Cyclone hazards in the Arabian sea–A numerical modelling case study of Cyclone Nilofar

Cyclones cause significant loss of life and damage to properties, ecosystems and marine facilities. To address such issues, Royal HaskoningDHV (RHDHV) has developed regional tidal hydrodynamic and wave models covering the Northern Arabian Sea. A total of 29 major cyclones were identified in the Arabian Sea since 1945. However, as less information is available on Cyclone Nilofar (2014), this paper has concentrated on this event to illustrate the use of numerical modelling to simulate waves and surge generated by cyclones. Sample results from the modelling study are presented in this paper. The methodology described in this paper for modelling cyclone waves and surges in the Arabian Sea could be applied to simulate such natural hazards at other sites around the world.