CYCLONE IN BAY OF BENGAL (Syllabus: GS Paper 1 – Geography)

Context: Recently, experts have warned that two back-to-back low-pressure areas are potentially forming in the Bay of Bengal, with the possibility of both intensifying into cyclones and one of them may even develop into a severe cyclone.

Cyclone

• About: A cyclone is a large, rotating storm system with low pressure at its center. Cyclones can form in any ocean basin, but they are most common in the tropics. 
• Cyclones can cause a variety of hazards, including strong winds, storm surges, and heavy rainfall.

Types of Cyclones

• Tropical cyclones: These are the most common type of cyclones. They form over warm, tropical oceans and are characterized by strong winds, heavy rainfall, and storm surges.
• Extratropical cyclones: These cyclones form over cooler waters and are not as strong as tropical cyclones. They are characterized by strong winds, heavy rainfall, and snow.
• Mid-latitude cyclones: These cyclones form in the midlatitudes and are characterized by strong winds, heavy rainfall, and snow.

Formation of Cyclones

• Warm ocean temperatures: Cyclones thrive on warm waters with temperatures above 26.5°C (80°F) as they serve as a primary source of energy for their formation and intensification.
• Favorable Atmospheric Conditions: The presence of a pre-existing weather disturbance, such as a tropical wave or low-pressure system, can provide the initial trigger for cyclone development. 
• Moisture and instability: Sufficient moisture in the lower atmosphere and unstable atmospheric conditions contribute to the development of thunderstorms, which are the building blocks of a cyclone.

Recent Cyclones

• Cyclone Biparjoy: Gujarat's coastal area
• Super Cyclonic Storm Amphan (2020): India and Bangladesh.
• Cyclone Hamoon: Deep depression over the west-central Bay of Bengal
• Cyclone Tej: Arabian Sea