The 2022 North Indian Ocean cyclone season was a somewhat above-average period of annual tropical cyclone formation. Although there are no official boundaries to a season, most systems form between April and December, with two peaks in May and November. The first storm, Deep Depression ARB 01, formed on April 7, marking the start of the season. In the basin's first bout of activity, two storms were given the names Asani and Sitrang, respectively. Both impacted the same region of India, specifically Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, and they cumulatively killed 82 people and caused several billions of dollars in damage. After Deep Depression BOB 03 lost its tropical cyclone status, only one more storm formed prior to October, designated BOB 04.
Another five storms formed from October onwards, beginning with Cyclone Mandous. The storm caused $675 million in damage due to its passage just north of Mumbai, making landfall as a hurricane-equivalent system. The strongest storm of the season, Mocha, became an intense category 4-equivalent storm and eventually struck the southeastern portion of India after weakening considerably, though damage was not as severe as expected. The following storm, Biparjoy, affected Socotra Island and made landfall near the Yemen-Oman border. Cyclone Tej and Deep Depression ARB 04 were, respectively, the final named storm and final overall storm of the season; however, the latter caused no known impacts to land.
The North Indian Ocean is located east of the Horn of Africa and west of the Malay Peninsula and is confined to the Northern Hemisphere. Within the basin are two main seas, the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. The former is located to the west of the Indian subcontinent and is given the abbreviation ARB, while the latter is to the east of the subcontinent and is abbreviated BOB. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) is the basin's Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre (RSMC), although the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) also issues unofficial advisories. Each year typically sees the formation of 4 to 6 cyclonic storms.
Seasonal summary[]
The 2022 North Indian Ocean cyclone season opened up with the formation of Deep Depression ARB 01, which formed on April 7; it remained off the coast of southern India and caused very little damage as a tropical cyclone. The depression soon degenerated into a low on the 9th, leading to a one-month period with no more storms. May featured two tropical cyclones, the first being Cyclone Asani; it ultimately reached category 1 intensity and struck Andhra Pradesh close to peak strength, rapidly weakening thereafter. Later in the month came Cyclone Sitrang, which made landfall over a similar area, worsening flooding and hampering efforts to clean up after Asani's landfall a few weeks prior. Deep Depression BOB 03 came after and struck a farther-south part of India, inducing localized flash flooding. As annual South Asian monsoon conditions began to prevail in June, very little tropical development occurred thereafter, save for a brief and weak, but unusual, depression that formed in the central Bay of Bengal in July.
The next storm to form, Mandous, did so on October 3; located in the Arabian Sea, it struck western India just north of Mumbai. It remained a tropical cyclone over land for another 30 hours before finally losing its tropical characteristics over central India. Come late October, Depression BOB 05 intensified into Cyclone Mocha, ultimately attaining the title of an extremely severe cyclonic storm. With peak 3-minute winds clocking at 195 km/h (120 mph) and a minimum pressure of 948 hPa (27.99 inHg), it was by far the strongest tropical cyclone in the season. As Mocha neared its demise, Cyclone Biparjoy formed out of a low and went on to impact the southeastern Arabian Peninsula as a cyclonic storm. The last named storm of the season, Tej, struck southern Bangladesh and caused gusty conditions. A few weeks later, Deep Depression ARB 04 meandered westward through the southern Arabian Sea without impacting any land, dissipating on December 2 and therefore concluding the season.
Systems[]
Deep Depression ARB 01[]
| Deep depression (IMD) | |
  | |
| Duration | April 7 – April 9 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 55 km/h (35 mph) (3-min) 998 hPa (mbar) |
In early April, an area of low pressure formed in the western Bay of Bengal. It gradually drifted westward, eventually moving over southern India and emerging into open waters over the Arabian Sea. The IMD acknowledged the possibility of tropical cyclone formation due to warm ocean temperatures, though high shear was expected to prevent much further intensification. On April 7, the IMD designated the system as Depression ARB 01. Its thunderstorm activity continued to remain clustered near the center of circulation despite wind shear, and it soon strengthened to a deep depression. It maintained a relatively slow northwestward motion, though eventually a further increase in shear halted any more organization. Starting on the latter half of April 8, the depression's structure began to deteriorate, with convective coverage decreasing over the course of the next several hours. Ultimately, the system degenerated back into a low on April 9 and dissipated the following day.
The precursor to the depression dropped moderate rainfall over the southern tip of India and northern Sri Lanka, with accumulations being observed up to 125 mm (5 inches). Overall damage added up to $39 million, with 11 deaths.
Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Asani[]
| Very severe cyclonic storm (IMD) | |
| Category 1 tropical cyclone (SSHWS) | |
  | |
| Duration | May 10 – May 14 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 120 km/h (75 mph) (3-min) 984 hPa (mbar) |
- Main article: Cyclone Asani (Zeta)
On May 8, a low-pressure area formed over the Andaman Sea. It slowly tracked westward, soon entering the Bay of Bengal; shortly thereafter, the JTWC issued a TCFA on the system. On May 9, the IMD designated it as Depression BOB 01, eventually upgrading it to deep depression status the following day. At the same time, the JTWC began to track it as a tropical cyclone. Midday on the 11th, the IMD upgraded it to cyclonic storm status, giving it the name Asani. A relative lack of wind shear allowed the storm to enter a robust intensification trend, with it attaining severe cyclonic storm status after another 18 hours. Furthermore, Asani's status was raised to category 1 strength by the JTWC at 12:00 UTC on May 12, as the storm had become increasingly well-organized and 1-minute sustained winds were estimated to have been in excess of 140 km/h (85 mph). The storm intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm the same day and maintained such intensity over the next day or so. At about 23:00 UTC on May 13, Asani made landfall over the northern tip of Andhra Pradesh near peak intensity, harboring a central pressure of 986 hPa (29.12 inHg). The storm weakened quickly afterwards, falling to a deep depression within 24 hours and dissipating entirely near the Odisha-Telangana border.
Asani caused significant rainfall accumulation across Andhra Pradesh, leading to dangerous flash flooding and some landslides. In coastal areas, damage was worsened by moderate storm surge and high winds from the system's eyewall. A few places recorded gusts over 155 km/h (100 mph), leading to many uprooted trees. Cumulatively, it cost $1.1 billion in damages and caused 23 deaths.
Cyclonic Storm Sitrang[]
| Cyclonic storm (IMD) | |
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
  | |
| Duration | May 25 – May 27 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 75 km/h (45 mph) (3-min) 993 hPa (mbar) |
- Main article: Cyclone Sitrang (Zeta)
In mid-to-late May, a low-pressure area developed in the eastern Bay of Bengal and moved northwest, though it initially struggled to organize due to vertical wind shear. The shear slowly let up over the course of the following day, leading to it ultimately coalescing into Depression BOB 02 at 06:00 UTC on May 25. The JTWC concurrently tracked the system, with it also upgrading the storm to a depression later that day. Continuously favorable environmental conditions enabled further intensification, causing the IMD to upgrade it to deep depression status at 00:00 UTC on the 26th. Later that day, it was further upgraded to a cyclonic storm and was given the name Sitrang. The system briefly attained a peak intensity with 3-minute sustained winds of 75 km/h (45 mph), though it soon began to weaken as it encountered further shear near the coast. At approximately 02:00 UTC on the 27th, Sitrang made landfall over southeastern Odisha at minimal cyclonic storm intensity; thereafter, its wind speed quickly diminished over land, with it quickly falling to deep depression status again. Within another 12 hours, it had degenerated into a remnant low and continued to spin down while pushing further inland.
Since Cyclonic Storm Sitrang made landfall near the site at which Asani did a few weeks earlier, it worsened damage and delayed prior cleanup efforts. In addition, it added more significant rainfall to an already-saturated region, meaning that despite the storm's lower intensity, flooding was overall more substantial. As the arrival of the monsoon came the following month, further rain and moisture compounded onto previous accumulation throughout June and July. The storm itself dropped an estimated 100–150 mm (4–6 in) of rain, though totals peaked at over 250 mm (10 in). Gusty conditions also resulted from the storm, though the strongest winds were confined to a compact area around the center. In all, it resulted in $2.4 billion in damages, with 59 deaths occurring.
Deep Depression BOB 03[]
| Deep depression (IMD) | |
  | |
| Duration | June 3 – June 4 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 55 km/h (35 mph) (3-min) 1001 hPa (mbar) |
An area of convection in the southern Bay of Bengal drifted slowly northwestward, steadily organizing in an only marginally-favorable environment. Its circulation and convective organization improved as time went on, prompting the IMD to designate it as Depression BOB 03 at 12:00 UTC on June 3. Although not initially forecast to do so due to cooler waters along the way, the system continued to intensify up to landfall. It was upgraded to deep depression status 6 hours later, possessing 3-minute sustained winds of 55 km/h (35 mph); it maintained this intensity up to landfall, moving ashore over the southern half of Andhra Pradesh. The deep depression quickly weakened afterwards, being downgraded back to a low at 12:00 UTC on the 4th. However, BOB 03's remnants and convection continued inland for another day or so.
