in Bangladesh: Part I. Climatology|url=|journal=Atmospheric Research|volume=95|issue=4|pages=400–406|doi=10.1016/j.atmosres.2009.11.004|via=}}</ref> Some of the deadliest tornadoes on record occur in these areas; one such [[Daulatpur–Saturia tornado|tornado in 1989]] killed an estimated 1,300&nbsp;people in Bangladesh's [[Manikganj District]].<ref>{{cite news|author=Chaffin Mitchell|publisher=Accuweather|date=28 March 2017|accessdate=23 April 2019|title=Which areas around the world are most prone to tornadoes?|url=https://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/where-are-hotspots-for-tornadoes-outside-of-the-united-states/70001183}}</ref>
The [[Ganges Basin]] to the south of Nepal occasionally sees tornadoes.<ref name="Nature">{{cite journal|author=Smriti Mallapaty|date=12 April 2019|accessdate=23 April 2019|title=Nepali scientists record country's first tornado|journal=Nature|url=https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-019-01159-w|doi=10.1038/d41586-019-01159-w}}</ref> Tornadoes in this region are most common during the pre- and post-[[Monsoon of South Asia|monsoon]] months.<ref name="Bclimo"">{{cite journal |last1=Peterson |first1=R. E. |last2=Mehta |first2=K. C. |title=Climatology of tornadoes of India and Bangladesh |journal= Archives for Meteorology, Geophysics, and Bioclimatology Series B|date=December 1981 |volume=29 |issue=4 |pages=345–356 |doi=10.1007/BF02263310|bibcode=1981AMGBB..29..345P }}</ref> The United States' [[National Centers for Environmental Information]] highlights an increased likelihood of tornadoes from Ganges Basin northwest along the southern slopes of the [[Himalayas]], through Nepal, and into northeastern [[Pakistan]].<ref>{{cite web|publisher=National Centers for Environmental Information|year=2011|accessdate=23 April 2019|title=U.S. Tornado Climatology|url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/climate-information/extreme-events/us-tornado-climatology}}</ref> Reports of tornadoes in this region are primarily clustered in [[Bangladesh]], with only sporadic events farther northwest.<ref name="Bclimo"/> The pre-monsoon months (March to May) display the most favorable conditions for severe weather. During this time, [[convective available potential energy]]—an indicator of [[atmospheric instability]] whereby higher values denote a greater likelihood of thunderstorms—and [[wind shear]] are conducive to the development of rotating thunderstorms.<ref>{{cite journal|author=Yamane|first=Yusuke|last2=Hayashi|first2=Taiichi|last3=Dewan|first3=Ashraf Mahmmood|last4=Akter|first4=Fatima|date=March 2010|title=Severe local convective storms in Bangladesh: Part I. Climatology|url=|journal=Atmospheric Research|volume=95|issue=4|pages=400–406|doi=10.1016/j.atmosres.2009.11.004|via=|bibcode=2010AtmRe..95..400Y}}</ref> Some of the deadliest tornadoes on record occur in these areas; one such [[Daulatpur–Saturia tornado|tornado in 1989]] killed an estimated 1,300&nbsp;people in Bangladesh's [[Manikganj District]].<ref>{{cite news|author=Chaffin Mitchell|publisher=Accuweather|date=28 March 2017|accessdate=23 April 2019|title=Which areas around the world are most prone to tornadoes?|url=https://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/where-are-hotspots-for-tornadoes-outside-of-the-united-states/70001183}}</ref>


==Tornado event==
==Tornado event==

Revision as of 22:51, 29 May 2019

2019 Nepal tornado
Highest winds
  • Estimated 180 to 330 km/h (110 to 210 mph)
Fatalities28 deaths, 1,176 injuries
DamageRs90 million (US$800,000)
Areas affectedBara and Parsa districts, Nepal

On 31 March 2019, a tornado struck the Bara and Parsa districts of Nepal, the first officially recorded tornado in the nation. Located near a small hotspot for tornadoes along the Ganges Basin, Nepal regularly experiences strong thunderstorms in March to May. There have been reports of tornadoes in the lowlands along the Himalayan slopes, most notably in February 1968; however, no official confirmation of these events were made.

The tornado touched down in the Chitwan National Park and traveled along a 90 km (56 mi) path, primarily impacting rural areas south of Kathmandu. It caused 28 deaths, 1,176 suffered injuries, and damaged 1,348 homes and destroyed 1,273 others, in part due to the use of low quality materials in home construction. Emergency aid and response began soon after the disaster, with the Nepalese Army and Nepal Red Cross Society distributing supplies, while hospitals in the affected areas were overwhelmed with the number of injuries.

