Cyclone Bingiza
Encyclopedia
Cyclone Bingiza was the only named storm
to make landfall
in the inactive 2010–11 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
. The second of three storms, Bingiza developed on February 9 to the northeast of Madagascar
. For a few days it meandered generally southwestward, failing to intensify significantly. On February 12, the storm began a steady westward track as environmental conditions became more favorable. In a 24–hour period, Bingiza developed from a moderate tropical storm into an intense tropical cyclone with a well-defined eye
. After attaining peak 10–minute sustained winds of 165 km/h (105 mph), the cyclone moved ashore in northeastern Madagascar on February 14 and quickly weakened as it crossed the country. It emerged into the Mozambique Channel
as a weak tropical disturbance, and it turned southward to move across western Madagascar. Bingiza attained tropical storm status before making its final landfall near Morondava
, dissipating on February 18.
Across Madagascar, the cyclone killed at least 22 people and injured 13 others. High winds destroyed 25,464 houses, which left 25,845 people homeless. Bingiza first affected the Masoala National Park
, destroying half of a village and leaving it isolated. High winds and heavy rainfall left over 500 km2km (195 mi2) of damaged crops, which increased food prices and threatened the economic livelihoods of the affected people.
. At the time, the system consisted of a poorly-defined circulation, located in an area of low wind shear
. It moved west-southwestward along the northern periphery of a ridge
, and its convection gradually became more organized over the center. On February 9, Météo-France
(MF) classified the system as Tropical Disturbance 5, and six hours later upgraded it to a tropical depression. Shortly thereafter, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center
(JTWC) issued a tropical cyclone formation alert
after convective banding and outflow
increased. Following intensification of the depression into a moderate tropical storm, MF advised the Madagascan Weather Service to name the storm as Bingiza which they did late on February 9.
Upon becoming a tropical storm, Bingiza was located in an area of weak steering currents, which resulted in a slow, meandering motion toward the southwest. Its motion turned to the south on February 10, with conditions only marginally favorable for further intensification. After two days of meandering without strengthening, Bingiza turned to the southwest on due to a building ridge to its southwest toward Madagascar. Around the same time, upper-level conditions began improving, which allowed the convection to increase in coverage. Based on the improved appearance, MF upgraded Bingiza to a severe tropical storm at 0600 UTC on February 12 about 335 km (210 mi) east of the coast of Madagascar. Later that day an eye
became apparent on satellite imagery, signaling the beginning of a rapid deepening
trend. Late on February 12, MF upgraded Bingiza to tropical cyclone intensity, which is the equivalent of a hurricane or typhoon. With minimal wind shear and warm waters, the agency forecast the cyclone to intensify further to peak 10–sustained winds of 195 km/h (120 mph). Continuing to strengthen, Bingiza attained 10 minute sustained winds of 165 km/h (105 mph) early on February 13, making it an intense tropical cyclone. Similarly, the JTWC estimated peak 1 minute sustained winds of 185 km/h (115 mph), noting a contracting eye 37 km (23 mi) in diameter in the process of an eyewall replacement cycle
.
Despite initial forecasts, the cyclone failed to strengthen further due to interaction with Madagascar. Early on February 14, Bingiza made landfall
along the Masoala Peninsula
with winds of at least 150 km/h (90 mph). It emerged into the Antongil Bay
, before moving ashore north of Manambolosy
. It quickly weakened over land, although it produced heavy rainfall along its northern periphery. Early on February 15, Bingiza weakened to a tropical depression. The center became difficult to locate over land, although it emerged into the Mozambique Channel
north of Besalampy
as a tropical disturbance. After moving over waters, the system was able to re-intensify due to favorable water temperatures and inflow
. It quickly organized into a tropical depression again, although strengthening was halted after it turned southward over western Madagascar due to a ridge to its north. It again moved into the Mozambique Channel, and Bingiza re-intensified into a tropical storm on February 17. The storm developed a concentrated area of convection near the center, as well as a poorly-defined eye. The re-intensification was short-lived after Bingiza made its final landfall just south of Morondava
around 1330 UTC on February 17. Around that time, the circulation was dissipating over land, and its remnants left the island on February 19.
