Tropical Cyclone Bulbul is an active tropical cyclone that struck the Indian state of West Bengal at Category 2 hurricane-equivalent intensity and caused severe flood and storm surge to Bangladesh. Originating from the remnants of Severe Tropical Storm Matmo over the southern Bay of Bengal in early November 2019, Bulbul slowly intensified into a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm. It is only the fourth tropical cyclone ever recorded to regenerate over the Andaman Sea, having crossed Southeast Asia overland. In addition, it is only the second to make it to hurricane strength, the last being in 1960.
On October 30th, Severe Tropical Storm Matmo made landfall in Vietnam, bringing lots of heavy rain and flooding. It slowly degenerated and slowed in speed as it crossed over the Indochinese Peninsula for the next several days, becoming no more than a low pressure system.
On November 2, the remains of Matmo emerged into the North Andaman sea. Meteorological agencies began to show interest in the system as it slowly began to reorganize and develop. It then fully reformed into a depression on November 5. Upon strengthening into a cyclonic storm, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) assigned the name Bulbul. It continued intensifying and increasing in speed for the next 3 days, however still slowly moving north and prompting the IMD to issue coastal warnings for Odisha and West Bengal and prohibit all fishermen activity, beach activity, and boating in and around the Bay of Bengal. About a day later, Bulbul made landfall near Sagar Island in West Bengal around 18:30 GMT on November 9th, killing at least 2 people and weakening back to a Severe Cyclonic Storm as it interacted with land and unleashed a high storm surge. Not too long after this land interaction, Bulbul rapidly weakened into a deep depression the next day as it began to move over Bangladesh, however still bringing very heavy rains. As of 11th November 2019, 24 deaths have been reported in Bangladesh due to Cyclone Bulbul.
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