STUDENT’S INFORMATION

This is a Social Studies Project on the

topic
“Disaster Management”

Name: Aadi Dev KS

Class:9th

School: CHINMAYA VIDYALAYA

THRIPUNITHURA - CBSE

Submitted to:
Geetha Thankappan Ma’am/SST Teacher
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I sincerely want to express my special thanks of
gratitude to my Mother ,Father for their guidance and
support in completing my project and my Social Studies
Teacher Geetha Ma’am forgiving me a golden
opportunity to make a wonderful project on Cyclone
Management .

I have learnt a lot while making the project about

disaster management .
I AM REALLY THANKFUL TO THEM.

I am not only making this project for marks but also to

increase my knowledge
INDEX
INTRODUCTION
WHATIS A DISASTER.....................................................................
......... 6TYPESOF DISASTERS ........................................................
......................7

INTRODUCTION

WHAT IS A DISASTER
A disaster can be defined as “A serious disruption in the functioning of the
community or a society causing wide spread material, economic, social
or environmental losses which exceed the ability of the affected society to cope
using its own resources”.

A disaster is a result from the combination of hazard, vulnerability and

insufficient capacity or measures to reduce the potential chances of risk. A
disaster happens when a hazard impacts on the vulnerable population and
causes damage, casualties and disruption .Any hazard–flood, earthquake
or cyclone which is a triggering event along with greater vulnerability
(inadequate access to resources, sick and old people, lack of awareness
etc.) would lead to disaster causing greater loss to life and property.

Cyclones

What is a Cyclone?

Cyclones are one of the most destructive natural disasters on

Earth, capable of causing widespread damage and loss of life.
Cyclones are generated by rapid and frequently damaging air
circulation in low-pressure areas. These intense low-pressure
systems can form over oceans and cause unfavourable weather
devastating storms, high winds, heavy rainfall, and storm
surges along coastal regions.
"Cyclone" comes from the Greek word "cyclos," which means a
snake's coils. Henry Paddington coined the term because tropical
storms in the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal resemble coiled sea
serpents.

 Cyclones are caused by atmospheric disturbances around a low-

pressure area distinguished by swift and often destructive air
circulation. Cyclones are usually accompanied by violent storms
and bad weather
 A cyclone is a large scale air mass that rotates around a strong
centre of low atmospheric pressure.
 They are usually characterised by inward spiralling winds that
rotate clockwise and anti-cloak wise.
 Geographical Location - Cyclones begin in tropical regions such
as pacific islands , northern Australia and other areas
 Characteristics – Cyclones have a low pressure center which is
called the ‘eye’, and the wind circling around is counter clock
wise on the northern hemisphere, whereas in the Southern
hemisphere, it moves clockwise. The speed of cyclones varies
from 32 to 200 Kmph. Cyclones mainly occur in a particular
season and mainly affect the coastal areas.
 Intensity and damage – the scale for measuring cyclones is
called the Beaufort scale and saffir-simpson scale and may vary in
different countries. the scale for measuring the intensity of
cyclones depends on the intensity of damage and the wind
speed .the scale ranges from negligible house damage and
destruction of plants and trees to extensive damage and
widespread destruction , with wind speeds ranging from 74 to
156 mph.

 Detection - Cyclones and tornadoes are detected by pulse Doppler

radar , photogrammetry and ground swirl patterns.

Cyclone: Worldwide terminology

Cyclones are also known by various names depending

on where they occur, different names in different countries.

 In the North Atlantic and north Eastern and south

Pacific, the West Indian islands in the Caribbean
Sea they are called hurricanes.
 in the north Western Pacific, they are known as
typhoons.
  In southwest pacific ocean, southeast and southwest
Indian Ocean, and they are called Tropical cyclones.

 Willy Willy in Australia

 Typhoons or Baguio in China Sea and Pacific Ocean .

 Taifu in Japan

 Tornado in South America and Guinea lands of West

Africa .

Therefore Cyclones, hurricanes, and typhoons are all types of

the same weather phenomenon: a tropical cyclone.
Same Phenomenon: Cyclones, hurricanes, and typhoons are different
names for tropical cyclones. The relation between them lies in their
nature and formation, as they are all intense storm systems that
develop over warm ocean waters, featuring a low-pressure center,
strong rotating winds, heavy rainfall, and thunderstorms.The name
changes based on the region where the storm occurs, but the scientific
characteristics and the processes that drive these storms are the same.

 Regional Differences:
o Hurricanes: Occur in the Atlantic Ocean and the
eastern/central North Pacific Ocean.
o Typhoons: Form in the western North Pacific Ocean.
o Cyclones: Develop in the Indian Ocean and the South
Pacific Ocean.
 Similar Structure and Formation: All these storm systems have a
central eye, an eyewall with the most intense weather, and rain
bands spiralling outward. They form under similar conditions:
warm ocean waters, moist air, and the Coriolis Effect to initiate
rotation.
 Formation of Cyclone

Cyclones form over warm ocean waters where the sea surface
temperature is above 26°C (80°F). As warm, moist air rises, it creates
an area of low pressure below. Air from surrounding high-pressure
areas moves in to fill this low-pressure zone. This new, cooler air then
warms, absorbs moisture, and rises, continuing the cycle. As the
warm, moist air rises and cools, water vapour condenses to form
clouds. The Earth's rotation, or Coriolis Effect, causes the winds to
rotate around the low-pressure center. As the storm strengthens and
spins faster, a calm, low-pressure eye forms at the center, surrounded
by an eyewall with intense rain and strong winds. When the wind
speeds reach 39 mph, the storm is classified as a tropical storm. Once
wind speeds reach 74 mph, it becomes a tropical cyclone, hurricane,
typhoon, or cyclone, depending on its location. Cyclones usually
weaken upon reaching land, as they lose energy from the warm ocean
water, though they may still bring heavy rain and wind inland. These
powerful storms can last from several days to over a week before
fully dissipating.

The development cycle of tropical cyclones may be divided into

three stages:
Formation and Initial Development Stage
The formation and initial development of a cyclonic storm depends
upon various conditions. These are:
 A warm sea (a temperature in excess of 26 degrees Celsius to a depth
of 60 m) with abundant and turbulent transfer of water vapour to the
overlying atmosphere by evaporation.
 Atmospheric instability encouraging formation of massive vertical
cumulus clouds due to convection with condensation of rising air
above ocean surface.
Mature Tropical Cyclones
When a tropical storm intensifies, the air rises in vigorous
thunderstorms and tends to spread out horizontally at the tropopause
level. Once air spreads out, a positive perturbation pressure at high
levels is produced, which accelerates the downward motion of air due
to convection. With the inducement of subsidence, air warms up by
compression and a warm ‘Eye’ is generated. Generally, the ‘Eye’ of
the storms has three basic shapes: (i) circular; (ii) concentric;
and (iii) elliptical. The main physical feature of a mature tropical
cyclone in the Indian Ocean is a concentric pattern of highly turbulent
giant cumulus thundercloud bands.

Modification and Decay

A tropical cyclone begins to weaken in terms of its central low
pressure, internal warmth and extremely high speeds, as soon as its
source of warm moist air begins to ebb, or is abruptly cut off. This
happens after its landfall or when it passes over cold waters. The
weakening of a cyclone does not mean that the danger to life and
property is over.
Indian Context

The Indian subcontinent is one of the worst affected regions in the

world. The subcontinent with a long coastline of 8041 kilometres is
exposed to nearly 10 per cent of the world’s tropical cyclones. Of
these, the majority of them have their initial genesis over the Bay of
Bengal and strike the East coast of India. On an average, five to six
tropical cyclones form every year, of which two or three could be
severe. More cyclones occur in the Bay of Bengal than the Arabian
Sea and the ratio is approximately 4:1. Cyclones occur frequently on
both the coasts (the West coast - Arabian Sea; and the East coast -
Bay of Bengal). An analysis of the frequency of cyclones on the East
and West coasts of India between 1891 and 1990 shows that nearly
262 cyclones occurred (92 of these severe) in a 50 km wide strip
above the East coast. Less severe cyclonic activity has been noticed
on the West coast, where 33 cyclones occurred the same period, out
of which 19 of were severe.

Tropical cyclones occur in the months of May-June and October-

November. Cyclones of severe intensity and frequency in the North
Indian Ocean are bi-modal in character, with their primary peak in
November and secondary peak in May. The disaster potential is
particularly high during landfall in the North Indian Ocean (Bay of
Bengal and the Arabian Sea) due to the accompanying destructive
wind, storm surges and torrential rainfall. Of these, storm surges
cause the most damage as sea water inundates low lying areas of
coastal regions and causes heavy floods, erodes beaches and
embankments, destroys vegetation and reduces soil fertility.