, located along the Masoala peninsula, the cyclone destroyed half of the buildings as well as the roads and bridges, leaving it only accessible by boat. The cyclone affected five districts
, primarily Mananara Nord
. There, an early report indicated that 80% of the houses were destroyed, along with one hospital and four other health facilities. The high winds caused heavy crop damage, including to rice and banana, which left minimal food supplies in some areas. The vanilla crop was also severely affected, and the mayor of Mananara was uncertain whether any of the crop could be harvested. Bingiza struck at what one relief worker described as the "worst time of year for a cyclone", because many farmers were unable to replant their damaged crops. The cyclone damaged 40% of the food crops and 10% of the cash crops in Manambolosy, as well as 70% of the food crops in Antanambaobe. Overall, the cyclone destroyed 405.23 km2 (156.46 mi2) of rice fields, as well as 101.67 km2 (39.26 mi2) of other crops. The cyclone also damaged the road infrastructure in Mananara, which made it difficult to transport fish in the region to other areas of the country. The resulting crop and road damage resulted in increased food prices.
Across its path, Bingiza destroyed 25,464 houses and damaged 36 schools. Overall, the damage was less than expected, given the strength of the cyclone. Most of the damage occurred due to the poor infrastructure and drainage systems of Madagascar, along with high levels of poverty. A total of 22 deaths were reported, along with 13 injuries. When Bingiza made its final landfall, it produced five days of rainfall to a region already severely affected by flooding. In Vangaindrano
district in southeastern Madagascar, the cyclone caused widespread flooding that isolated five villages, as well as covering fields of rice and other crops. A total of 310 people in the southern portion of the country were left homeless.
Immediately after the storm moved ashore, high winds prevented disaster teams from assessing damage in the affected areas. By February 18, CARE international had dispatched relief teams to the most affected regions. The teams distributed plastic tarps and food for 10,000 people. High winds halted locust-control operations, while heavy rainfall provided favorable breeding conditions. In the area of the cyclone's first landfall, most people were able to rebuild their houses using trees and supplies from the surrounding countryside. Overall, about 25,845 people became homeless due to the cyclone, although most were able to return to their homes after a few days after they were repaired. In the months after the storm's passage, the European Commission
allocated €
200,000 ($287,000 USD) to CARE France for the storm victims.
Tropical cyclone naming
Tropical cyclones have officially been named since 1945 and are named for a variety of reasons, which include to facilitate communications between forecasters and the public when forecasts, watches, and warnings are issued. Names also reduce confusion about what storm is being described, as more...
to make landfall
Landfall (meteorology)
Landfall is the event of a tropical cyclone or a waterspout coming onto land after being over water. When a waterspout makes landfall it is reclassified as a tornado, which can then cause damage inland...
in the inactive 2010–11 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
2010–11 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
The 2010–11 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season was the least active tropical cyclone season in the South-West Indian Ocean on record. It began on November 1, 2010 and ended on April 30, 2011, dates which conventionally delimit the year in which most tropical cyclones form in the basin...
. The second of three storms, Bingiza developed on February 9 to the northeast of Madagascar
Madagascar
The Republic of Madagascar is an island country located in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern coast of Africa...
. For a few days it meandered generally southwestward, failing to intensify significantly. On February 12, the storm began a steady westward track as environmental conditions became more favorable. In a 24–hour period, Bingiza developed from a moderate tropical storm into an intense tropical cyclone with a well-defined eye
Eye (cyclone)
The eye is a region of mostly calm weather found at the center of strong tropical cyclones. The eye of a storm is a roughly circular area and typically 30–65 km in diameter. It is surrounded by the eyewall, a ring of towering thunderstorms where the second most severe weather of a cyclone...
