These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the northern Indian Ocean.

An average of five tropical cyclones form in the North Indian Ocean every season with peaks in May and November.

Tropical Storm Three, which formed in the southern Bay of Bengal on November 14, tracked northward to reach a peak of 65 mph winds before hitting Myanmar on the 18th.

Its large circulation caused mudslides and flooding over western Indonesia before consolidating into a tropical storm on the 24th over the central Bay of Bengal.

Heavy storm surge and torrential flooding killed 2000 people (with 6000 missing), and left millions homeless.