CYCLONE MICHAUNG (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Disaster Management)

Context: The Indian Navy is closely monitoring the Low-Pressure in the Bay of Bengal, which is likely to intensify into a Cyclonic Storm ‘Michaung’ and cross the Eastern coast between North Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh

Cyclonic Storm Michaung

• About: According to IMD  the formation of the Michaung in the southwest Bay of Bengal.
• Area: This cyclone is anticipated to make landfall along the north Tamil Nadu coast, specifically the cities of Chennai and Machilipatnam.
• Name Provided by: Myanmar

oCyclone Michuang will become the fourth Bay of Bengal cyclonic storm and the sixth cyclone formed in the Indian Ocean in 2023.

• Previous Cyclone in Bay of Bengal: Cyclone Midhili

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. 
• Impacts: 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.