Heavy rainfall associated with the storm caused moderate flash flooding across the region, furthermore triggering landslides. Accumulations up to 400 mm (16 in) occurred over the course of the storm's passage, though the most torrential rainfall remained in a relatively localized area. In all, it caused $41 million in damages and was responsible for 9 fatalities.
Depression BOB 04[]
| Depression (IMD) | |
  | |
| Duration | July 23 – July 23 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 45 km/h (30 mph) (3-min) 1004 hPa (mbar) |
A low formed west of the Andaman Islands on July 20. Though development was not expected due to very strong vertical wind shear, it began to organize somewhat, gradually developing some centralized convection. The JTWC did not track it as a tropical cyclone but gave it a small chance of developing into one; however, advisories were never issued from the agency. On July 23, in contrast, the IMD briefly recognized it as a depression for 12 hours, giving it the designation BOB 04. At its peak, it had 3-minute sustained winds of 45 km/h (30 mph) with a minimum central pressure of 1004 hPa (29.65 inHg). However, as shear continued to take its toll on the storm, it almost immediately began to weaken, with the IMD considering it to have lost its tropical characteristics at 18:00 UTC. The remnants of BOB 04 continued moving northeastward in a sluggish, but erratic, manner, later contributing to rainfall across Bangladesh and eastern India.
Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Mandous[]
| Very severe cyclonic storm (IMD) | |
| Category 1 tropical cyclone (SSHWS) | |
  | |
| Duration | October 3 – October 8 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 140 km/h (85 mph) (3-min) 977 hPa (mbar) |
- Main article: Cyclone Mandous (Zeta)
In late September, a low pressure area formed west of southern India and was monitored for potential tropical cyclogenesis. Though development was initially slow, the JTWC issued a TCFA on the system on October 2, and the IMD designated it Depression ARB 02 at 00:00 UTC the next day. Despite its relatively broad circulation, it tightened up as time went on, allowing a faster rate of intensification as it entered warmer waters. The storm was upgraded to a deep depression at 06:00 UTC on the 3rd, and the JTWC soon recognized it as a tropical storm. The IMD also marked it as a cyclonic storm early on October 4, giving it the name Mandous. It turned northeastward towards India and entered a robust intensification phase, attaining severe cyclonic storm status 12 hours later. Another half-day afterwards, Mandous became a very severe cyclonic storm, and the JTWC shortly upgraded it to category 1 tropical cyclone strength. A quick drop-off in ocean warmth and an increase in shear caused it to level off some, though it still gradually intensified for the next day. At 18:00 UTC on the 5th, the storm attained its peak intensity featuring 3-minute sustained winds of 140 km/h (85 mph) and a pressure of 977 hPa (28.85 inHg). Increasingly higher shear present near land caused Mandous to slowly weaken up to landfall, eventually striking land just north of Mumbai with winds clocking at 120 km/h (75 mph). Afterwards, the cyclone quickly weakened, becoming a deep depression 24 hours later and dissipating entirely over central India.
Maharashtra was moderately impacted by the storm, experiencing storm surge and strong gusts up to about 175 km/h (110 mph) in areas closest to the storm's center. Rainfall totals were generally very heavy across the region, and it is estimated that the storm resulted in about $675 million in damages; it also caused 8 fatalities.
Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm Mocha[]
| Extremely severe cyclonic storm (IMD) | |
| Category 4 tropical cyclone (SSHWS) | |
  | |
| Duration | October 20 – October 25 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 195 km/h (120 mph) (3-min) 948 hPa (mbar) |
- Main article: Cyclone Mocha (Zeta)
In mid-October, an area of convection formed in the northeastern Bay of Bengal. Because of notably warm ocean temperatures and little shear in its path, it managed to organize, with the JTWC issuing a TCFA on the system early on the 20th. The IMD then designated it Depression BOB 05 at 18:00 UTC on the same day, eventually upgrading it to a deep depression twelve hours later. At this time, the JTWC also began to acknowledge the system as a tropical cyclone. At 12:00 UTC on the 21st, the IMD further upgraded it to a cyclonic storm, thereby giving it the name Mocha. It continued to intensify at a very quick pace, developing an eye feature early on October 22; shortly thereafter, it reached severe, and soon, very severe cyclonic storm strength. Mocha's rapid intensification continued until ultimately becoming an extremely severe cyclonic storm at 06:00 UTC on the 23rd. At peak, it contained 3-minute sustained winds of 195 km/h (120 mph) and 1-minute sustained winds of category 4 intensity on the Saffir-Simpson scale. Due to very favorable environmental conditions, it managed to clear out a small circular eye surrounded by very cold cloud tops; however, the storm soon degraded due to a failed eyewall replacement cycle and the entrainment of dry air, with its wind speed dropping to category 3-equivalent shortly after. Mocha continued to weaken as it approached southeastern India, ultimately making landfall over Tamil Nadu as a severe cyclonic storm, with 3-minute sustained winds clocking at 100 km/h (65 mph). Thereafter, it weakened further, with the IMD declaring it a deep depression 12 hours later. Late on October 25, Mocha degenerated into a low and eventually dissipated just offshore.
