Severe Cyclonic Storm Nisarga^[a] (/ˈnɪsərɡə/) was the strongesttropical cyclone to strike the Indian state ofMaharashtra in the month of June since 1891.^[2] It was also the first cyclone to impact Raigad &Mumbai sincePhyan of 2009.^[3] The third depression and secondnamed cyclone of the2020 North Indian Ocean cyclone season, Nisarga originated as a depression in theArabian Sea and moved generally northward. On 2 June, theIndia Meteorological Department (IMD) upgraded the system to a cyclonic storm, assigning the nameNisarga. On the next day, Nisarga further intensified to a severe cyclonic storm and turned to the northeast, ultimately making landfall approximately 95 km (60 mi) south ofMumbai.^[4] Nisarga rapidly weakened once inland and dissipated on 4 June.

Severe Cyclonic Storm Nisarga

Nisarga making landfall onMaharashtra on 3 June
Meteorological history
Formed	1 June 2020
Dissipated	4 June 2020
Severe cyclonic storm
3-minute sustained (IMD)
Highest winds	110 km/h (70 mph)
Lowest pressure	984hPa (mbar); 29.06 inHg
Category 2-equivalent tropical cyclone
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC)
Highest winds	155 km/h (100 mph)
Lowest pressure	968hPa (mbar); 28.59 inHg
Overall effects
Fatalities	6 total
Damage	$803 million (2020USD)
Areas affected	India (Maharashtra,Gujarat)
IBTrACS
Part of the2020 North Indian Ocean cyclone season

Nisarga was the second cyclone to strike theIndian subcontinent within two weeks time, afterCyclone Amphan, the first super cyclonic storm to have formed in theBay of Bengal in the 21st century, devastated the state ofWest Bengal in May 2020.^[5][6] Making landfall inMaharashtra with winds of 110 km/h (70 mph), Nisarga became the strongest storm to strike the state in the month of June since 1891. Before Nisarga, only two depressions had struck Maharashtra in the month of June, in 1948 and 1980 respectively.^[7][8]

On 31 May, anarea of low pressure developed over the EasternArabian Sea and remained as a well marked low-pressure area over the same region till the evening.^[9] It strengthened into adepression over east-central and south-east Arabian Sea in the early morning of 1 June. It later intensified into the Deep Depression on the same day.^[10]

Around noon on 2 June, the deep depression intensified into a cyclonic storm and thereby receiving the nameNisarga. The name has been contributed by Bangladesh.^[11]

It later reached its peak intensity of 110 kmph which makes as a Severe Cyclonic Storm whereas one-minute mean windspeed were 140 kmph which makes as a category 1 tropical cyclone. At 12:30IST (07:00 UTC) 3 June, Nisarga made landfall near the town ofAlibag at peak intensity. NearbyRatnagiri recorded the highest wind speed of 110 km/h (70 mph) and minimum pressure was 984 hPa.^[4]

On 1 June, Union Home MinisterAmit Shah, held a preliminary review meeting with officials ofNational Disaster Management Authority,National Disaster Response Force (NDRF),India Meteorological Department and theIndian Coast Guard.^[12] On the same day, 33 teams of NDRF were deployed in the coastal region of both the state.^[13] Fishermen from Maharashtra were alerted to return from the sea.^[14]

Indian Prime MinisterNarendra Modi, via a tweet on 2 June, updated that he spoke to Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Chief Minister of Gujarat and Administrator ofDadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu while assuring all possible support and assistance from the Central Government.^[15] As a precaution, 100,000 people were evacuated ahead of the storm.^[16]

Nisarga caused 6 deaths and 16 injuries in the state. Over 5,033 ha (12,440 acres) of land were damaged.^[17] Chief Minister of MaharashtraUddhav Thackeray announced an immediate aid of₹400,000 (US$5,000) to the relatives of the deaths.^[17] Later, Thackeray announced another Rs1 billion (US$13.3 million) toRaigad district.^[18] TheGovernment of Maharashtra put the total damage from Nisarga at Rs.60.48 billion (US$803 million), and the state required Rs11 billion (US$146 million) to recover from the damage caused by Nisarga.^[19][20]

The relief activity of the state government was panned for its effectiveness. The slowdown in providing relief was cited due to the peak momentCOVID-19 in the state. A month later, 36,000 households electric supply yet to be restored, mainly due to pandemic followed by torrential monsoon activity early July.^[21] Damaged roads slowed down the process of loss evaluation of agricultural land.^[22] The₹100 crore (US$12 million) relief package was criticised for been meagre by the state's opposition leaderDevendra Fadnavis.^[23]

Government of Maharashtra estimated about₹1,300 crore (US$150 million) aid for households affected. Slabs was decided for damage and materials lost and compensation was granted depending on the impact. While the compensation ranged from₹15,000 (US$180) to₹50,000 (US$580) for partial damage,₹1.5 lakh (US$1,800) was granted to families where houses were totally collapsed.^[24] Package of₹24 crore (US$2.8 million) was allotted for the damaged 1,470 government schools and₹2 lakh (US$2,300) each for damaged private schools in the affected districts.^[24] Cyclone Nisarga destroyed 23 out of 25 houses in Udaywadi village.^[25]

Cyclone Nisarga produced heavy rainfall in the states ofMaharashtra andGujarat. 72.5 mm of rain was recorded in Marahashtra, withJalna receiving the most rainfall (152mm).^[26]

• Tropical cyclones in 2020
• Cyclone Phyan (2009)
• Cyclone Vayu (2019)
• Cyclone Amphan (2020)
• Cyclone Tauktae (2021)

• IMD Press Release 2 dated 1 June 2020