Cyclone Nisarga
Severe Cyclonic Storm Nisarga (/ˈnɪsərɡə/) was the strongest tropical cyclone to strike the Indian state of Maharashtra in the month of June since 1891. It was also the first cyclone to impact Raigad & Mumbai since Phyan of 2009. The third depression and second named cyclone of the 2020 North Indian Ocean cyclone season, Nisarga originated as a depression in the Arabian Sea and moved generally northward. On 2 June, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) upgraded the system to a cyclonic storm, assigning the name Nisarga. On the next day, Nisarga further intensified to a severe cyclonic storm and turned to the northeast, ultimately making landfall approximately 95 km (60 mi) south of Mumbai. Nisarga rapidly weakened once inland and dissipated on 4 June.
Nisarga making landfall on Maharashtra on 3 June | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 1 June 2020 |
| Dissipated | 4 June 2020 |
| Severe cyclonic storm | |
| 3-minute sustained (IMD) | |
| Highest winds | 110 km/h (70 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 984 hPa (mbar); 29.06 inHg |
| Category 2-equivalent tropical cyclone | |
| 1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC) | |
| Highest winds | 155 km/h (100 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 968 hPa (mbar); 28.59 inHg |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 6 total |
| Damage | $803 million (2020 USD) |
| Areas affected | India (Maharashtra, Gujarat) |
| IBTrACS | |
Part of the 2020 North Indian Ocean cyclone season | |
Nisarga was the second cyclone to strike the Indian subcontinent within two weeks time, after Cyclone Amphan, the first super cyclonic storm to have formed in the Bay of Bengal in the 21st century, devastated the state of West Bengal in May 2020. Making landfall in Maharashtra with winds of 110 km/h (70 mph), Nisarga became the strongest storm to strike the state in the month of June since 1891. Before Nisarga, only two depressions had struck Maharashtra in the month of June, in 1948 and 1980 respectively.
The name Nisarga was contribute from Bangladesh which means 'nature' in Bengali.