Zyklon Luban

Vorlage:Infobox hurricane Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Luban was the third tropical cyclone to affect the Arabian Peninsula during the 2018 North Indian Ocean cyclone season, after cyclones Sagar and Mekunu in May. Luban developed on October 6 in the central Arabian Sea, and for much of its duration maintained a general west-northwest trajectory. On October 10, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) upgraded Luban to a very severe tropical cyclone – equivalent to a hurricane – and estimated maximum sustained winds of at least 135 kilometres per hour| (85 miles per hour). The storm made landfall on October 14 in eastern Yemen, with of at least 65 km/h (40 mph). It quickly weakened over the dry, mountainous terrain of the Arabian Peninsula.

Striking eastern Yemen, Cyclone Luban produced flooding rains that killed 12 people.

Meteorological history

Vorlage:Storm path On October 4, the American-based Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC first mentioned an area of scattered convection southwest of India as an area for potential tropical cyclogenesis, due to anticipated development in cyclone computer modeling. The convective system was located in the warm waters of the Arabian Sea in an area of low wind shear. The circulation slowly became more defined. On October 6, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) designated the system as Depression ARB 04. A day later, the agency upgraded the system to a deep depression, and on October 8, the IMD upgraded it further to Cyclonic Storm Luban. On the same day, the JTWC initiated advisories on Luban, giving it the designation Tropical Cyclone 05A.

By that time the JTWC initiated advisories, Luban had rotating rainbands around a persistent central area of thunderstorms, with good outflow to the north. The circulation became better defined over time, steered generally west-northwestward by a subtropical ridge to its north. On October 9, the IMD upgraded Luban to a severe cyclonic storm, as the thunderstorms continued to bloom over the circulation. A day later, the IMD upgraded Luban further to a very severe cyclonic storm, with maximum sustained winds of at least 120 km/h (75 mph), equivalent to a hurricane. The JTWC also upgraded Luban to the same intensity on October 10, noting the development of an eye feature. Both the IMD and the JTWC estimated that Luban attained a peak winds of 140 km/h (85 mph). They also forecasted that the storm would continue its general trajectory and strike the Arabian Peninsula.

Influenced by two ridges, Luban moved slowly and began weakening on October 11 due to upwelling, despite otherwise favorable conditions. The central core of diminished and restricted to the eastern side of the circulation. On October 13, thunderstorm activity increased over the center, signaling some re-intensification. Luban again weakened as it approached land, affected by cooler water and air temperatures. On October 14 around 06:00 UTC, Luban made landfall in eastern Yemen, about 30 km (20 mi) south of Al Ghaydah, with winds of at least 65 km/h (40 mph). The storm rapidly weakened over the dry and mountainous terrain.

Preparations, impact, and aftermath

The IMD advised fishermen not to go into deep waters of the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Aden. In Yemen, the United Nations Population Fund moved 1,250 rapid response kits to coastal areas in anticipation of Luban's landfall. Medical teams also moved to the region on standby in preparation for storm victims. Omani officials closed schools and recommended that residents in the storm's path to avoid low-lying areas.

The storm struck Yemen in the midst of a civil war and a cholera outbreak, and forced 2,203 families to leave their houses, utilizing 38 schools for shelter. The storm killed 11 people in the country, with 126 people injured. Flooding washed away thousands of livestock. Luban's rains flooded and damaged Yemen's coastal roads and bridges, which disrupted relief efforts. The port of Nashtoon was closed during the storm, but was reopened in the subsequent weeks. In Al-Masilah, flooding damaged or destroyed 62 houses. The storm damaged the hospital in Qishn District, forcing all workers to evacuate, and shutting down the facility for at least a week. The storm damaged about 90% of the power grid in Al Ghaydah. Many areas lost access to clean water after wells were destroyed. The Yemeni Red Crescent operated search and rescue missions, with help from a helicopter sent by Saudi Arabia.

As Luban made landfall, the storm dropped heavy rainfall in southern Oman that caused flash flooding. Dalkout reported a 24 hour precipitation total of Vorlage:Convert.

In the storm's aftermath, various governments and non-governmental organizations provided emergency supplies to residents affected by Luban. The King Salman Relief Centre sent two trucks from Aden to the worst affected areas to distribute tents, blankets, and mattresses. The Oman Charitable Organization sent seven trucks with food and other supplies to eastern Yemen. The World Health Organization sent three tons of medical supplies, including kits for cholera, malaria, and general trauma.

See also

• List of Arabian Peninsula tropical cyclones