Though significant effects were observed in northern Sri Lanka and in Tamil Nadu, damage was not as severe as anticipated because the storm weakened faster than forecast. Near peak intensity, the storm caused large swells along the coast, though little damage resulted from them. At landfall, strong winds led to numerous landslides and mudslides that, coupled with flooding, proved destructive. In all, 31 people perished and damage added up to $442 million.
Severe Cyclonic Storm Biparjoy[]
| Severe cyclonic storm (IMD) | |
| Category 1 tropical cyclone (SSHWS) | |
  | |
| Duration | October 24 – October 27 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 100 km/h (65 mph) (3-min) 986 hPa (mbar) |
- Main article: Cyclone Biparjoy (Zeta)
A low formed in the western Arabian Sea on October 19. Because of mostly favorable environmental conditions, it began to develop tropical characteristics and was eventually classified as Depression ARB 03 by the IMD on the 24th. The JTWC also designated it as a tropical cyclone later that day, just when the IMD had upgraded it to deep depression status. At 06:00 UTC on the 25th, it was named Cyclonic Storm Biparjoy; on its approach towards the Arabian Peninsula, it passed northeast of Socotra Island. Warm waters continued to fuel intensification, allowing it to ultimately peak as a severe cyclonic storm with 3-minute sustained winds of 100 km/h (65 mph). The JTWC also upgraded Biparjoy to minimal category 1 tropical cyclone status briefly, though it soon leveled off. For the remainder of its time over water, it gradually weakened as it encountered a less favorable environment mostly characterized by cooler waters. The storm eventually made landfall over extreme southwestern Oman and rapidly unraveled afterwards. Just 6 hours later, Biparjoy fell to a deep depression and ultimately lost tropical cyclone status late on the 27th.
The storm was responsible for widespread torrential rainfall and coastal flooding, though the extent of the strongest winds was limited. Nevertheless, it led to many downed trees and power lines that cut power to thousands of people. Overall, it cost $189 million and resulted in 6 fatalities.
Cyclonic Storm Tej[]
| Cyclonic storm (IMD) | |
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
  | |
| Duration | November 11 – November 12 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 75 km/h (45 mph) (3-min) 995 hPa (mbar) |
- Main article: Cyclone Tej (Zeta)
An area of convection over eastern India moved offshore and was monitored for possible development in early November. It moved in the direction of southern Bangladesh and began to undergo tropical cyclogenesis, prompting the JTWC to issue a TCFA on it a few days after moving into the Bay of Bengal. Later on, according to the IMD, it organized into a depression midday on November 11, being given the designation BOB 06. Due to high moisture and warm waters in its path, it managed to swiftly intensify, reaching deep depression strength 12 hours later. Furthermore, it was upgraded to a cyclonic storm and was given the name Tej at 00:00 UTC on the 12th, and it continued to show signs of organization while approaching the coast. Tej's intensity reached an apex of 75 km/h (45 mph), accompanied by a minimum central pressure of 995 hPa (29.38 inHg), just as it moved ashore near Kuakata. Thereafter, quick weakening ensued, with it degenerating into a remnant low in the next 12 hours. However, the storm's remnant convection lasted inland for another day or so, causing more rain across the remainder of Bangladesh and parts of Myanmar.
Rainfall from Cyclonic Storm Tej amounted to 150 mm (6 in) in various areas. This accumulation, combined with wind gusts of up to 100 km/h (65 mph), led to notable effects in eastern India, Bangladesh, and Myanmar, consisting of $73 million in damage. Along with this, 4 deaths occurred.