Cyclones vary in diameter from 50 to 320 km but their effects

dominate thousands of square kilometers of ocean surface and the
lower atmosphere. The perimeter may measure 1,000 km but the
powerhouse is located within the 100-km radius. Nearer the Eye,
winds may hit at a speed of 320 km. Thus, tropical cyclones,
characterized by destructive winds, torrential rainfall and storm surges
disrupt normal life with the accompanying phenomena of floods due
to the exceptional level of rainfall and storm surge inundation into
inland areas. Cyclones are characterized by their devastating potential
to damage structures, viz. houses; lifeline infrastructure-power and
communication towers; hospitals; food storage facilities; roads,
bridges and culverts; cropss etc. The most fatalities come from storm
surges and the torrential rain flooding the lowland areas of coastal
territories.

How Cyclones are formed

Parts of Cyclone
Cyclones are categorized according to their sustained wind
speeds on the Saffir-Simpson scale, with Category 1 being the
weakest and Category 5 being the strongest. Category 5
cyclones have sustained wind speeds of over 157 mph (252
km/h) and can cause catastrophic damage to buildings,
infrastructure, and natural landscapes.

The most destructive part of a cyclone is often the storm surge,

which is a wall of water that can reach heights of up to 30 feet
(9 meters) above sea level. As the cyclone approaches land, it
pushes a large amount of water towards the shore, causing
flooding and damaging everything in its path.

In addition to storm surges, cyclones also produce heavy

rainfall that can cause flash floods and landslides. These can
be particularly dangerous in areas with poor infrastructure and
limited access to emergency services.

Cyclone: Categorization

Cyclones are natural phenomena that can cause severe damage

to life and property. They are formed over warm tropical
waters and are characterized by strong winds and heavy
rainfall. Cyclones are classified into different categories based
on their intensity, with the most intense cyclones being the
most destructive. Cyclones are classified based on their
maximum sustained wind speed, which is the speed of the
wind at the center of the cyclone. The categories of cyclones
are based on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, which
is a scale that was developed in 1971 to categorize hurricanes
in the Atlantic Ocean. This scale has since been adapted for
use in other parts of the world to categorize cyclones.

Category 1 Cyclone:
A Category 1 cyclone is the least intense cyclone, with a
maximum sustained wind speed of 74-95 mph (119-153 km/h).
This cyclone can cause damage to trees, power lines, and
unanchored mobile homes, but it is not likely to cause
extensive damage to structures.

Category 2 Cyclone:
A Category 2 cyclone has a maximum sustained wind speed of
96-110 mph (154-177 km/h). This cyclone can cause
significant damage to roofs, windows, and doors. It can also
cause damage to mobile homes, small boats, and caravans.
Trees can be uprooted, and power lines can be knocked down,
causing power outages.
Category 3 Cyclone:
A Category 3 cyclone is a major cyclone with a maximum
sustained wind speed of 111-129 mph (178-208 km/h). This
cyclone can cause significant damage to buildings, roofs, and
windows. It can also cause damage to roads and bridges, and
power outages can be widespread. Trees can be uprooted, and
large objects can be blown around, causing damage and injury.

Category 4 Cyclone:
A Category 4 cyclone is an extremely intense cyclone with a
maximum sustained wind speed of 130-156 mph (209-251
km/h). This cyclone can cause severe damage to buildings,
including the collapse of roofs and walls. Power outages can
be widespread, and water and electricity services can be
disrupted. Trees can be uprooted, and debris can be blown
around, causing significant damage and injury.

Category 5 Cyclone:
A Category 5 cyclone is the most intense cyclone, with a
maximum sustained wind speed of over 157 mph (252 km/h).
This cyclone can cause catastrophic damage, with buildings
being destroyed or swept away. Power outages can be
prolonged, and water and electricity services can be severely
disrupted. Trees can be uprooted, and large objects can be
lifted and thrown around, causing extensive damage and
injury.

Impacts of a Cyclone

The impacts of cyclones can be devastating, causing loss of

life, displacement of populations, and significant economic
damage.
The long-term effects of cyclones can also be felt for years
after the initial impact, particularly in areas where
infrastructure and housing have been severely damaged.
In order to prepare for cyclones, it is important to have an
emergency plan in place.
This should include evacuation routes, emergency shelters, and
a way to stay informed about the storm’s progress.
is also important to secure loose objects, such as outdoor
furniture and signage, and to reinforce buildings to withstand
high winds and storm surges.
Despite their destructive nature, cyclones are a natural part of
the Earth’s climate system. As the planet continues to warm
due to human activity, it is likely that the frequency and
intensity of cyclones will increase.
It is therefore important to take action to reduce greenhouse
gas emissions and mitigate the impacts of climate change in
order to minimize the risks posed by these powerful storms.

Types of Cyclone

Cyclones are large-scale atmospheric disturbances that can

cause severe weather conditions. These weather phenomena
are characterized by low-pressure systems, which are often
accompanied by high winds and heavy rainfall. Cyclones can
occur in various parts of the world and are known by different
names depending on their location and intensity. Here are
some of the most common types of cyclones:

Types of Cyclone:
Cyclones are classified as: (i) extra tropical cyclones (also called
temperate cyclones); and (ii) tropical cyclones

Tropical Cyclones
These are the most well-known types of cyclones, commonly
referred to as hurricanes or typhoons. They occur in the
tropical regions of the world and are characterized by their
low-pressure systems, high winds (up to 200 mph), and heavy
rainfall. Tropical cyclones are classified based on their wind
speed, with Category 5 being the most severe.
Extratropical Cyclones
Also known as mid-latitude cyclones, these are low-pressure
systems that occur in the middle latitudes (between 30 and 60
degrees). Unlike tropical cyclones, they are not confined to a
specific area and can occur anywhere in the world.
Extratropical cyclones are often accompanied by heavy rain,
snow, and strong winds.

Polar Cyclones

These are low-pressure systems that occur in the polar regions

of the Earth. They are usually weaker than tropical or
extratropical cyclones and are characterized by their low
temperatures, high winds, and snowfall.

Mesocyclones
These are smaller-scale cyclones that occur in thunderstorms.
They are characterized by their rotating updrafts and can
produce tornadoes.

Subtropical Cyclones
These are low-pressure systems that occur in the subtropical
regions of the world. They have characteristics of both tropical
and extratropical cyclones and are often associated with weak
or no thunderstorm activity.

Polar Low
This is a small-scale, low-pressure system that occurs in the
Polar Regions. They are similar to mesocyclones but occur
over the ocean and are associated with cold air outbreaks.

Medicane
A rare type of tropical-like cyclone that occurs in the
Mediterranean Sea. They are often less intense than tropical
cyclones but can still cause significant damage.
Cyclones are a common and potentially dangerous weather
phenomenon that can occur in various parts of the world.
While tropical cyclones are the most well-known, there are
several other types of cyclones that can cause severe weather
conditions. It is important to be aware of the different types of
cyclones and their characteristics to stay safe during extreme
weather events.

Countries Most Vulnerable to Cyclones

Countries most affected by cyclones include Bangladesh, India,
Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka due to their locations
near the Indian Ocean. Pakistan has experienced two major cyclones,
the first in 1948 that killed over 1,000 people and the second in 1999
that caused damage but no deaths in Karachi.

Major Tropical Cyclone Disasters during the past 270 Years in terms of Human Loss
(With Human Deaths 10,000 or more)
Source: CRC Report; HPC Report; IMD Publications.

Indian cyclones: The 7517 km long coastline of India is world most

cyclone affected stretch. Around 8% of the total land area in India is
prone to cyclones. West Bengal, Odisha, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh,
Karnataka, Goa and Kerala are the most cyclone affected states of
India. E.g. Cyclone Phailin originated in Vietnam in October 2013.
This cyclone affected Odisha, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh,
Bihar and eastern parts of Uttar Pradesh. A total of 1,34,426 people
were eventually evacuated. Power and communication lines went
down across many districts. Besides economic losses Odisha recorded
casualties of 44 people.
 Type of Disturbances Wind Speed in Km/h Wind Speed in Knots

Low Pressure Less than 31 Less than 17

Depression 31-49 17-27

Deep Depression 49-61 27-33

Cyclonic Storm 61-88 33-47

Severe Cyclonic Storm 88-117 47-63

Super Cyclone More than 221 More than 120

The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO, 1976) uses the term

'Tropical Cyclone’ to cover weather systems in which winds exceed
‘Gale Force’ (minimum of 34 knots or 63 kph). Tropical cyclones are
the progeny of ocean and atmosphere, powered by the heat from the
sea; and driven by easterly trades and temperate westerlies,
high planetary winds and their own fierce energy.
In India, cyclones are classified by:

 Strength of associated winds,

 Storm surges
 Exceptional rainfall occurrences.
Extra tropical cyclones occur in temperate zones and high
latitude regions, though they are known to originate in the
Polar Regions.
Cyclones that developin the regions between the Tropics of
Capricorn and Cancer are called tropical cyclones. Tropical
cyclones are large-scale weather systems developing over
tropical or subtropical waters, where they get organized into
surface wind circulation.
Indian Meteorological Department

The criteria below has been formulated by the Indian

Meteorological Department (IMD), which classifies the low
pressure systems in the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea on
the basis of capacity to damage, which is adopted by the
WMO.
 1 knot - 1.85 km per hour
Cyclones are classified into five different levels on the basis
of wind speed. They are further divided into the following
categories according to their capacity to cause damage:-
Cyclone Category Wind Speed in Km/h Damage Capacity

01 120-150 Minimal

02 150-180 Moderate

03 180-210 Extensive

04 210-250 Extreme

05 250 and above Catastrophic

Storm surges (tidal waves) are defined as the rise in sea level
above the normally predicted astronomical tide. Major factors
include:
 A fall in the atmospheric pressure over the sea surface
 Effect of the wind
 Influence of the sea bed
 A funnelling effect
 The angle and speed at which the storm approaches the coast
 The tides
The very high specific humidity condenses into exceptionally
large raindrops and giant cumulus clouds, resulting in high
precipitation rates. When a cyclone makes landfall, rain
rapidly saturates the catchment areas and the rapid runoff may
extensively flood the usual water sources or create new ones.
What is Cyclone Disaster Management?
Cyclone management involves strategies and measures to mitigate the
impact of cyclones, which are powerful and destructive weather
events. It encompasses preparedness, response, recovery, and risk
reduction efforts to minimize loss of life, property damage, and
disruption caused by cyclones. Early warning systems play a crucial
role in alerting communities about approaching cyclones, allowing
time for evacuation and preparation. The key components of cyclone
disaster management are shelter planning, stockpiling essential
supplies, and establishing communication channels. Government
agencies, NGOs, and international organizations collaborate to
coordinate disaster relief and recovery efforts. Community awareness
and education are vital to ensure people know how to respond to
cyclone in India threats and follow safety measures. Continuous
research and technological advancements help improve forecasting
accuracy and cyclone in India disaster preparedness.
https://resources.eumetrain.org/satmanu/CM4SH/TrCyAt/navmenu.php?
page=2.0.0
Effects of cyclones:

Cyclones bring destruction to life and property. It is characterized by

heavy rains and strong winds.

1) Storm surge: It is an abnormal rise of sea level near the coast

caused by a severe tropical cyclone resulting in inundation of low
lying areas of coastal regions. It drowns human beings and live-stock,
erodes beaches and embankments, destroys vegetation and reduces
soil fertility.

2) Floods: Heavy and continued rains due to cyclones may cause

floods and submergence of low lying areas resulting in loss of life and
property. Floods and coastal inundation pollute
drinking water sources causing eruption of epidemics.

3) Strong winds: Very strong winds may damage infrastructure,

dwellings, communication systems, trees etc. vandalizing life and
property. It affects normal functioning of life.

4) Crop: It damages crops, which could lead to inflation.

5) Decline in tourist: Tourist will not come to a cyclone affected area,

thereby affecting livelihood of people.

6) Storm churn: By churning up cold water, tropical cyclones tend to

leave a cold wake behind them that can depress ocean temperature
and thus, stifling trailing storm.

7) Psychological impact: Disaster of any kind has long lasting fear on

minds of masses. They have witness large number of deaths, collapse
of infrastructure, cries, pains and many sorrows.
Disaster Management and Mitigation of Cyclones
Disaster Management refers to managing disaster response in the
country (Table ). India has been
traditionally vulnerable to the natural disasters on the account of its
unique geo-climatic conditions. About 60% of the landmass is prone
to earthquakes of various intensities; over 40 million hectares is prone
to floods; about 8% of the total area is prone to cyclones and 69% of
the area is susceptible to drought.

Table: The four phases of disaster management

1) Coastal plantation: Forests act as buffer zone against cyclones.

Cyclones travel unchecked in absence of forest. The degraded forests
land must be planted as plantation will act as green wall/wind break
for cyclones and water flow reduction in storm surges. Mangrove
forests shall be managed.

2) Effective weather Monitoring: Cyclones can be predicted several

days’ before. So, effective weather monitoring and forecast can help
in minimizing the losses due to cyclones. Warning messages should
be simple and reach in time to the masses.

3) Land Use control: Land use should be such that minimum critical
activities carried out in vulnerable areas. Buildings should be water
and wind resistant. Retrofitting of the older buildings should be
mandatory. There should be maintenance of river embankments.
Communication lines should be drawn underground. Construction of
strong halls in vulnerable areas.

4) Coastal Regulation Zone norms: They should be strictly enforced.

5) Insurance cover: Comprehensive state insurance cover needs to be
provided for persons, their properties and cattle.

6) Preparedness: Coastal areas should have adequate preparedness

against cyclones. Wide roads for quick evacuation, disaster resilient
buildings, shelter houses etc.

7) Awareness: Focused awareness activities are required to increase

public awareness of storm surge, flooding and rainfall related to
cyclone.

Disaster Management for Cyclone

Cyclones are among the most devastating natural disasters that

can occur, and they can wreak havoc on coastal areas, leaving
destruction and loss of life in their wake. As a result, it is
critical to have a comprehensive disaster management plan in
place to minimize the damage caused by these storms. Below
are the essential elements of an effective disaster management
plan for cyclones:
Early Warning Systems

The first and most crucial element of a disaster management

plan for cyclones is the establishment of an early warning
system. This system should be capable of detecting the
formation and movement of cyclones and issuing timely alerts
to the authorities and the public in the affected areas. The
system should also include measures to ensure that people with
disabilities or limited mobility are alerted and able to evacuate
safely.

Evacuation Plans

Evacuation plans are critical in reducing the risk of loss of life

during a cyclone. These plans should be developed well in
advance and must include instructions for evacuating low-
lying areas, identifying evacuation routes, and establishing
designated shelters for people who are unable to evacuate on
their own. Additionally, the plan should also take into account
the needs of vulnerable populations such as children, the
elderly, and people with disabilities.

Communication Systems

Effective communication systems are essential for ensuring

that people receive timely and accurate information during a
cyclone. These systems should include multiple channels of
communication, such as radio, television, social media, and
text messaging, to ensure that information reaches as many
people as possible. In addition, the system should also include
clear instructions on what people should do during a cyclone,
such as how to prepare their homes and how to stay safe.

Emergency Services
 Emergency services such as fire departments, police, and
medical services are critical during a cyclone. These services
must be well-prepared to respond quickly to any emergencies
that arise, including search and rescue missions, medical
emergencies, and structural damage assessments. Additionally,
these services should also be equipped with the necessary
equipment and resources to respond effectively to any
emergency situation.

Disaster Relief and Recovery

The final element of an effective disaster management plan for
cyclones is disaster relief and recovery. This includes
measures to provide food, water, and shelter to people affected
by the cyclone, as well as support for rebuilding homes and
infrastructure. The plan should also include measures to
provide psychological support to people who have been
traumatized by the cyclone, including counselling services and
support groups.

Cyclones can be extremely destructive and can cause

significant loss of life and property damage. However, by
having a comprehensive disaster management plan in place, it
is possible to minimize the damage caused by these storms.
This plan should include early warning systems, evacuation
plans, communication systems, emergency services, and
disaster relief and recovery measures. By working together and
taking proactive measures, we can ensure the safety and well-
being of our communities in the face of a cyclone.

Recover and build

After ‘All Clear’ is issued for back movement by ‘State’ give
attention to the following:
 Whether ‘roads’ for reaching home is recommended by authorities
 Whether power lines are safe
 Whether transport arrangement is approved by authorities
 Pure drinking water is available
 Sewage lines are working
 Any epidemic spread in the area
 Safety of neighbor(s) assured
Emergency Kit
 Battery operated torch
 Extra batteries
 Battery operated radio
 First aid kit and essential medicines
 Important papers (Ration card, Voter ID card, Aadhar card etc)
 Emergency food (dry items) and water (packed and sealed)
 Candles and matches in a waterproof container
 Knife
 Chlorine tablets or powdered water purifiers
 Cash, Aadhar Card and Ration Card
 Thick ropes and cords
 Shoes

About Cyclones in India

India’s North Indian Ocean (NIO) region, which encompasses the

Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea, witnesses high frequency of
cyclones. This poses significant threat to the Indian 7,500 km
coastline, along with Lakshadweep and the Andaman and Nicobar
Islands.
Cyclones from the Bay of Bengal- The Bay of Bengal has
experienced an 8% decrease in cyclonic storms in the recent period
(2001-2019), compared to the previous period (1982-2000). However,
it still dominates in terms of cyclone frequency and intensity
compared to the Arabian Sea. These cyclones often originate on the
eastern side of the North Indian Ocean (NIO) Basin and initially move
in a west-northwesterly direction.
Cyclones from the Arabian Sea- Cyclones in the Arabian Sea are
less frequent but no less dangerous. However, there has been a 52%
increase in the number of cyclonic storms over the Arabian Sea
(2001-2019), compared to the previous period (1982-2000).
What are the cyclone-prone regions of India?

