1976: Strong tropical cyclone and 40' storm surge hits India

This Date in Weather History

On June 4, 1976 a strong Tropical Cyclone, known in the US as a Hurricane, hit the port cities just north of Mumba on the west coast of India. In the decades prior to the storm, massive Tropical Cyclones has battered both the west and east coasts of India with huge waves and heavy rains resulting in massive flooding and tremendous loss of life. Along the Indian east coast, especially in the northern part of the Bay of Bengal, the area is flat, almost at sea level for hundreds of square miles and ocean water is often pushed far inland because of the flat land. Significant warning times are needed to evacuate people out of harm’s way. Prior to the late 1960s and early 1970’s and the advent of satellite coverage very little warning lead time occurred. But by 1976 new technology had allowed for enough notice, in certain situations, for people to get out of the way. On June 4, 1976 despite a 40-foot storm surge ample notice was given and most people were able to evacuate, despite this 70 people still perished. Th

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