Cyclones in Bhutan
Cyclones only occur occasionally in Bhutan. On average, they happen about 2 times a year.The typical cyclone season depends on the summer monsoon. In the months before (May to June) and after (October to November), the most severe storms occur.
Bhutan has certainly been affected by the foothills of several cyclones, but during the past 12 months no cyclone reached the inhabited areas on land.
Other natural hazards in Bhutan:
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Current satellite image of the Indian Ocean
05.10.2022 © CIMSS University of Wisconsin-Madison
Most violent cyclones in Bhutan since 2018
Jawad: December 3-6, 2021
Region:
Bay of Bengal
Wind speed:
max. 65 km/h
Diameter:
max. 130 km
Air pressure:
below 997 mbar
Saffir-Simpson scale:
tropical storm
The cyclone did not make direct landfall. On December 06th, 2021 at 6:00 am it had the shortest distance at about 542 km south of Samtse in Samchi.
Yaas: May 24-27, 2021
Region:
Bay of Bengal
Wind speed:
max. 119 km/h
Diameter:
max. 259 km
Air pressure:
below 974 mbar
Saffir-Simpson scale:
tropical storm
The cyclone did not make direct landfall. On May 27th, 2021 at 6:00 pm it had the shortest distance at about 486 km southeast of Samtse in Samchi.
Amphan: May 15-21, 2020
Region:
Bay of Bengal
Wind speed:
max. 241 km/h
Diameter:
max. 222 km
Air pressure:
below 920 mbar
Saffir-Simpson scale:
category 4
The cyclone did not make direct landfall. On May 21st, 2020 at 6:00 pm it had the shortest distance at about 163 km south of Phuntsholing in Chhukha.
Bulbul:matmo: October 28 to November 11, 2019
Region:
Bay of Bengal
Wind speed:
max. 139 km/h
Diameter:
max. 704 km
Air pressure:
below 976 mbar
Saffir-Simpson scale:
category 1
The cyclone did not make direct landfall. On November 11th, 2019 at 6:00 am it had the shortest distance at about 412 km south of Samdrup Jongkhar.
Fani: April 25 to May 4, 2019
Region:
Bay of Bengal
Wind speed:
max. 213 km/h
Diameter:
max. 185 km
Air pressure:
below 932 mbar
Saffir-Simpson scale:
category 4
The cyclone did not make direct landfall. On May 04th, 2019 at 6:00 pm it had the shortest distance at about 188 km south of Panbang in Shemgang.
These evaluations are based on data from the National Centers for Environmental Information of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Individual data have been summarized or translated.
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