Source- IMD

What are the socio-economic impacts of cyclones in India?

Cyclones in India wreak significant havoc, leading to catastrophic

socio-economic impacts. These impacts are not only direct, such as
property damage and loss of life, but also indirect, affecting long-term
economic development and societal well-being.
1. Loss of life and displacement- Historically, cyclones in India have
resulted in substantial loss of life. Cyclones also often lead to mass
displacement, as people are forced to evacuate their homes due to the
imminent danger, leading to social disruption. For ex- the 1999
Odisha cyclone claimed over 10,000 lives. The cyclone also resulted
in Mass Displacement of people.
2. Damage to infrastructure- Cyclones cause significant
infrastructure damage. This impacts transportation, communication,
electricity, and water supply. For Ex- Cyclone Tauktae in 2021
caused widespread damage to roads, bridges and buildings in Gujarat
and Maharashtra.
3. High economic losses- The economic impact extends to sectors
like agriculture, fisheries, and tourism, affecting the country’s
GDP. For Ex- Cyclone Fani, which hit Odisha in 2019, resulted in
losses estimated at $1.81 billion.
4. Impacts on livelihoods- Cyclones also negatively impact
livelihoods, particularly for fishermen and farmers. For Ex- Cyclone
Amphan (2020) in West Bengal disrupted the livelihoods of millions,
causing an estimated $13 billion in damage.
5. Effects on public health- Post-cyclone conditions can lead to the
spread of waterborne diseases, creating a public health crisis. For
Ex- Outbreak of Cholera after Amphan.
6. Impact on education- Cyclones often result in the closure of
schools, causing educational disruption. The schools are often used as
shelter homes during the cyclones.
7. Long-term economic development- The high cost of post-disaster
recovery diverts resources from other areas of economic development.
This slows down the overall economic progress of the region.

What are the Cyclone disaster management mitigation and

preparedness measures in India?

1. Early warning systems- India Meteorological Department (IMD)

early warning system help in the early detection of cyclones. This
helps in issuing timely warnings that help evacuate people and limit
damage.
2. National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (NCRMP)- NCRMP,
supported by the World Bank, aims to enhance the preparedness and
resilience of coastal communities. This is achieved through the
construction of cyclone shelters, infrastructure development, and
improved access routes for effective evacuation.
3. Coastal Protection Initiatives- Natural barriers have been created
like mangrove plantations and artificial barriers like sea walls and
embankments to reduce the impact of cyclones.
4. Infrastructure Retrofitting- Indian government has initiated a
retrofitting program to strengthen cyclone shelters in vulnerable areas.
5. Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) Project- This
initiative is designed to enhance the resilience of coastal areas through
sustainable environmental practices. The project includes mapping
vulnerable zones, promoting conservation, and implementing
sustainable livelihood strategies for local communities.
6. Colour-coding of cyclones By IMD- The well-known colour-
coding of natural disasters seeks to alert people to the risks’ potential
severity in advance. Green, yellow, orange, and red are the colours
that IMD uses.
7. Community-based disaster management- These programs are
implemented to raise awareness and train communities for cyclone
preparedness. For ex- In Odisha, locals have been trained to
effectively respond during cyclones.
8. Use of technology- Technology, such as Geographic Information
System (GIS) mapping, have been used to help identify vulnerable
zones and plan evacuation routes. This technology was notably used
during Cyclone Fani in 2019.
9. Coordinated efforts- Effective disaster management requires
coordinated efforts among various agencies, such as the National
Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), State Disaster
Management Authorities (SDMAs), IMD and local administrations.
10. Evacuation planning- Comprehensive evacuation plans are
developed for vulnerable regions. For Ex- During Cyclone Amphan
in 2020, these plans facilitated the evacuation of over two million
people in West Bengal and Bangladesh.

What are the issues with Cyclone disaster management In India?

India has made considerable progress in managing cyclone disasters,
especially in terms of evacuation and early warning systems.
However, several challenges persist that need to be addressed for a
more effective cyclone disaster management system.
1. Excessive Focus on management- Disaster management in India
is more focused on management than prevention.
2. Ignorance of cyclone warnings- One-third of the population of
India which lives in the coastal area is poor and marginalized,
rendering it ill-prepared and unable to cope with a disaster. On a few
occasions, the warnings were not taken seriously by the local
communities, thereby making it more disastrous. For ex- During
Ockhi cyclone disaster warnings were ignored by local bodies.
3. Incapacity of State disaster management forces- State disaster
response forces lack the capacity and preparedness to effectively
respond to disasters. As they are ill-prepared to respond, the onus of
response always falls on the NDRF rendering golden hour response
unavailable.
4. Insufficient post-disaster response- There is a noticeable lack of
attention given to post-disaster response in India. For ex- During
Cyclone Jawad, many farmers resorted to distress selling and
premature harvesting.
5. Inadequate infrastructure- Many buildings, including cyclone
shelters, lack the capacity to withstand the impact of a severe cyclone
with high storm surges.
6. Communication barriers- Language barriers, illiteracy, and the
lack of access to communication tools in rural and marginalized
communities hinders the effective dissemination of early warnings
and instructions.

What should be done to ensure proper cyclone disaster

management in India?
To ensure effective cyclone disaster management in India, several
measures and actions can be taken. Here are some key steps that can
be implemented:
1. Strengthen early warning systems- Strengthen early warning
systems by investing in advanced technologies, such as weather radar
systems and satellite imagery, to improve cyclone tracking and
prediction.
2. Improve communication and dissemination- Multiple mediums,
including mobile networks, radio, television, and social media, should
be used to ensure widespread dissemination. For Ex- Odisha Disaster
Management.
3. Enhance preparedness and response planning- Regular drills
and exercises must be conducted to test the effectiveness of response
mechanisms. Coordination among various stakeholders, including
government agencies, civil society organizations, and the public must
be improved.
4. Strengthen infrastructure and resilience – Investment in the
construction and retrofitting of cyclone-resistant infrastructure,
including cyclone shelters, coastal embankments, and resilient
housing must be increased.
5. Community engagement and capacity building – Regular
training programs and workshops to build the capacity of
communities, local leaders, and volunteers in disaster management
techniques must be conducted.
6. Integration of technology – technological advancements, such as
remote sensing, geospatial mapping, and early warning systems must
be leveraged, to enhance cyclone monitoring, forecasting, and
response.
Influence of climate change.

Tropical cyclones and climate change

The 20-year average of the number of annual Category 4 and 5 hurricanes in the Atlantic region has

approximately doubled since the year 2000.[36]

Perceptions in the United States differ along political lines, on whether climate change was a "major
factor" contributing to various extreme weather events experienced by respondents in 2023.
[37]
"Severe storms" includes hurricanes.

The IPCC Sixth Assessment Report summarize the latest scientific findings about
the impact of climate change on tropical cyclones. According to the report, we have
now better understanding about the impact of climate change on tropical storm than
before. Major tropical storms likely became more frequent in the last 40 years. We
can say with high confidence that climate change increase rainfall during tropical
cyclones. We can say with high confidence that a 1.5 degree warming lead to
"increased proportion of and peak wind speeds of intense tropical cyclones". We can
say with medium confidence that regional impacts of further warming include more
intense tropical cyclones and/or extratropical storms.[

Climate change can affect tropical cyclones in a variety of ways: an intensification of

rainfall and wind speed, a decrease in overall frequency, an increase in the
frequency of very intense storms and a poleward extension of where the cyclones
reach maximum intensity are among the possible consequences of human-induced
climate change.[2] Tropical cyclones use warm, moist air as their fuel. As climate
change is warming ocean temperatures, there is potentially more of this fuel
available.[39]

Between 1979 and 2017, there was a global increase in the proportion of tropical
cyclones of Category 3 and higher on the Saffir–Simpson scale. The trend was most
clear in the North Atlantic and in the Southern Indian Ocean. In the North Pacific,
tropical cyclones have been moving poleward into colder waters and there was no
increase in intensity over this period.[40] With 2 °C (3.6 °F) warming, a greater
percentage (+13%) of tropical cyclones are expected to reach Category 4 and 5
strength.[2] A 2019 study indicates that climate change has been driving the observed
trend of rapid intensification of tropical cyclones in the Atlantic basin. Rapidly
intensifying cyclones are hard to forecast and therefore pose additional risk to
coastal communities.[41]