. After attaining peak 10–minute sustained winds of 165 km/h (105 mph), the cyclone moved ashore in northeastern Madagascar on February 14 and quickly weakened as it crossed the country. It emerged into the Mozambique Channel
Mozambique Channel
The Mozambique Channel is a portion of the Indian Ocean located between the island nation of Madagascar and southeast Africa, primarily the country of Mozambique. It was a World War II clashpoint during the Battle of Madagascar...
as a weak tropical disturbance, and it turned southward to move across western Madagascar. Bingiza attained tropical storm status before making its final landfall near Morondava
Morondava
Morondava is a city located in Menabe Region, of which it is the capital, in Madagascar. It is located in the delta of the Morandava River at .-Communication:...
, dissipating on February 18.
Across Madagascar, the cyclone killed at least 22 people and injured 13 others. High winds destroyed 25,464 houses, which left 25,845 people homeless. Bingiza first affected the Masoala National Park
Masoala National Park
Masoala National Park, in northeast Madagascar, is the largest of the island's protected areas. Most of the park is situated in Sava Region and a part in Analanjirofo. Created in 1997, the park protects 2,300 square kilometres of rainforest and 100 square kilometres of marine parks. The Masoala...
, destroying half of a village and leaving it isolated. High winds and heavy rainfall left over 500 km2km (195 mi2) of damaged crops, which increased food prices and threatened the economic livelihoods of the affected people.
Meteorological history
The origins of Cyclone Bingiza were from a persistent area of disorganized convection on February 8, about 880 km (545 mi) north-northeast of RéunionRéunion
Réunion is a French island with a population of about 800,000 located in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar, about south west of Mauritius, the nearest island.Administratively, Réunion is one of the overseas departments of France...
. At the time, the system consisted of a poorly-defined circulation, located in an area of low wind shear
Wind shear
Wind shear, sometimes referred to as windshear or wind gradient, is a difference in wind speed and direction over a relatively short distance in the atmosphere...
. It moved west-southwestward along the northern periphery of a ridge
Ridge (meteorology)
A ridge is an elongated region of relatively high atmospheric pressure, the opposite of a trough....
, and its convection gradually became more organized over the center. On February 9, Météo-France
Météo-France
Météo-France is the French national meteorological service.The organisation was established by decree in June 1993 and is a department of the Ministry of Transportation. It is headquartered in Paris but many domestic operations have been decentralised to Toulouse...
(MF) classified the system as Tropical Disturbance 5, and six hours later upgraded it to a tropical depression. Shortly thereafter, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center
Joint Typhoon Warning Center
The Joint Typhoon Warning Center is a joint United States Navy – United States Air Force task force located at the Naval Maritime Forecast Center in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii...
(JTWC) issued a tropical cyclone formation alert
Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert
A Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert is a bulletin released by the U.S. Navy-operated Joint Typhoon Warning Center in Honolulu, Hawaii or the Naval Maritime Forecast Center in Norfolk, Virginia, warning of the possibility of a tropical cyclone forming from a tropical disturbance that has been...
after convective banding and outflow
Outflow (meteorology)
Outflow, in meteorology, is air that flows outwards from a storm system. It is associated with ridging, or anticyclonic flow. In the low levels of the troposphere, outflow radiates from thunderstorms in the form of a wedge of rain-cooled air, which is visible as a thin rope-like cloud on weather...
increased. Following intensification of the depression into a moderate tropical storm, MF advised the Madagascan Weather Service to name the storm as Bingiza which they did late on February 9.
Upon becoming a tropical storm, Bingiza was located in an area of weak steering currents, which resulted in a slow, meandering motion toward the southwest. Its motion turned to the south on February 10, with conditions only marginally favorable for further intensification. After two days of meandering without strengthening, Bingiza turned to the southwest on due to a building ridge to its southwest toward Madagascar. Around the same time, upper-level conditions began improving, which allowed the convection to increase in coverage. Based on the improved appearance, MF upgraded Bingiza to a severe tropical storm at 0600 UTC on February 12 about 335 km (210 mi) east of the coast of Madagascar. Later that day an eye
Eye (cyclone)
The eye is a region of mostly calm weather found at the center of strong tropical cyclones. The eye of a storm is a roughly circular area and typically 30–65 km in diameter. It is surrounded by the eyewall, a ring of towering thunderstorms where the second most severe weather of a cyclone...