Background

Prior to the 2019 event, no tornado had ever been officially confirmed in Nepal; the lack of such events is reflected by the Nepali language not having a word for "tornado".[1] However, elderly residents in the Terai have a Maithili and Hindi word for tornado: chakrawat.[2] Nepal has a limited meteorological network and records of past weather events are sparse. Some parts of the country had no log of data prior to 1956. In that year the India Meteorological Department established weather stations, later turning over responsibility to the Nepalese government in 1966. Concerted efforts to steadily expand the observation network began in the 1980s, with 60 rain gauges established by 1985.[3] In 2019, the government built a Doppler weather radar in Surkhet and had plans for two more.[4] Usage of weather balloons was also being tested. Hirohiko Ishikawa, a meteorologist at the Disaster Prevention Research Institute of Kyoto University stated there is a possibility of unrecorded tornadoes in the plains of southeastern of Nepal.[1] A plausible tornado was reported in February 1968: a weather observer recalled a 120 m (390 ft) diameter "pillar of dust and rain" that traveled 0.80 km (0.5 mi) and caused extensive crop damage.[3] Kiran Nepal of the Nepali Times asserts that the 2019 tornado was not the first of its kind and that prior events documented in literature and folklore were overlooked by media.[5]

The Ganges Basin to the south of Nepal occasionally sees tornadoes.[1] Tornadoes in this region are most common during the pre- and post-monsoon months.[6] The United States' National Centers for Environmental Information highlights an increased likelihood of tornadoes from Ganges Basin northwest along the southern slopes of the Himalayas, through Nepal, and into northeastern Pakistan.[7] Reports of tornadoes in this region are primarily clustered in Bangladesh, with only sporadic events farther northwest.[6] The pre-monsoon months (March to May) display the most favorable conditions for severe weather. During this time, convective available potential energy—an indicator of atmospheric instability whereby higher values denote a greater likelihood of thunderstorms—and wind shear are conducive to the development of rotating thunderstorms.[8] Some of the deadliest tornadoes on record occur in these areas; one such tornado in 1989 killed an estimated 1,300 people in Bangladesh's Manikganj District.[9]

Tornado event

Conditions across southern and eastern Nepal favored widespread thunderstorm activity on 31 March – 2 April.[10] A supercell thunderstorm spawned a tornado in the Chitwan National Park on 31 March.[1][2] Traveling along a 90 km (56 mi) path—with 30 km (19 mi) of this visible from space[11]—and reaching a maximum width of 200 m (660 ft), the tornado caused considerable damage in multiple communities in the Bara and Parsa districts.[1] Hardest-hit were the villages of Bharbalia, Parwanipur, and Pheta in Bara.[1] A total of 1,273 homes were destroyed and a further 1,348 sustained damage. The majority of damage took place in Bara where 1,183 homes were destroyed.[12] In some instances, concrete slabs were shifted 50 m (160 ft) and cars were blown away. Numerous trees were snapped and denuded, and a mosque was leveled.[1] The tornado killed 28 people (27 in Bara and 1 in Parsa[13]), injured 1,176, and affected 3,291 families.[14] The majority of fatalities and injuries took place in collapsed structures built from sub-standard materials.[1][5] Some casualties occurred when a tree fell on a bus.[15] 1,505 hectares (3,720 acres) of crops were destroyed and 2,231 hectares (5,510 acres) were damaged. Dozens of livestock and 5,000 hens were killed. Total damage from the tornado and the parent thunderstorm reached Rs90 million (US$800,000).[12]

With no established method for surveying tornadoes, a team of researchers from The Small Earth Nepal and the nation's Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM) collaborated on a review of the damage. Reports of "spinning winds" from locals prompted Archana Shrestha, a meteorologist at the DHM, to investigate. The team conducted a four-day survey of affected towns, documenting and measuring damage. They also utilized imagery from the Sentinel-2 satellite and geolocated social media posts to compile a complete picture. Their results indicated a "weak to moderately strong tornado" with winds between 180 and 330 km/h (110 and 210 mph).[1]

Aftermath

The Government of Nepal declared a state of emergency on 1 April 2019.[16] The Nepalese Army placed a helicopter on standby for relief efforts soon after the tornado; however, continued bad weather inhibited its use. Two ground units were deployed with aid and reached affected communities on the morning of 1 April.[15] The Ministry of Home Affairs provided 468 sets of tents and tarpaulins and 4,138 units of clothing. The Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS) distributed food and emergency items, with the Chitwan District chapter providing 500 kg (1,100 lb) of beaten rice, 150 kg (330 lb) of puffed rice, and 15 cartons of noodles. Victims received Rs300,000 (US$3,000) each as compensation for the loss of a family member and for injury treatment.[17] Province No. 3 provided Rs10 million (US$90,000) to Province No. 2.[4] The Nepalese Army established tent cities to accommodate displaced persons; however, living conditions became difficult with temperatures reaching 34.5 °C (94.1 °F) in the following weeks.[18]

Local hospitals in Bara were overwhelmed with the number of injured persons and ran out of beds. Floor mattresses were used to accommodate additional victims.[15] Kalaiya Hospital in Bara, which was understaffed and without power, received 354 patients; two spinal injury victims were transferred to Kathmandu and eight with head injuries were moved to Birganj.[5] Mountain Heart Nepal established a clinic in Kalaiya and treated 160 people by 4 April.[19] The Parsa chapter of the NRCS collected 300 pints of blood from donation centers to support injury treatment.[17] Humanity & Inclusion distributed mobility aid to assist victims with rehabilitation.[20] Doctors at the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division noted an increased risk of diseases with people left homeless, a lack of clean water, dead animals out in the open, and an abundance of mosquitos.[13]