Warmer air can hold more water vapor: the theoretical maximum water vapor content
is given by the Clausius–Clapeyron relation, which yields ≈7% increase in water
vapor in the atmosphere per 1 °C (1.8 °F) warming.[42][43] All models that were
assessed in a 2019 review paper show a future increase of rainfall rates.
[2]
Additional sea level rise will increase storm surge levels.[44][45] It is plausible that
extreme wind waves see an increase as a consequence of changes in tropical
cyclones, further exacerbating storm surge dangers to coastal communities.[46] The
compounding effects from floods, storm surge, and terrestrial flooding (rivers) are
projected to increase due to global warming.[45]

There is currently no consensus on how climate change will affect the overall
frequency of tropical cyclones.[2] A majority of climate models show a decreased
frequency in future projections.[46] For instance, a 2020 paper comparing nine high-
resolution climate models found robust decreases in frequency in the Southern
Indian Ocean and the Southern Hemisphere more generally, while finding mixed
signals for Northern Hemisphere tropical cyclones.[47] Observations have shown little
change in the overall frequency of tropical cyclones worldwide,[48] with increased
frequency in the North Atlantic and central Pacific, and significant decreases in the
southern Indian Ocean and western North Pacific.[49]

There has been a poleward expansion of the latitude at which the maximum intensity
of tropical cyclones occurs, which may be associated with climate change.[50] In the
North Pacific, there may also have been an eastward expansion.[44] Between 1949
and 2016, there was a slowdown in tropical cyclone translation speeds. It is unclear
still to what extent this can be attributed to climate change: climate models do not all
show this feature.[46]

A 2021 study review article concluded that the geographic range of tropical cyclones
will probably expand poleward in response to climate warming of the Hadley
circulation.[51]

When hurricane winds speed rise by 5%, its destructive power rise by about 50%.
Therfore, as climate change increased the wind speed of Hurricane Helene by 11%,
it increased the destruction from it by more than twice.[52] According to World Weather
Attribution the influence of climate change on the rainfall of some latest hurricanes
can be described as follows:
Intensity
Tropical cyclone intensity is based on wind speeds and pressure. Relationships
between winds and pressure are often used in determining the intensity of a storm.
[54]
Tropical cyclone scales, such as the Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale and
Australia's scale (Bureau of Meteorology), only use wind speed for determining the
category of a storm.[55][56] The most intense storm on record is Typhoon Tip in the
northwestern Pacific Ocean in 1979, which reached a minimum pressure of
870 hPa (26 inHg) and maximum sustained wind speeds of 165 kn (85 m/s;
305 km/h; 190 mph).[57] The highest maximum sustained wind speed ever recorded
was 185 kn (95 m/s; 345 km/h; 215 mph) in Hurricane Patricia in 2015—the most
intense cyclone ever recorded in the Western Hemisphere.[58]

Factors that influence intensity

Warm sea surface temperatures are required for tropical cyclones to form and
strengthen. The commonly-accepted minimum temperature range for this to occur is
26–27 °C (79–81 °F), however, multiple studies have proposed a lower minimum of
25.5 °C (77.9 °F).[59][60] Higher sea surface temperatures result in faster intensification
rates and sometimes even rapid intensification.[61] High ocean heat content, also
known as Tropical Cyclone Heat Potential, allows storms to achieve a higher
intensity.[62] Most tropical cyclones that experience rapid intensification are traversing
regions of high ocean heat content rather than lower values.[63] High ocean heat
content values can help to offset the oceanic cooling caused by the passage of a
tropical cyclone, limiting the effect this cooling has on the storm.[64] Faster-moving
systems are able to intensify to higher intensities with lower ocean heat content
values. Slower-moving systems require higher values of ocean heat content to
achieve the same intensity.[63]
The passage of a tropical cyclone over the ocean causes the upper layers of the
ocean to cool substantially, a process known as upwelling,[65] which can negatively
influence subsequent cyclone development. This cooling is primarily caused by wind-
driven mixing of cold water from deeper in the ocean with the warm surface waters.
This effect results in a negative feedback process that can inhibit further
development or lead to weakening. Additional cooling may come in the form of cold
water from falling raindrops (this is because the atmosphere is cooler at higher
altitudes). Cloud cover may also play a role in cooling the ocean, by shielding the
ocean surface from direct sunlight before and slightly after the storm passage. All
these effects can combine to produce a dramatic drop in sea surface temperature
over a large area in just a few days.[66] Conversely, the mixing of the sea can result in
heat being inserted in deeper waters, with potential effects on global climate.[67]

Vertical wind shear decreases tropical cyclone predicability, with storms exhibiting
wide range of responses in the presence of shear.[68] Wind shear often negatively
affects tropical cyclone intensification by displacing moisture and heat from a
system's center.[69] Low levels of vertical wind shear are most optimal for
strengthening, while stronger wind shear induces weakening.[70][71] Dry air entraining
into a tropical cyclone's core has a negative effect on its development and intensity
by diminishing atmospheric convection and introducing asymmetries in the storm's
structure.[72][73][74] Symmetric, strong outflow leads to a faster rate of intensification than
observed in other systems by mitigating local wind shear.[75][76][77] Weakening outflow is
associated with the weakening of rainbands within a tropical cyclone.[78] Tropical
cyclones may still intensify, even rapidly, in the presence of moderate or strong wind
shear depending on the evolution and structure of the storm's convection.[79][80]

The size of tropical cyclones plays a role in how quickly they intensify. Smaller
tropical cyclones are more prone to rapid intensification than larger ones.
[81]
The Fujiwhara effect, which involves interaction between two tropical cyclones,
can weaken and ultimately result in the dissipation of the weaker of two tropical
cyclones by reducing the organization of the system's convection and imparting
horizontal wind shear.[82] Tropical cyclones typically weaken while situated over a
landmass because conditions are often unfavorable as a result of the lack of oceanic
forcing.[83] The Brown ocean effect can allow a tropical cyclone to maintain or
increase its intensity following landfall, in cases where there has been copious
rainfall, through the release of latent heat from the saturated soil. [84] Orographic
lift can cause a significant increase in the intensity of the convection of a tropical
cyclone when its eye moves over a mountain, breaking the capped boundary layer
that had been restraining it.[85] Jet streams can both enhance and inhibit tropical
cyclone intensity by influencing the storm's outflow as well as vertical wind shear.[86][87]

Rapid intensification
Main article: Rapid intensification

On occasion, tropical cyclones may undergo a process known as rapid

intensification, a period in which the maximum sustained winds of a tropical cyclone
increase by 30 kn (56 km/h; 35 mph) or more within 24 hours.[88] Similarly, rapid
deepening in tropical cyclones is defined as a minimum sea surface pressure
decrease of 1.75 hPa (0.052 inHg) per hour or 42 hPa (1.2 inHg) within a 24-hour
period; explosive deepening occurs when the surface pressure decreases by
2.5 hPa (0.074 inHg) per hour for at least 12 hours or 5 hPa (0.15 inHg) per hour for
at least 6 hours.[89]

For rapid intensification to occur, several conditions must be in place. Water

temperatures must be extremely high, near or above 30 °C (86 °F), and water of this
temperature must be sufficiently deep such that waves do not upwell cooler waters
to the surface. On the other hand, Tropical Cyclone Heat Potential is one of such
non-conventional subsurface oceanographic parameters influencing
the cyclone intensity.[90]

Wind shear must be low. When wind shear is high, the convection and circulation in
the cyclone will be disrupted. Usually, an anticyclone in the upper layers of
the troposphere above the storm must be present as well—for extremely low surface
pressures to develop, air must be rising very rapidly in the eyewall of the storm, and
an upper-level anticyclone helps channel this air away from the cyclone efficiently.
[90]
However, some cyclones such as Hurricane Epsilon have rapidly intensified
despite relatively unfavorable conditions.[91][92]

Dissipation

Hurricane Paulette, in 2020, is an example of a sheared tropical

cyclone, with deep convection slightly removed from the center of the system.