became apparent on satellite imagery, signaling the beginning of a rapid deepening
Rapid deepening
Rapid deepening, also known as rapid intensification, is a meteorological condition that occurs when the minimum sea-level atmospheric pressure of a tropical cyclone decreases drastically in a short period of time. The National Weather Service describes rapid deepening as a decrease of...
trend. Late on February 12, MF upgraded Bingiza to tropical cyclone intensity, which is the equivalent of a hurricane or typhoon. With minimal wind shear and warm waters, the agency forecast the cyclone to intensify further to peak 10–sustained winds of 195 km/h (120 mph). Continuing to strengthen, Bingiza attained 10 minute sustained winds of 165 km/h (105 mph) early on February 13, making it an intense tropical cyclone. Similarly, the JTWC estimated peak 1 minute sustained winds of 185 km/h (115 mph), noting a contracting eye 37 km (23 mi) in diameter in the process of an eyewall replacement cycle
Eyewall replacement cycle
Eyewall replacement cycles, also called concentric eyewall cycles, naturally occur in intense tropical cyclones, generally with winds greater than 185 km/h , or major hurricanes...
.
Despite initial forecasts, the cyclone failed to strengthen further due to interaction with Madagascar. Early on February 14, Bingiza made landfall
Landfall (meteorology)
Landfall is the event of a tropical cyclone or a waterspout coming onto land after being over water. When a waterspout makes landfall it is reclassified as a tornado, which can then cause damage inland...
along the Masoala Peninsula
Masoala National Park
Masoala National Park, in northeast Madagascar, is the largest of the island's protected areas. Most of the park is situated in Sava Region and a part in Analanjirofo. Created in 1997, the park protects 2,300 square kilometres of rainforest and 100 square kilometres of marine parks. The Masoala...
with winds of at least 150 km/h (90 mph). It emerged into the Antongil Bay
Antongil Bay
Helodranon' Antongila , more commonly called Antongil Bay in English, is the largest bay in Madagascar. It is at the northern end of the east coast of the island and for administrative purposes it is within Analanjirofo Region. The bay is about 60 km long and 30 km wide, and is formed by...
, before moving ashore north of Manambolosy
Manambolosy
Manambolosy is a town and commune in Madagascar. It belongs to the district of Mananara Nord, which is a part of Analanjirofo Region. The population of the commune was estimated to be approximately 11,000 in 2001 commune census....
. It quickly weakened over land, although it produced heavy rainfall along its northern periphery. Early on February 15, Bingiza weakened to a tropical depression. The center became difficult to locate over land, although it emerged into the Mozambique Channel
Mozambique Channel
The Mozambique Channel is a portion of the Indian Ocean located between the island nation of Madagascar and southeast Africa, primarily the country of Mozambique. It was a World War II clashpoint during the Battle of Madagascar...
north of Besalampy
Besalampy
Besalampy is a town and commune on the west coast of Madagascar. It belongs to the district of Besalampy, which is a part of Melaky Region. The population of the commune was estimated to be approximately 15,000 in 2001 commune census....
as a tropical disturbance. After moving over waters, the system was able to re-intensify due to favorable water temperatures and inflow
Inflow (meteorology)
Inflow is the flow of a fluid into a large collection of that fluid. Within meteorology, inflow normally refers to the influx of warmth and moisture from air within the Earth's atmosphere into storm systems. Extratropical cyclones are fed by inflow focused along their cold front and warm fronts...
. It quickly organized into a tropical depression again, although strengthening was halted after it turned southward over western Madagascar due to a ridge to its north. It again moved into the Mozambique Channel, and Bingiza re-intensified into a tropical storm on February 17. The storm developed a concentrated area of convection near the center, as well as a poorly-defined eye. The re-intensification was short-lived after Bingiza made its final landfall just south of Morondava
Morondava
Morondava is a city located in Menabe Region, of which it is the capital, in Madagascar. It is located in the delta of the Morandava River at .-Communication:...
around 1330 UTC on February 17. Around that time, the circulation was dissipating over land, and its remnants left the island on February 19.