Deep Depression ARB 04[]
| Deep depression (IMD) | |
| Tropical depression (SSHWS) | |
  | |
| Duration | November 30 – December 2 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 55 km/h (35 mph) (3-min) 1000 hPa (mbar) |
The IMD tracked a disturbance in the southern Arabian Sea towards the end of the November. Although moderate vertical wind shear was expected to prevent it from becoming strong, it was still given a chance of forming into a weak tropical cyclone. Eventually, on November 29, the JTWC issued a TCFA on the system because it had shown significant organization over the past day. The IMD soon classified it as Depression ARB 04 on the 30th, with the JTWC also designating it as a tropical cyclone later that day. Although the depression had mostly struggled to organize further as a result of said shear, it did manage to slightly intensify to attain winds of 55 km/h (35 mph), thus meaning it was upgraded to a deep depression by the IMD. However, its wind speed soon began to decrease, and the persistent shear displaced much of its storm activity; it was unable to compensate for the lost convection, leading to it having an exposed circulation. According to both agencies, its convection had become no longer sufficient for tropical cyclone status on December 2, as they both ceased advisories on that day.
Storm names[]
Within the basin, tropical cyclones are given names when their winds exceed 65 km/h (40 mph), thus reaching cyclonic storm status. Names are not retired because each name is only used once; afterwards, another naming list is created. If named systems cross into this basin from the Western Pacific, they keep their original names. The following names were used during the 2022 season.
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Season effects[]
Below is a table of every storm that formed in the 2022 North Indian Ocean cyclone season, including their names, damage, duration, and death tolls. Deaths include both direct and indirect fatalities (one example of an indirect death would be a death caused from preparing for the storm). All damage and death totals include when the storm system was extratropical, a wave, or a low, and peak intensities are shown according to the IMD's scale. Every damage figure is in 2022 USD.
| Name | Dates active | Peak classification | Sustained wind speeds |
Pressure | Areas affected | Damage (USD) |
Deaths | Refs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARB 01 | April 7 – 9 | Deep depression | 55 km/h (35 mph) | 998 hPa (29.47 inHg) | Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Sri Lanka | $39 million | 11 | |
| Asani | May 10 – 14 | Very severe cyclonic storm | 120 km/h (75 mph) | 984 hPa (29.06 inHg) | Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Telangana | $1.1 billion | 23 | |
| Sitrang | May 25 – 27 | Cyclonic storm | 75 km/h (45 mph) | 993 hPa (29.32 inHg) | Andhra Pradesh, Odisha | $2.4 billion | 59 | |
| BOB 03 | June 3 – 4 | Deep depression | 55 km/h (35 mph) | 1001 hPa (29.56 inHg) | Andhra Pradesh | $41 million | 9 | |
| BOB 04 | July 23 | Depression | 45 km/h (30 mph) | 1004 hPa (29.65 inHg) | Andaman Islands, West Bengal, Bangladesh | None | None | |
| Mandous | October 3 – 8 | Very severe cyclonic storm | 140 km/h (85 mph) | 977 hPa (28.85 inHg) | Maharashtra, Gujarat | $675 million | 8 | |
| Mocha | October 20 – 25 | Extremely severe cyclonic storm | 195 km/h (120 mph) | 948 hPa (27.99 inHg) | Tamil Nadu, Sri Lanka | $442 million | 31 | |
| Biparjoy | October 24 – 27 | Severe cyclonic storm | 100 km/h (65 mph) | 986 hPa (29.12 inHg) | Yemen, Oman | $189 million | 6 | |
| Tej | November 11 – 12 | Cyclonic storm | 75 km/h (45 mph) | 995 hPa (29.38 inHg) | Northeast India, Bangladesh, Myanmar | $73 million | 4 | |
| ARB 04 | November 30 – December 2 | Deep depression | 55 km/h (35 mph) | 1000 hPa (29.53 inHg) | None | None | None | |
| Season aggregates | ||||||||
| 10 systems | April 7 – December 2 | 195 km/h (120 mph) | 948 hPa (27.99 inHg) | $4.959 billion | 151 | |||
See also[]
- Tropical cyclones in 2022 (Zeta)
- 2022 Atlantic hurricane season (Zeta)
- 2022 Pacific hurricane season (Zeta)
- 2022 Pacific typhoon season (Zeta)
- South-West Indian Ocean cyclone seasons: 2021-22, 2022-23
- Australian region cyclone seasons: 2021-22, 2022-23
- South Pacific cyclone seasons: 2021-22, 2022-23