There are a number of ways a tropical cyclone can weaken, dissipate, or lose its
tropical characteristics. These include making landfall, moving over cooler water,
encountering dry air, or interacting with other weather systems; however, once a
system has dissipated or lost its tropical characteristics, its remnants could
regenerate a tropical cyclone if environmental conditions become favorable.[93][94]

A tropical cyclone can dissipate when it moves over waters significantly cooler than
26.5 °C (79.7 °F). This will deprive the storm of such tropical characteristics as a
warm core with thunderstorms near the center, so that it becomes a remnant low-
pressure area. Remnant systems may persist for several days before losing their
identity. This dissipation mechanism is most common in the eastern North Pacific.
Weakening or dissipation can also occur if a storm experiences vertical wind shear
which causes the convection and heat engine to move away from the center. This
normally ceases the development of a tropical cyclone.[95] In addition, its interaction
with the main belt of the Westerlies, by means of merging with a nearby frontal zone,
can cause tropical cyclones to evolve into extratropical cyclones. This transition can
take 1–3 days.[96]

Should a tropical cyclone make landfall or pass over an island, its circulation could
start to break down, especially if it encounters mountainous terrain.[97] When a system
makes landfall on a large landmass, it is cut off from its supply of warm moist
maritime air and starts to draw in dry continental air.[97] This, combined with the
increased friction over land areas, leads to the weakening and dissipation of the
tropical cyclone.[97] Over a mountainous terrain, a system can quickly weaken. Over
flat areas, it may endure for two to three days before circulation breaks down and
dissipates.[97]

Over the years, there have been a number of techniques considered to try to
artificially modify tropical cyclones.[98] These techniques have included using nuclear
weapons, cooling the ocean with icebergs, blowing the storm away from land with
giant fans, and seeding selected storms with dry ice or silver iodide.[98] These
techniques, however, fail to appreciate the duration, intensity, power or size of
tropical cyclones.[98]

Methods for assessing intensity

For broader coverage of this topic, see Dvorak technique and Scatterometer.

A variety of methods or techniques, including surface, satellite, and aerial, are used
to assess the intensity of a tropical cyclone. Reconnaissance aircraft fly around and
through tropical cyclones, outfitted with specialized instruments, to collect
information that can be used to ascertain the winds and pressure of a system.
[1]
Tropical cyclones possess winds of different speeds at different heights. Winds
recorded at flight level can be converted to find the wind speeds at the surface.
[99]
Surface observations, such as ship reports, land stations, mesonets, coastal
stations, and buoys, can provide information on a tropical cyclone's intensity or the
direction it is traveling.[1]

Wind-pressure relationships (WPRs) are used as a way to determine the pressure of

a storm based on its wind speed. Several different methods and equations have
been proposed to calculate WPRs.[100][101] Tropical cyclones agencies each use their
own, fixed WPR, which can result in inaccuracies between agencies that are issuing
estimates on the same system.[101] The ASCAT is a scatterometer used by
the MetOp satellites to map the wind field vectors of tropical cyclones.[1] The SMAP
uses an L-band radiometer channel to determine the wind speeds of tropical
cyclones at the ocean surface, and has been shown to be reliable at higher
intensities and under heavy rainfall conditions, unlike scatterometer-based and other
radiometer-based instruments.[102]

The Dvorak technique plays a large role in both the classification of a tropical
cyclone and the determination of its intensity. Used in warning centers, the method
was developed by Vernon Dvorak in the 1970s, and uses both visible and infrared
satellite imagery in the assessment of tropical cyclone intensity. The Dvorak
technique uses a scale of "T-numbers", scaling in increments of 0.5 from T1.0 to
T8.0. Each T-number has an intensity assigned to it, with larger T-numbers
indicating a stronger system. Tropical cyclones are assessed by forecasters
according to an array of patterns, including curved banding features, shear, central
dense overcast, and eye, to determine the T-number and thus assess the intensity of
the storm.[103]

The Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies works to develop and
improve automated satellite methods, such as the Advanced Dvorak Technique
(ADT) and SATCON. The ADT, used by a large number of forecasting centers, uses
infrared geostationary satellite imagery and an algorithm based upon the Dvorak
technique to assess the intensity of tropical cyclones. The ADT has a number of
differences from the conventional Dvorak technique, including changes to intensity
constraint rules and the usage of microwave imagery to base a system's intensity
upon its internal structure, which prevents the intensity from leveling off before an
eye emerges in infrared imagery.[104] The SATCON weights estimates from various
satellite-based systems and microwave sounders, accounting for the strengths and
flaws in each individual estimate, to produce a consensus estimate of a tropical
cyclone's intensity which can be more reliable than the Dvorak technique at times.[105]
[106]

Intensity metrics
Multiple intensity metrics are used, including accumulated cyclone energy (ACE),
the Hurricane Surge Index, the Hurricane Severity Index, the Power Dissipation
Index (PDI), and integrated kinetic energy (IKE). ACE is a metric of the total energy a
system has exerted over its lifespan. ACE is calculated by summing the squares of a
cyclone's sustained wind speed, every six hours as long as the system is at or above
tropical storm intensity and either tropical or subtropical.[107] The calculation of the PDI
is similar in nature to ACE, with the major difference being that wind speeds are
cubed rather than squared.[108]

The Hurricane Surge Index is a metric of the potential damage a storm may inflict via
storm surge. It is calculated by squaring the dividend of the storm's wind speed and
a climatological value (33 m/s or 74 mph), and then multiplying that quantity by the
dividend of the radius of hurricane-force winds and its climatological value (96.6 km
or 60.0 mi). This can be represented in equation form as:

where is the storm's wind speed and is the radius of hurricane-force winds.
[109]
The Hurricane Severity Index is a scale that can assign up to 50 points to a
system; up to 25 points come from intensity, while the other 25 come from the
size of the storm's wind field.[110] The IKE model measures the destructive
capability of a tropical cyclone via winds, waves, and surge. It is calculated as:

where is the density of air, is a sustained surface wind speed value, and is
the volume element.[110][111]

Classification and naming

Classification
Main article: Tropical cyclone scales
 Three tropical cyclones of the 2006 Pacific typhoon
season at different stages of development. The weakest (left) demonstrates only the most
basic circular shape. A stronger storm (top right) demonstrates spiral banding and increased
centralization, while the strongest (lower right) has developed an eye.

Around the world, tropical cyclones are classified in different ways, based on
the location (tropical cyclone basins), the structure of the system and its
intensity. For example, within the Northern Atlantic and Eastern Pacific
basins, a tropical cyclone with wind speeds of over 65 kn (120 km/h; 75 mph)
is called a hurricane, while it is called a typhoon or a severe cyclonic storm
within the Western Pacific or North Indian oceans.[19][20][21] When a hurricane
passes west across the International Dateline in the Northern Hemisphere, it
becomes known as a typhoon. This happened in 2014 for Hurricane
Genevieve, which became Typhoon Genevieve.[112]

Within the Southern Hemisphere, it is either called a hurricane, tropical

cyclone or a severe tropical cyclone, depending on if it is located within the
South Atlantic, South-West Indian Ocean, Australian region or the South
Pacific Ocean.[22][23] The descriptors for tropical cyclones with wind speeds
below 65 kn (120 km/h; 75 mph) vary by tropical cyclone basin and may be
further subdivided into categories such as "tropical storm", "cyclonic storm",
"tropical depression", or "deep depression".[20][21][19]

Naming
Main articles: Tropical cyclone naming and History of tropical cyclone naming

The practice of using given names to identify tropical cyclones dates back to
the late 1800s and early 1900s and gradually superseded the existing system
—simply naming cyclones based on what they hit.[113][114] The system currently
used provides positive identification of severe weather systems in a brief
form, that is readily understood and recognized by the public.[113][114] The credit
for the first usage of personal names for weather systems is generally given
to the Queensland Government Meteorologist Clement Wragge who named
systems between 1887 and 1907.[113][114] This system of naming weather
systems fell into disuse for several years after Wragge retired, until it was
revived in the latter part of World War II for the Western Pacific.[113][114] Formal
naming schemes have subsequently been introduced for the North and South
Atlantic, Eastern, Central, Western and Southern Pacific basins as well as the
Australian region and Indian Ocean.[114]

At present, tropical cyclones are officially named by one of

twelve meteorological services and retain their names throughout their
lifetimes to provide ease of communication between forecasters and the
general public regarding forecasts, watches, and warnings.[113] Since the
systems can last a week or longer, and more than one can be occurring in
the same basin at the same time, the names are thought to reduce the
confusion about what storm is being described.[113] Names are assigned in
order from predetermined lists with one, three, or ten-minute sustained wind
speeds of more than 65 km/h (40 mph) depending on which basin it
originates.[19][21][22]

Standards vary from basin to basin. Some tropical depressions are named in
the Western Pacific. Tropical cyclones have to have a significant amount of
gale-force winds occurring around the center before they are named within
the Southern Hemisphere.[22][23] The names of significant tropical cyclones in
the North Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, and Australian region are retired
from the naming lists and replaced with another name.[19][20][23] Tropical cyclones
that develop around the world are assigned an identification code consisting
of a two-digit number and suffix letter by the warning centers that monitor
them.[23][115]

