Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm Giri (IMD designation: BOB 04, JTWC designation: 04B) was a powerful tropical cyclone that caused catastrophic damage in parts of Myanmar in late October 2010.
Meteorological History
Cyclone Giri originated from an area of low pressure over the Bay of Bengal on October 19, 2010. It was first classified as a depression by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on October 20, located roughly 250 km (155 mi) southwest of Sittwe, Myanmar. The system underwent explosive intensification over the following days. On October 21, it was upgraded to a cyclonic storm and assigned the name "Giri" (from Bengali: গিরি, meaning "mountain"). By October 22, Giri reached its peak intensity with 3-minute sustained winds of 195 km/h (120 mph) and a minimum central pressure of 950 hPa. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) estimated 1-minute sustained winds of 250 km/h (155 mph), making it a Category 4-equivalent cyclone on the Saffir–Simpson scale.
Giri made landfall near Hunter's Bay, roughly 50 km (31 mi) northwest of Kyaukpyu, Myanmar, around 1400 UTC on October 22, 2010. It became the most intense storm ever recorded to strike Myanmar at the time of landfall, surpassing Cyclone Nargis (2008) in terms of wind speed. The storm rapidly weakened over land and degenerated into a tropical depression by October 23, when the final advisory was issued.
Preparations
The Government of Myanmar issued warnings and urged evacuations, in contrast to its response during Cyclone Nargis in 2008. An estimated 53,000 people evacuated Kyaukphyu before the storm's arrival. Warnings were broadcast through television, radio, and newspapers, and authorities in Sittwe used loudspeakers to alert residents. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department also issued danger-level storm signals for ports at Cox's Bazar and Chittagong, though the storm was not expected to directly hit Bangladesh.
Impact
Cyclone Giri brought a storm surge of up to 3.7 m (12 ft), waves up to 8 m (26 ft), and winds exceeding 260 km/h (160 mph). In Kyaukphyu, roughly 70% of the city was destroyed, with much of the area left under 1.2 m (3.9 ft) of water. Myebon Township was the hardest-hit area, with several villages completely destroyed. Approximately 15,000 homes were destroyed across Rakhine State.
The storm struck during the only harvest season of the year for Rakhine State, destroying 16,187 hectares (40,000 acres) of rice paddies and damaging another 40,468 hectares (100,000 acres). Offshore, more than 100 fishermen from Myanmar and Bangladesh were reported missing after 21 ships were caught in rough seas.
Casualties and damage:
- Fatalities: 157 direct, 10 indirect
- Homeless: More than 70,000 people
- Total affected: Approximately 176,823 people (later rising to 1.1 million)
- Damage: Ks. 2.34 billion (US$359 million in 2010)
Aftermath
The Red Cross began deploying relief supplies on October 23, distributing tents and rice to Kyaukphyu. Temporary shelter camps housed approximately 5,000 people by October 25. The government distributed 60,000 zinc roof sheets and 200 tonnes of timber for rebuilding.
International assistance:
- United States: Emergency aid, later an additional US$3 million
- Australia: Approximately US$200,000
- United Kingdom: US$700,000
- Japan: US$500,000
- World Food Programme: 900 tonnes of rice (with 300 tonnes more en route), later allocating US$2.8 million in relief funds
- United Nations: Organizations pledged a total of US$54 million in aid
A cholera outbreak occurred in the aftermath, with at least six deaths reported. Additional post-storm diseases included diarrhoea, dysentery, eye infections, and skin diseases, linked to a lack of clean water.
Criticism of the Military Junta
International and local media criticized Myanmar's military government for inadequate warnings prior to landfall and for initially downplaying the death toll (the government claimed only 27 fatalities while independent sources reported significantly higher numbers). Relief efforts were criticized as slow and insufficient. Further controversy arose when local media reported that the junta threatened to sever aid to affected regions if residents did not vote for them in the national election held on November 7, 2010.
