Cyclone Gulab - Who Named Cyclone Gulab?

By : Neha Dhyani

Updated : Jan 28, 2023, 6:57

Gulab Cyclone was a tropical cyclone that resulted in severe damage to parts of South and West Asia. This cyclone made landfall in Odisha in September 2021. The cyclone initially started as a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal that eventually formed into a cyclone. The name “Cyclone Gulab” was suggested by Pakistan.

Gulab Cyclone was followed by cyclone Shaheen, which impacted the areas of Pakistan, UAE, Iran and Oman. We have shared further information about the Cyclone, its possible causes, and its widespread impact across Southern Asia.

About Cyclone Gulab

Cyclone Gulab became the third cyclone of the 2021 season to make landfall in Southeast Asia. Tropical cyclones form commonly in the North Indian Ocean (the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal) during the pre-monsoon and post-monsoon months. Tropical Cyclone Gulab was a devastating cyclone that hit the Indian shores in September 2021.

We have shared an overview of Cyclone Gulab here. Find out the date of formation and dissipation of the cyclone by referring to the table below.

Cyclone Name

Gulab Cyclone

Date of Formation

24 September 2021

Date of Dissipation

28 September 2021

Cyclone Gulab Landfall Time

18:00 IST on 26 September 2021

Gulab Cyclone Affected Areas

India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Pakistan, UAE, Iran

Which Country Named Cyclone Gulab?

Pakistan named Cyclone Gulab. The word “Gulab” means “rose” in the Hindustani language. When looked at from above, the circular shape of the petals of the rose looks similar to the shape of a cyclone. Therefore, the name “Gulab” was suggested by Pakistan for the Cyclone. When the cyclone storm started intensifying in the Bay of Bengal, the Indian Meteorological Department officially announced the arrival of the Gulab Cyclone.

Tropical Cyclone Gulab History

The history of the Gulab Cyclone can be traced back to 24 September 2021, when the first movement of the cyclone was tracked by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC). Here are more details about the history of the cyclone:

  • The Indian Meteorological Department identified the deep depression over the Bay of Bengal on 25 September.
  • Later on 25 September, the depression was intensified with a dense overcast and was named Cyclone Gulab.
  • The Cyclone hit the shores of Andhra Pradesh and Southern Odisha.
  • Cyclone Gulab also passed the Indian state of Telangana and eventually travelled westwards towards Vidarbha in Maharashtra.
  • The Indian Meteorological Department correctly predicted that the Cyclone will move towards the Arabian Sea.

Effects of Cyclone Gulab

In India, Cyclone Gulab mainly affected the states of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. The Cyclone caused much damage when it made landfall in Andhra Pradesh and eventually moved into the Arabian Sea, intensifying over Maharashtra. The areas affected by Tropical Cyclone Gulab faced high winds, floods, and destruction such as the following -

  • The Cyclone caused about 70% losses in agriculture.
  • It also caused 30% damage to residential, commercial buildings and industrial areas.
  • It is estimated that the cyclone caused damage worth ₹2,000 crores, which was majorly borne by farmers in the region.
  • Cyclone Gulab also led to the deaths of 34 people.

Gulab Cyclone Affected Areas

Tropical Cyclone Gulab mostly affected Southeast and west regions. Some of the areas that were badly affected by the cyclone include the following:

  • India
  • Myanmar
  • Bangladesh
  • Pakistan
  • UAE
  • Oman
  • Sindh

Intensity of Gulab Cyclone

Cyclone Gulab was an intense cyclonic storm that prompted the Indian Meteorological Department to issue an 'orange' advisory for the states of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. According to the IMD, cyclones are classified by the maximum sustained surface wind speed (MSW) they produce. They are divided into four categories:

  • Severe (MSW 48-63 knots)
  • Very severe (MSW 64-89 knots)
  • Extremely severe (MSW 90-119 knots)
  • Super cyclonic storm (MSW 90-119 knots) (MSW of 120 knots or more)

One knot is 1.8 kilometres per hour (kilometres per hour). Cyclone Gulab was a severe cyclone with a maximum speed of 95 kilometres per hour. The Cyclone westwards and approached the north Andhra Pradesh-South Odisha beaches between Kalingapatnam and Gopalpur on 26th September 2021, with wind speeds ranging from 75 to 85 km per hour with gusts up to 95 km per hour.

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FAQs on Cyclone Gulab

Q1. Which country gave Cyclone Gulab its name?

The country that gave Gulab Cyclone its name was Pakistan. The word “Gulab” means “rose” in the Urdu language. When observed from above, the shape of the rose looks similar to the shape of a cyclone. Therefore, the name “Gulab” was suggested by Pakistan for the Cyclone.

Q2. When did Gulab Cyclone occur?

Gulab Cyclone occurred in the post-monsoon month of September. The formation of the Cyclone started on 24 September and the landfall occurred on 26 September 2021 on the shores of the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. Cyclone Gulab then moved towards the Arabian Sea.

Q3. Which areas did Gulab Cyclone affect?

Gulab Cyclone affected several areas in Southeast and west Asia. Some of the worst Gulab Cyclone affected areas were as follows:

  • India
  • Myanmar
  • Bangladesh
  • Pakistan
  • UAE
  • Oman
  • Sindh

Q4. What was the Gulab Cyclone landfall time?

The landfall time of the Gulab Cyclone was 18:00 IST on 26 September 2021. On that day, the Cyclone hit the shores of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. Although it weakened after hitting the shores, it did cause large-scale destruction. Farmers were the worst affected because of Cyclone Gulab.

Q5. What was the speed of the Gulab Cyclone?

The speed of the Gulab Cyclone ranged from 75 to 85 km per hour with gusts up to 95 km per hour. The Indian Meteorological Department put it this cyclone in the category of a ‘Severe’ cyclone. The maximum speed recorded of Cyclone Gulab was 95 kilometres per hour.

Q6. What were the effects of the Gulab Cyclone?

Cyclone Gulab caused large-scale destruction in various parts of southeast and west Asia. The casualty rate of the cyclone was low (causing the deaths of 34 people) but the Cyclone Gulab affected areas such as agriculture and led to the destruction of property and sources of livelihood for a significant number of people.