Simulation of cyclone ‘Aila-2009’ by using WRF-ARW model and numerical storm surge model

Abstract

Tropical cyclone is regarded as the most destructive meteorological phenomenon, which ravage life and property especially over the coastal belt due to storm surges and extremely strong winds at the time of landfall. It is evident that mortality associated with tropical cyclones is considerably high especially in the Bay of Bengal region mainly due to dense population, inferior infra-structures, poor socio-economic conditions and shallow bathymetry. Many severe cyclonic storms with core of hurricane winds (super cyclones) has, so far, hit Bangladesh namely Bakerganj Cyclone of 1876, 12 November Cyclone of 1970, 29 April Cyclone of 1991 and Sidr of 2007. Though cyclone Aila-2009 was of moderate intensity it ravaged southwestern part of Bangladesh badly. Therefore this study is carried out to investigate movements and structures of the cyclone Aila (25 May 2009) by using Advanced Research Weather Research and Forecasting (ARF-ARW) model and its associated storm surge by using Hydro-dynamical/Numerical storm surge model with air bubble experiment.