Cyclone Keila
Encyclopedia
Cyclonic Storm Keila also known as Cyclone Keila, is the first named cyclonic storm and the first storm to reach cyclone intensity of the 2011 North Indian Ocean cyclone season
. Keila developed from a low pressure area
in the Arabian Sea
that organized into a tropical depression on October 29. At least 14 people are known to have been killed in Oman
and more than 200 have been injured. As a cyclonic storm, Keila produced torrential rains over Oman resulting in six direct deaths.
, the RSMC of this basin, designated the system Depression "ARB 02" on October 29 . The depression moved toward the Middle East during the next few days and intensified into a Deep Depression on November 1. . Favorable conditions in the Arabian Sea helped the storm intensify further and the IMD upgraded the storm into a Cyclonic Storm on November 2, naming it "Keila".
Keila soon struck the Oman coast to the south of Salalah
. This resulted in widespread floods and 14 fatalities. Once moving inland, the storm weakened due to the influence of the landmass. It stalled and re-emerged into the ocean water again, but was not successful in intensifying. The storm dissipated into a low pressure area on November 4 .
received torrential rainfall the same day. This caused widespread flooding in the country. It was also reported that 6 people were killed by the force of the floodwater in the Rustaq and Batinah regions. Traffic jams were reported throughout the affected areas.
In another news, nine sailors are missing in the Arabian Sea when the Indian Ship MSV Shiv Sagar MNV 2169 sank as the storm passed over them. It is reported that Five bodies have been spotted on the surface of the sea and the coast guards are aiding in retrieving the bodies.
A total of 14 fatalities were reported in Oman, most of them caused by drowning. Police helicopters have evacuated about 60 patients from Al Nahdha and Khoula hospitals which have been closed for maintenance. The patients have been transferred to other hospitals.
2011 North Indian Ocean cyclone season
The 2011 North Indian Ocean cyclone season is an event in the annual cycle of tropical cyclone formation. The North Indian Ocean cyclone season has no official bounds, but cyclones tend to form between April and December, with peaks in May and November...
. Keila developed from a low pressure area
Low pressure area
A low-pressure area, or "low", is a region where the atmospheric pressure at sea level is below that of surrounding locations. Low-pressure systems form under areas of wind divergence which occur in upper levels of the troposphere. The formation process of a low-pressure area is known as...
in the Arabian Sea
Arabian Sea
The Arabian Sea is a region of the Indian Ocean bounded on the east by India, on the north by Pakistan and Iran, on the west by the Arabian Peninsula, on the south, approximately, by a line between Cape Guardafui in northeastern Somalia and Kanyakumari in India...
that organized into a tropical depression on October 29. At least 14 people are known to have been killed in Oman
Oman
Oman , officially called the Sultanate of Oman , is an Arab state in southwest Asia on the southeast coast of the Arabian Peninsula. It is bordered by the United Arab Emirates to the northwest, Saudi Arabia to the west, and Yemen to the southwest. The coast is formed by the Arabian Sea on the...
and more than 200 have been injured. As a cyclonic storm, Keila produced torrential rains over Oman resulting in six direct deaths.
Meteorological history
Under the influence of a low-level trough, a low-pressure area formed over the Arabian Sea in late October. The system became more well marked as it organized itself. The India Meteorological DepartmentIndia Meteorological Department
The India Meteorological Department , also referred to as the Met Office, is an agency of the Ministry of Earth Sciences of the Government of India. It is the principal agency responsible for meteorological observations, weather forecasting and seismology...
, the RSMC of this basin, designated the system Depression "ARB 02" on October 29 . The depression moved toward the Middle East during the next few days and intensified into a Deep Depression on November 1. . Favorable conditions in the Arabian Sea helped the storm intensify further and the IMD upgraded the storm into a Cyclonic Storm on November 2, naming it "Keila".
Keila soon struck the Oman coast to the south of Salalah
Salalah
Salalah , is the capital and seat of the governor or Wali of the southern Omani province of Dhofar. The population of Salalah was 197,169 in 2009....
. This resulted in widespread floods and 14 fatalities. Once moving inland, the storm weakened due to the influence of the landmass. It stalled and re-emerged into the ocean water again, but was not successful in intensifying. The storm dissipated into a low pressure area on November 4 .
Preparations and impact
While Keila was in its peak intensity on November 2, parts of OmanOman
Oman , officially called the Sultanate of Oman , is an Arab state in southwest Asia on the southeast coast of the Arabian Peninsula. It is bordered by the United Arab Emirates to the northwest, Saudi Arabia to the west, and Yemen to the southwest. The coast is formed by the Arabian Sea on the...
received torrential rainfall the same day. This caused widespread flooding in the country. It was also reported that 6 people were killed by the force of the floodwater in the Rustaq and Batinah regions. Traffic jams were reported throughout the affected areas.
In another news, nine sailors are missing in the Arabian Sea when the Indian Ship MSV Shiv Sagar MNV 2169 sank as the storm passed over them. It is reported that Five bodies have been spotted on the surface of the sea and the coast guards are aiding in retrieving the bodies.
A total of 14 fatalities were reported in Oman, most of them caused by drowning. Police helicopters have evacuated about 60 patients from Al Nahdha and Khoula hospitals which have been closed for maintenance. The patients have been transferred to other hospitals.