The disaster highlighted gaps and inefficiencies with the 2017 Disaster Management Act which was passed in response to the catastrophic earthquake in 2015. The National Emergency Operation Centre established Disaster Information Management Systems for 49 types of events; however, this did not include tornadoes. On-the-ground responses also proved to be lacking, with unnecessary aid supplied to victims in the immediate aftermath. Victims were critical of famous people flying into affected regions to take selfies while distributing relief goods. The Patlaiya-Birganj road became jammed with people bringing aid and traveling to view the damage firsthand.[4]

Members of the Canadian Centre for International Studies and Cooperation in Nepal assisted in damage assessment and the needs of victims.[16] With assistance from the Government of Australia and the United Nations Population Fund, WOREC Nepal established psychosocial counseling for women in Devtaal, Parwanipur, Pheta and Suvarna.[14]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Smriti Mallapaty (12 April 2019). "Nepali scientists record country's first tornado". Nature. doi:10.1038/d41586-019-01159-w. Retrieved 23 April 2019.
  2. ^ a b "The new normal". Nepali Times. 5 April 2019. Retrieved 23 April 2019.
  3. ^ a b Norman Thyer (June 1985). "Looking at Western Nepal's Climate". Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society. 66 (6): 645–650. Bibcode:1985BAMS...66..645T. doi:10.1175/1520-0477(1985)066<0645:LAWNC>2.0.CO;2.
  4. ^ a b c Sewa Bhattarai (5 April 2019). "Disastrous management in Nepal". Nepali Times. Retrieved 23 April 2019.
  5. ^ a b c Kiran Nepal (5 April 2019). "Ground zero in Pheta". Nepali Times. Retrieved 23 April 2019.
  6. ^ a b Peterson, R. E.; Mehta, K. C. (December 1981). "Climatology of tornadoes of India and Bangladesh". Archives for Meteorology, Geophysics, and Bioclimatology Series B. 29 (4): 345–356. Bibcode:1981AMGBB..29..345P. doi:10.1007/BF02263310.
  7. ^ "U.S. Tornado Climatology". National Centers for Environmental Information. 2011. Retrieved 23 April 2019.
  8. ^ Yamane, Yusuke; Hayashi, Taiichi; Dewan, Ashraf Mahmmood; Akter, Fatima (March 2010). "Severe local convective storms in Bangladesh: Part I. Climatology". Atmospheric Research. 95 (4): 400–406. Bibcode:2010AtmRe..95..400Y. doi:10.1016/j.atmosres.2009.11.004.
  9. ^ Chaffin Mitchell (28 March 2017). "Which areas around the world are most prone to tornadoes?". Accuweather. Retrieved 23 April 2019.
  10. ^ Nepal - Severe weather (Meteorological Forecasting Division, media) (ECHO Daily Flash of 01 April 2019) (Report). ReliefWeb. 1 April 2019. Retrieved 23 April 2019. {{cite report}}: Unknown parameter |agency= ignored (help)
  11. ^ "What hit Bara, Parsa last week". The Himalayan Times. 6 April 2019. Retrieved 24 April 2019.
  12. ^ a b "Bara-Parsa Tornado Destroyed Property Worth Loss Over Rs. 90 Million: Nepal Govt. Report". Nepal 24 Hours. 15 April 2019. Retrieved 23 April 2019.
  13. ^ a b Arjun Poudei (4 April 2019). "After disaster, Bara and Parsa villages face risks of disease outbreak". The Kathmandu Post. Retrieved 24 April 2019.
  14. ^ a b "Psychosocial counselling services for tornado-affected women". The Himalayan Times. 22 April 2019. Retrieved 24 April 2019.
  15. ^ a b c Suresh Bidari (1 April 2019). "Toll expected to double to 50 in tornado". Nepali Times. Retrieved 23 April 2019.
  16. ^ a b State of Emergency in Nepal Following the Passage of a Storm in the South (Report). ReliefWeb. 1 April 2019. Retrieved 23 April 2019. {{cite report}}: Unknown parameter |agency= ignored (help)
  17. ^ a b Nepal: Windstorm Information bulletin (Report). ReliefWeb. 3 April 2019. Retrieved 24 April 2019. {{cite report}}: Unknown parameter |agency= ignored (help)
  18. ^ Pawan Yadav (16 April 2019). "Rainstorm victims find it difficult to stay in tents in the summer heat". The Kathmandu Post. Retrieved 24 April 2019.
  19. ^ After Deadly Storms in Nepal, Local Doctors Treat Survivors (Report). ReliefWeb. 4 April 2019. Retrieved 24 April 2019. {{cite report}}: Unknown parameter |agency= ignored (help)
  20. ^ Tornado victims receive emergency rehabilitation care (Report). ReliefWeb. 23 April 2019. Retrieved 24 April 2019. {{cite report}}: Unknown parameter |agency= ignored (help)
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