Cyclone Hudhud

On 6 October, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) began tracking a low-pressure area that formed over the Gulf of Thailand as a result of a cyclonic circulation. On 7 October, the low-pressure area strengthened into a depression over the northern Andaman Sea. It further strengthened into a deep depression later that day as it moved westwards. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) also began tracking the system on 8 October, designating it as tropical cyclone 03B. Later that day, it strengthened into Cyclonic Storm Hudhud before making its first landfall on Long Island in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Hudhud continued intensifying as it emerged into the eastern Bay of Bengal on 9 October and intensified into a severe cyclonic storm later that day with a minimum three-minute sustained central pressure of . Increased curved banding was also noted that day. On 10 October, Hudhud strengthened into a very severe cyclonic storm with a three-minute sustained central pressure of . Early on October 11, Hudhud entered the radar range of Visakhapatnam while continuing to move northwestwards toward the coast of Andhra Pradesh. Curved banding increased and the appearance of an eye was noted. Amid favorable conditions that day, Hudhud underwent rapid intensification, with a clearly visible eye as it approached northern Andhra Pradesh. Its minimum central pressure was . It maintained its intensity as it stalled southeast of Visakhapatnam. Hudhud made its second and final landfall near Visakhapatnam at peak intensity during the afternoon of 12 October. After moving over land, Hudhud weakened into a severe cyclonic storm and then a cyclonic storm northwest of Visakhapatnam. It weakened into a deep depression the following day over southern Chhattisgarh. It further weakened into a depression that evening over central Chhattisgarh and persisted northward, degenerating into a low pressure area on 14 October over eastern Uttar Pradesh. The weakening remnants of Hudhud then merged with an upper-level trough, resulting in an interaction over the Himalayas which produced a heavy amount of moisture. == Preparations ==

On 9 October, the IMD placed areas of northern Andhra Pradesh and southern Odisha under a heavy rainfall warning. Across both states, 44 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams and eight rescue teams were mobilized. Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed readiness and response efforts with high-ranking officials in a meeting on 11 October. In Odisha, district officials were told to prepare kitchens and store dry food supplies. Ten Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) teams were sent out and preparations were made to evacuate those living in unsafe houses. Panic buying also occurred in the state on 8 October. Emergency response teams were mobilized for railways. Indian Railways considered rerouting or cancelling 75 trains in the South Central Railway zone. In Andhra Pradesh, 111,000 people living in coastal districts were evacuated, 370 relief camps were readied, and two months' worth of food was stocked. A cricket match between the Indian and West Indies cricket team, set to be played in Visakhapatnam on 14 October, was cancelled. ==Impact==

India Andhra Pradesh Strong winds shattered glass and left debris strewn across roads in Visakhapatnam. A storm surge wore down parts of the city's shoreline. Damage to it was estimated at . The Visakhapatnam Steel Plant lost power from 12–16 October, halting operations and causing losses of about . Operations at the headquarters of the Eastern Naval Command were disrupted, and the Indian Navy incurred losses of . of surrounding walls and several enclosures were destroyed at the Indira Gandhi Zoological Park, allowing some animals to roam unrestricted. Over 2,000 downed trees cluttered the facility, creating hindrances to navigation and harming animals. The zoo reopened on 11 November after the restoration of 65 enclosures and clearing of felled trees and debris. Local police and NDRF members rescued residents trapped in vehicles on highways. At least of roads were affected, leaving 73 villages isolated for up to 2 days. Power outages exhausted suppliers' existing bottled water inventory. 41,269 houses and of cropland were impacted across the state. The cyclone caused 46 deaths and 43 injuries in Andhra Pradesh; 2,446,532 livestock—2,831 larger animals and 2,443,701 poultry—also died. Out of the of crops that were affected, lost more than half of their contents. 670 livestock were killed. The Vamsadhara River crested at on 13 October near Kashinagar, above the danger level of . Elsewhere In the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Hudhud downed trees, forcing the closing of the Andaman Trunk Road on 8 October. In Uttar Pradesh, rainfall killed 18 and caused damage to homes and crops. On 14 October in Lucknow, a record of rain fell, flooding multiple areas in the city. Accompanying strong winds damaged power lines, causing widespread power outages. Torrential rainfall in Bihar killed three and injured 50. In West Bengal, Hudhud caused minimal damage. Hotels in coastal towns such as Digha were filled up by an influx of tourists who wanted to observe the cyclone. The Sundarbans as well as a few districts in the state saw heavy rainfall. Minor rainfall and flooding occurred in Bangladesh. Nepal On 14 October, the remnants of Hudhud caused severe avalanches and blizzards following a merger with an upper-level trough. By 18 October, 384 trekkers had been rescued from Mount Annapurna. The mountain received of snow in the span of 12 hours. On 19 October, the search for survivors ended, with close to 400 having been rescued. Many survivors were frostbitten following their rescue, requiring amputation of limbs. ==Aftermath==

In Visakhapatnam, 12 NDRF teams worked to clean up fallen trees and debris on roads and 5,000 workers from power companies worked to restore electricity in the city on 14 October. Higher temperatures in the city in the months following the cyclone caused a 60 percent decrease in its bird population as they moved elsewhere or died. Andhra Pradesh's chief minister, N. Chandrababu Naidu, said that 70% of communications were down and urged residents to remain in their homes. To assist with relief efforts, 24 NDRF and 155 medical teams were sent to the affected areas. The Indian Navy led a military operation named Lehar to help citizens affected by Hudhud and placed 20 rescue teams in Visakhapatnam, while the Indian Army sent 25 rescue teams. The Indian Coast Guard sent 17 ships, and the Indian Air Force readied seven aircraft. Equipped with night glasses and other supplies, 300 members of the ODRAF worked on clearing uprooted large trees and poles from roads. Naidu sought from the central government, while the government of Odisha sought and also requested a team to assess damages in the state. According to a United Nations report in 2015, Hudhud caused $11 billion in damages. ==See also==