Related cyclone types

See also: Cyclone, Extratropical cyclone, and Subtropical cyclone

In addition to tropical cyclones, there are two other classes of cyclones within
the spectrum of cyclone types. These kinds of cyclones, known
as extratropical cyclones and subtropical cyclones, can be stages a tropical
cyclone passes through during its formation or dissipation.[116] An extratropical
cyclone is a storm that derives energy from horizontal temperature
differences, which are typical in higher latitudes. A tropical cyclone can
become extratropical as it moves toward higher latitudes if its energy source
changes from heat released by condensation to differences in temperature
between air masses. Although not as frequently, an extratropical cyclone can
transform into a subtropical storm, and from there into a tropical cyclone.
[117]
From space, extratropical storms have a characteristic "comma-shaped"
cloud pattern.[118] Extratropical cyclones can also be dangerous when their
low-pressure centers cause powerful winds and high seas.[119]

A subtropical cyclone is a weather system that has some characteristics of a

tropical cyclone and some characteristics of an extratropical cyclone. They
can form in a wide band of latitudes, from the equator to 50°. Although
subtropical storms rarely have hurricane-force winds, they may become
tropical in nature as their cores warm.[120]

Structure
Eye and center
Main article: Eye (cyclone)
 The eye and surrounding clouds of 2018 Hurricane
Florence as seen from the International Space Station

At the center of a mature tropical cyclone, air sinks rather than rises. For a
sufficiently strong storm, air may sink over a layer deep enough to suppress
cloud formation, thereby creating a clear "eye". Weather in the eye is
normally calm and free of convective clouds, although the sea may be
extremely violent.[121] The eye is normally circular and is typically 30–65 km
(19–40 mi) in diameter, though eyes as small as 3 km (1.9 mi) and as large
as 370 km (230 mi) have been observed.[122][123]

The cloudy outer edge of the eye is called the "eyewall". The eyewall typically
expands outward with height, resembling an arena football stadium; this
phenomenon is sometimes referred to as the "stadium effect".[123] The eyewall
is where the greatest wind speeds are found, air rises most rapidly, clouds
reach their highest altitude, and precipitation is the heaviest. The heaviest
wind damage occurs where a tropical cyclone's eyewall passes over land.[121]

In a weaker storm, the eye may be obscured by the central dense overcast,
which is the upper-level cirrus shield that is associated with a concentrated
area of strong thunderstorm activity near the center of a tropical cyclone.[124]

The eyewall may vary over time in the form of eyewall replacement cycles,
particularly in intense tropical cyclones. Outer rainbands can organize into an
outer ring of thunderstorms that slowly moves inward, which is believed to rob
the primary eyewall of moisture and angular momentum. When the primary
eyewall weakens, the tropical cyclone weakens temporarily. The outer
eyewall eventually replaces the primary one at the end of the cycle, at which
time the storm may return to its original intensity.[125]

Size

Size descriptions of tropical cyclones

ROCI (Diameter) Type

Less than 2 degrees latitude Very small/minor

2 to 3 degrees of latitude Small

 3 to 6 degrees of latitude Medium/average/normal

6 to 8 degrees of latitude Large

Over 8 degrees of latitude Very large[126]

Though large hurricane size does not imply strength—

which is based on sustained wind measurements—it can mean that more people are
exposed to its hazards.[127]
There are a variety of metrics commonly used to measure storm size. The
most common metrics include the radius of maximum wind, the radius of 34-
knot (17 m/s; 63 km/h; 39 mph) wind (i.e. gale force), the radius of outermost
closed isobar (ROCI), and the radius of vanishing wind.[128][129] An additional
metric is the radius at which the cyclone's relative vorticity field decreases to
1×10−5 s−1.[123]

On Earth, tropical cyclones span a large range of sizes, from 100–2,000 km

(62–1,243 mi) as measured by the radius of vanishing wind. They are largest
on average in the northwest Pacific Ocean basin and smallest in the
northeastern Pacific Ocean basin.[130] If the radius of outermost closed isobar
is less than two degrees of latitude (222 km (138 mi)), then the cyclone is
"very small" or a "midget". A radius of 3–6 latitude degrees (333–670 km
(207–416 mi)) is considered "average sized". "Very large" tropical cyclones
have a radius of greater than 8 degrees (888 km (552 mi)).[126] Observations
indicate that size is only weakly correlated to variables such as storm
intensity (i.e. maximum wind speed), radius of maximum wind, latitude, and
maximum potential intensity.[129][130] Typhoon Tip is the largest cyclone on
record, with tropical storm-force winds 2,170 km (1,350 mi) in diameter. The
smallest storm on record is Tropical Storm Marco of 2008, which generated
tropical storm-force winds only 37 km (23 mi) in diameter.[131]

Movement
The movement of a tropical cyclone (i.e. its "track") is typically approximated
as the sum of two terms: "steering" by the background environmental wind
and "beta drift".[132] Some tropical cyclones can move across large distances,
such as Hurricane John, the second longest-lasting tropical cyclone on
record, which traveled 13,280 km (8,250 mi), the longest track of any
Northern Hemisphere tropical cyclone, over its 31-day lifespan in 1994.[133][134]
[135]

Environmental steering
Environmental steering is the primary influence on the motion of tropical
cyclones.[136] It represents the movement of the storm due to prevailing winds
and other wider environmental conditions, similar to "leaves carried along by
a stream".[137]

Physically, the winds, or flow field, in the vicinity of a tropical cyclone may be
treated as having two parts: the flow associated with the storm itself, and the
large-scale background flow of the environment.[136] Tropical cyclones can be
treated as local maxima of vorticity suspended within the large-scale
background flow of the environment.[138] In this way, tropical cyclone motion
may be represented to first-order as advection of the storm by the
local environmental flow.[139] This environmental flow is termed the "steering
flow" and is the dominant influence on tropical cyclone motion.[136] The
strength and direction of the steering flow can be approximated as a vertical
integration of the winds blowing horizontally in the cyclone's vicinity, weighted
by the altitude at which those winds are occurring. Because winds can vary
with height, determining the steering flow precisely can be difficult.

The pressure altitude at which the background winds are most correlated with
a tropical cyclone's motion is known as the "steering level".[138] The motion of
stronger tropical cyclones is more correlated with the background flow
averaged across a thicker portion of troposphere compared to weaker tropical
cyclones whose motion is more correlated with the background flow averaged
across a narrower extent of the lower troposphere.[140] When wind shear
and latent heat release is present, tropical cyclones tend to move towards
regions where potential vorticity is increasing most quickly.[141]

Climatologically, tropical cyclones are steered primarily westward by the east-

to-west trade winds on the equatorial side of the subtropical ridge—a
persistent high-pressure area over the world's subtropical oceans.[137] In the
tropical North Atlantic and Northeast Pacific oceans, the trade winds
steer tropical easterly waves westward from the African coast toward the
Caribbean Sea, North America, and ultimately into the central Pacific Ocean
before the waves dampen out.[142] These waves are the precursors to many
tropical cyclones within this region.[143] In contrast, in the Indian Ocean and
Western Pacific in both hemispheres, tropical cyclogenesis is influenced less
by tropical easterly waves and more by the seasonal movement of the
Intertropical Convergence Zone and the monsoon trough.[144] Other weather
systems such as mid-latitude troughs and broad monsoon gyres can also
influence tropical cyclone motion by modifying the steering flow.[140][145]

Beta drift
In addition to environmental steering, a tropical cyclone will tend to drift
poleward and westward, a motion known as "beta drift".[146] This motion is due
to the superposition of a vortex, such as a tropical cyclone, onto an
environment in which the Coriolis force varies with latitude, such as on a
sphere or beta plane.[147] The magnitude of the component of tropical cyclone
motion associated with the beta drift ranges between 1–3 m/s (3.6–
10.8 km/h; 2.2–6.7 mph) and tends to be larger for more intense tropical
cyclones and at higher latitudes. It is induced indirectly by the storm itself as
a result of feedback between the cyclonic flow of the storm and its
environment.[148][146]

Physically, the cyclonic circulation of the storm advects environmental air

poleward east of center and equatorial west of center. Because air must
conserve its angular momentum, this flow configuration induces a cyclonic
gyre equatorward and westward of the storm center and an anticyclonic gyre
poleward and eastward of the storm center. The combined flow of these
gyres acts to advect the storm slowly poleward and westward. This effect
occurs even if there is zero environmental flow.[149][150] Due to a direct
dependence of the beta drift on angular momentum, the size of a tropical
cyclone can affect the influence of beta drift on its motion; beta drift imparts a
greater influence on the movement of larger tropical cyclones than that of
smaller ones.[151][152]

Multiple storm interaction

Main article: Fujiwhara effect

A third component of motion that occurs relatively infrequently involves the

interaction of multiple tropical cyclones. When two cyclones approach one
another, their centers will begin orbiting cyclonically about a point between
the two systems. Depending on their separation distance and strength, the
two vortices may simply orbit around one another, or else may spiral into the
center point and merge. When the two vortices are of unequal size, the larger
vortex will tend to dominate the interaction, and the smaller vortex will orbit
around it. This phenomenon is called the Fujiwhara effect, after Sakuhei
Fujiwhara.[153]

