Cyclonic Storm Sitrang[a] (Thai pronunciation:[s̠ɪt̪ɾɑŋ]) was a weak tropical cyclone that affected India and Bangladesh in late October 2022. It was the first cyclone to make landfall in Bangladesh since Cyclone Mora in 2017. Formed on 22 October offshore Andaman and Nicobar Islands, it gradually intensified and peaked as a high-end cyclonic storm before making landfall over Bangladesh close to Barisal by the early hours of 25 October.
Sitrang originated from an area of low pressure near the Bay of Bengal offshore the Andaman and Nicobar Islands on 17 October. During its existence, the IMD designated as "high" the possibility of this low-pressure area turning into depression, according to its first bulletin.[5] Days later, when it was in warm waters and with little wind shear, the IMD classified it as a depression, being called BOB 09, according to the third bulletin. Immediately the JTWC issued a TCFA on the system by 15:00 UTC of 22 October.[5] Hours later, BOB 09 gained momentum and in the agency's fifth bulletin, it was reported that it had turned into a deep depression.[6] On 23 October, the cyclone gained more strength and reached the status of a cyclonic storm, being called Sitrang by the India Meteorological Department which was contributed by Thailand. By 09:00 UTC of 23 October, the JTWC designated the storm as Tropical Storm 05B.[7] As it was predicted to make landfall over Bangladesh, there was a prediction that Sitrang would turn into a severe cyclonic storm, but it did not materialize because of increase in dry air.[8] When it made landfall over Bangladesh close to Patuakhali in Barisal on the early hours of 25 October (local time), the cyclone began to lose strength and was downgraded to a deep Depression. The JTWC issued final warning on the system by 21:00 UTC of October 25.[9] Afterwards, Sitrang continued to weaken and in its thirteenth and final bulletin, IMD declared that the cyclone was downgraded to a low pressure area by 06:00 UTC of 25 October. It dissipated over Northeast India by the same night.[10]
Preparation and impact
Sitrang caused the evacuation of about a million people, resulting in at least 35 deaths[11] and damaging over 20,000 homes in Bangladesh. Flooding and heavy rains were brought on by the cyclone in numerous regions, including the capital Dhaka.[12][13][14] Over 8 million people lost power.[14] In Tripura, the pandals of Kali Puja were severely damaged due to heavy wind and rains.[citation needed] The government reported the agricultural loss of Tk3.5 billion (US$34.4 million).[15]
Aftermath
The Bangladeshi authorities evacuated thousands of people to shelters as the cyclone moved northward from the Bay of Bengal and approached Bangladesh's extensive coastline. The government also requested fishing boats to return from the deep sea and remain anchored in the Bay of Bengal, closed three airports, and stopped all river transportation operations throughout the nation.[12]
^The name was suggested by Thailand, which refers to a native Thai surname.[3] Meanwhile, Sitrang was some say means leaf in Thai.[4]
References
^Tracks of Cyclones and Depressions for the period of Jan-Dec 2022 (PDF) (Report). India Meteorological Department. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
^"Trackfile of 05B.SITRANG". U.S. Naval Research Laboratory. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
^"Where did Sitrang get its name from and what it means? Know how cyclones are named". DNA India. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
^"Cyclone Sitrang: What to know?". The Daily Star. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
^ ab"TC Advisory" (PDF). Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre for Tropical Cyclones Over North Indian Ocean. 23 October 2022.
^"Deep Depression Over Westcentral & Adjoining Eastcentral Bay of Bengal (Cyclone Alert: West Bengal Coast)" (PDF). Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre for Tropical Cyclones Over North Indian Ocean.
^"Cyclonic Storm Sitrang Over Westcentral and Adjoining Eastcentral Bay of Bengal Pronounced as 'Si-Trang'" (PDF). Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre for Tropical Cyclones Over North Indian Ocean.
^"Cyclonic Storm 'Sitrang' (pronounced as 'Si-Trang') over North Bay of Bengal (Cyclone Warning for West Bengal coast: Orange Message)" (PDF). Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre for Tropical Cyclones Over North Indian Ocean.
^"Deep Depression Over Bangladesh (Remnant of Cyclonic Storm 'Sitrang', Pronounced as 'Si-Trang') Weakened Into a Depression Over Northeast Bangladesh and Neighbourhood" (PDF). Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre for Tropical Cyclones Over North Indian Ocean.
^"Depression Weakened Into a Well Marked Low Pressure Area Over Northeast Bangladesh and Adjoining Meghalaya" (PDF). Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre for Tropical Cyclones Over North Indian Ocean.
^"Cyclone Sitrang kills 35 in Bangladesh: Officials". The Times of India. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
^ ab"Photos: Thousands evacuated as cyclone hits Bangladesh". Al Jazeera.
^"Cyclone Sitrang: 24 dead as Bangladesh seeks to restore power to millions". The Guardian. 26 October 2022.
^ abGilbert, Mary (27 October 2022). "Deadly tropical cyclone unleashes months' worth of rain in Bangladesh". accuweather.com.
^"'1.5 lakh farmers lost Tk 350 crore for Sitrang'". The Daily Star. 31 October 2022. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression
