The 1963 North Indian Ocean cyclone season had no bounds, but cyclones tend to form between April and December, with peaks in May and November. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the northern Indian Ocean. There are two main seas in the North Indian Ocean—the Bay of Bengal to the east of the Indian subcontinent and the Arabian Sea to the west of India. The official Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre in this basin is the India Meteorological Department (IMD), while the Joint Typhoon Warning Center releases unofficial advisories. An average of four to six storms form in the North Indian Ocean every season with peaks in May and November.[1] Cyclones occurring between the meridians 45°E and 100°E are included in the season by the IMD.[2]
Season Summary
Systems
Deep Depression One
Deep depression (IMD)
Tropical depression (SSHWS)
Duration
January 3 – January 5
Peak intensity
45 km/h (30 mph) (3-min);
This tropical depression stalled for three days.[3]
On May 19, a tropical disturbance formed over the Laccadive Islands, before tracking northwest towards the Arabian peninsula. The system achieved cyclone intensity on May 22. On May 24, a United States Weather Bureaureconnaissance aircraft flew into the 19 km (12 mi) eye of the storm, encountering winds of 193 km/h (120 mph).[4] A ship 111 kilometres (69 mi) west of the system reported winds of 68 knots (126 km/h). At Salalah, a strong northerly wind set in during the morning of May 25. Later in the day, winds increased to gale force and a sandstorm reduced visibility to 400 metres (1,300 ft). Later in the day of May 26 winds again increased to gale force and another sandstorm reduced visibility to 500 metres (1,600 ft). As winds increased to 60 knots (110 km/h) the sandstorm became more severe, with visibility restricted to 50 metres (160 ft). Late on the night of the 26th, winds shifted to northeast and heavy rains fell across the region through the morning hours. Skies remained cloudy with periods of rain into May 28. A total of 230 millimetres (9.1 in) was recorded at Salalah.[5][6][7]
An estimated 22,000 people were reported to have died, while a further 500,000 were left homeless.[8]
One of the strongest cyclones ever recorded in the Northern Indian Ocean. Had the lowest known pressure in the basin until it was surpassed by the 1991 Bangladesh cyclone.[9] Killed 11,520 people in Bangladesh.[10]
At least 15 people were killed by flooding triggered by the depression in Orissa.[16] The storm was formerly in the Western Pacific as an unnamed CMA tropical depression.
Significant damage and flooding took place in India, with some loss of life reported.[19] The storm was classified under two different designations, but was reanalyzed to be one system.[20]
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