Nilofar, a powerful tropical cyclone threatening the coasts of Gujarat, India, Sindh & Balochistan coasts of Pakistan and Oman, is also the strongest storm of the Arabian Sea.
Nilofar originated from a low pressure area in the Arabian sea that intensified into a depression on October 25. It slowly consolidated and reached cyclonic storm strength the following day. The system rapidly intensified on October 27, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to upgrade Nilofar to a Very severe cyclonic storm, and was classified a Category-1 equivalent tropical cyclone by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC).
The name Nilofar, referring to the water lily, was suggested by Pakistan.
Nilofar’s 130 mph sustained winds make it the third strongest tropical cyclone ever recorded in the Arabian Sea, behind Category 5 Cyclone Gonu of 2007, which devastated Oman, and the 145 mph winds of Category 4 Cyclone Phet, which also did heavy damage in Oman.
Intense hurricanes are rare in the Arabian Sea, due to the basin’s small size, the interference of the summer monsoon, and the frequent presence of dry air and dust from the Arabian Peninsula
Source Washington Post