Impact
When Bingiza made its first Madagascar landfall, it became the first cyclone to strike the country in the cyclone season. It first moved through the Masoala National Park, a sparsely-populated protected region with significant amounts of trees. In VinanivaoVinanivao
Vinanivao is a town and commune in northern Madagascar. It belongs to the district of Antalaha, which is a part of Sava Region. According to 2001 commune census the population of Vinanivao was 14,906....
, located along the Masoala peninsula, the cyclone destroyed half of the buildings as well as the roads and bridges, leaving it only accessible by boat. The cyclone affected five districts
Districts of Madagascar
Districts are second-level administrative divisions of Madagascar below the regions. Districts are in their turn divided into communes; while some of the districts on urban areas such as the district of Toliara consists of only one commune, most of the districts are divided typically into...
, primarily Mananara Nord
Mananara Nord
Mananara Nord or Mananara Avaratra is a town and commune in Madagascar. It belongs to the district of Mananara Nord, which is a part of Analanjirofo Region. The population of the commune was estimated to be approximately 30,000 in 2001 commune census....
. There, an early report indicated that 80% of the houses were destroyed, along with one hospital and four other health facilities. The high winds caused heavy crop damage, including to rice and banana, which left minimal food supplies in some areas. The vanilla crop was also severely affected, and the mayor of Mananara was uncertain whether any of the crop could be harvested. Bingiza struck at what one relief worker described as the "worst time of year for a cyclone", because many farmers were unable to replant their damaged crops. The cyclone damaged 40% of the food crops and 10% of the cash crops in Manambolosy, as well as 70% of the food crops in Antanambaobe. Overall, the cyclone destroyed 405.23 km2 (156.46 mi2) of rice fields, as well as 101.67 km2 (39.26 mi2) of other crops. The cyclone also damaged the road infrastructure in Mananara, which made it difficult to transport fish in the region to other areas of the country. The resulting crop and road damage resulted in increased food prices.
Across its path, Bingiza destroyed 25,464 houses and damaged 36 schools. Overall, the damage was less than expected, given the strength of the cyclone. Most of the damage occurred due to the poor infrastructure and drainage systems of Madagascar, along with high levels of poverty. A total of 22 deaths were reported, along with 13 injuries. When Bingiza made its final landfall, it produced five days of rainfall to a region already severely affected by flooding. In Vangaindrano
Vangaindrano
Vangaindrano is a city in Atsimo-Atsinanana Region, Madagascar.The city is near the mouth of the Mananara river at the southern part of the east coast. It's connected to the north by national road RN 12. The road continues south but that section can't be used by ordinary vehicles, due to its bad...
district in southeastern Madagascar, the cyclone caused widespread flooding that isolated five villages, as well as covering fields of rice and other crops. A total of 310 people in the southern portion of the country were left homeless.
Immediately after the storm moved ashore, high winds prevented disaster teams from assessing damage in the affected areas. By February 18, CARE international had dispatched relief teams to the most affected regions. The teams distributed plastic tarps and food for 10,000 people. High winds halted locust-control operations, while heavy rainfall provided favorable breeding conditions. In the area of the cyclone's first landfall, most people were able to rebuild their houses using trees and supplies from the surrounding countryside. Overall, about 25,845 people became homeless due to the cyclone, although most were able to return to their homes after a few days after they were repaired. In the months after the storm's passage, the European Commission
ECHO (European Commission)
The Humanitarian Aid department of the European Commission , formerly known as the European Community Humanitarian Aid Office, is the European Commission's department for overseas humanitarian aid...
allocated €
Euro
The euro is the official currency of the eurozone: 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It is also the currency used by the Institutions of the European Union. The eurozone consists of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,...
200,000 ($287,000 USD) to CARE France for the storm victims.