Interaction with the mid-latitude westerlies

See also: Westerlies

Storm track of Typhoon Ioke, showing recurvature off

the Japanese coast in 2006

Though a tropical cyclone typically moves from east to west in the tropics, its
track may shift poleward and eastward either as it moves west of the
subtropical ridge axis or else if it interacts with the mid-latitude flow, such as
the jet stream or an extratropical cyclone. This motion, termed "recurvature",
commonly occurs near the western edge of the major ocean basins, where
the jet stream typically has a poleward component and extratropical cyclones
are common.[154] An example of tropical cyclone recurvature was Typhoon
Ioke in 2006.[155]

Effects
Main articles: Effects of tropical cyclones and Tropical cyclone effects by region

Natural phenomena caused or worsened by tropical cyclones

Tropical cyclones out at sea cause large waves, heavy rain, floods and high
winds, disrupting international shipping and, at times, causing shipwrecks.
[156]
Tropical cyclones stir up water, leaving a cool wake behind them, which
causes the region to be less favorable for subsequent tropical cyclones.[66] On
land, strong winds can damage or destroy vehicles, buildings, bridges, and
other outside objects, turning loose debris into deadly flying projectiles.
The storm surge, or the increase in sea level due to the cyclone, is typically
the worst effect from landfalling tropical cyclones, historically resulting in 90%
of tropical cyclone deaths.[157] Cyclone Mahina produced the highest storm
surge on record, 13 m (43 ft), at Bathurst Bay, Queensland, Australia, in
March 1899.[158]

Other ocean-based hazards that tropical cyclones produce are rip

currents and undertow. These hazards can occur hundreds of kilometers
(hundreds of miles) away from the center of a cyclone, even if other weather
conditions are favorable.[159][160] The broad rotation of a landfalling tropical
cyclone, and vertical wind shear at its periphery, spawns tornadoes.
Tornadoes can also be spawned as a result of eyewall mesovortices, which
persist until landfall.[161] Hurricane Ivan produced 120 tornadoes, more than
any other tropical cyclone.[162] Lightning activity is produced within tropical
cyclones. This activity is more intense within stronger storms and closer to
and within the storm's eyewall.[163][164] Tropical cyclones can increase the
amount of snowfall a region experiences by delivering additional moisture.
[165]
Wildfires can be worsened when a nearby storm fans their flames with its
strong winds.[166][167]
Effect on property and human life

Aftermath of Hurricane Ike in Bolivar Peninsula, Texas

The number of $1 billion Atlantic hurricanes almost

doubled from the 1980s to the 2010s, and inflation-adjusted costs have increased more
than elevenfold.[168] The increases have been attributed to climate change and to greater
numbers of people moving to coastal areas.[168]

Tropical cyclones regularly affect the coastlines of most of Earth's major

bodies of water along the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans. Tropical
cyclones have caused significant destruction and loss of human life, resulting
in about 2 million deaths since the 19th century.[169] Large areas of standing
water caused by flooding lead to infection, as well as contributing
to mosquito-borne illnesses. Crowded evacuees in shelters increase the risk
of disease propagation.[157] Tropical cyclones significantly interrupt
infrastructure, leading to power outages, bridge and road destruction, and the
hampering of reconstruction efforts.[157][170][171]

Winds and water from storms can damage or destroy homes, buildings, and
other manmade structures.[172][173] Tropical cyclones destroy agriculture, kill
livestock, and prevent access to marketplaces for both buyers and sellers;
both of these result in financial losses.[174][175][176] Powerful cyclones that
make landfall – moving from the ocean to over land – are some of the most
powerful, although that is not always the case. An average of 86 tropical
cyclones of tropical storm intensity form annually worldwide, with 47 reaching
hurricane or typhoon strength, and 20 becoming intense tropical cyclones,
super typhoons, or major hurricanes (at least of Category 3 intensity).[177]

Africa
In Africa, tropical cyclones can originate from tropical waves generated over
the Sahara Desert,[178] or otherwise strike the Horn of Africa and Southern
Africa.[179][180] Cyclone Idai in March 2019 hit central Mozambique, becoming
the deadliest tropical cyclone on record in Africa, with 1,302 fatalities, and
damage estimated at US$2.2 billion.[181][182] Réunion island, located east of
Southern Africa, experiences some of the wettest tropical cyclones on record.
In January 1980, Cyclone Hyacinthe produced 6,083 mm (239.5 in) of rain
over 15 days, which was the largest rain total recorded from a tropical
cyclone on record.[183][184][185]
Asia
In Asia, tropical cyclones from the Indian and Pacific oceans regularly affect
some of the most populated countries on Earth. In 1970, a
cyclone struck Bangladesh, then known as East Pakistan, producing a 6.1 m
(20 ft) storm surge that killed at least 300,000 people. This made it the
deadliest tropical cyclone on record.[186] In October 2019, Typhoon
Hagibis struck the Japanese island of Honshu and inflicted US$15 billion in
damage, making it the costliest storm on record in Japan.[187] The islands that
comprise Oceania, from Australia to French Polynesia, are routinely affected
by tropical cyclones.[188][189][190] In Indonesia, a cyclone struck the island
of Flores in April 1973, killing 1,653 people, making it the deadliest tropical
cyclone recorded in the Southern Hemisphere.[191][192]

North and South America

Atlantic and Pacific hurricanes regularly affect North America. In the United
States, hurricanes Katrina in 2005 and Harvey in 2017 are the country's
costliest ever natural disasters, with monetary damage estimated at
US$125 billion. Katrina struck Louisiana and largely destroyed the city of New
Orleans,[193][194] while Harvey caused significant flooding in
southeastern Texas after it dropped 60.58 in (1,539 mm) of rainfall; this was
the highest rainfall total on record in the country.[194]

The Caribbean islands are regularly hit by hurricanes, which have caused
multiple humanitarian crises in Haiti since 2004 due in part to the lack of
infrastructure and high population density in urban areas.[195][196] In 2004,
hurricane Jeanne caused severe flooding and mudslides, and a total
estimated 3,006 deaths.[197] More recently, in 2016, hurricane Mathew caused
US$2.8 billion in damages, killing an estimated 674 people.[198][199]

The northern portion of South America experiences occasional tropical

cyclones, with 173 fatalities from Tropical Storm Bret in August 1993.[200]
[201]
The South Atlantic Ocean is generally inhospitable to the formation of a
tropical storm.[202] However, in March 2004, Hurricane Catarina struck
southeastern Brazil as the first hurricane on record in the South Atlantic
Ocean.[203]

Europe
Europe is rarely affected by tropical cyclones; however, the continent
regularly encounters storms after they transitioned into extratropical cyclones.
Only one tropical depression – Vince in 2005 – struck Spain,[204] and only
one subtropical cyclone – Subtropical Storm Alpha in 2020 – struck Portugal.
[205]
Occasionally, there are tropical-like cyclones in the Mediterranean Sea.[206]

Environmental effects
Although cyclones take an enormous toll in lives and personal property, they
may be important factors in the precipitation regimes of places they affect, as
they may bring much-needed precipitation to otherwise dry regions.[207] Their
precipitation may also alleviate drought conditions by restoring soil moisture,
though one study focused on the Southeastern United States suggested
tropical cyclones did not offer significant drought recovery.[208][209][210] Tropical
cyclones also help maintain the global heat balance by moving warm, moist
tropical air to the middle latitudes and polar regions,[211] and by regulating
the thermohaline circulation through upwelling.[212] Research on Pacific
cyclones has demonstrated that deeper layers of the ocean receive a heat
transfer from these powerful storms.[213][214]

The storm surge and winds of hurricanes may be destructive to human-made

structures, but they also stir up the waters of coastal estuaries, which are
typically important fish breeding locales.[215] Ecosystems, such
as saltmarshes and Mangrove forests, can be severely damaged or
destroyed by tropical cyclones, which erode land and destroy vegetation.[216]
[217]
Tropical cyclones can cause harmful algae blooms to form in bodies of
water by increasing the amount of nutrients available.[218][219][220] Insect
populations can decrease in both quantity and diversity after the passage of
storms.[221] Strong winds associated with tropical cyclones and their remnants
are capable of felling thousands of trees, causing damage to forests.[222]

When hurricanes surge upon shore from the ocean, salt is introduced to
many freshwater areas and raises the salinity levels too high for some
habitats to withstand. Some are able to cope with the salt and recycle it back
into the ocean, but others can not release the extra surface water quickly
enough or do not have a large enough freshwater source to replace it.
Because of this, some species of plants and vegetation die due to the excess
salt.[223] Hurricanes can carry toxins and acids onshore when they make
landfall. The floodwater can pick up the toxins from different spills and
contaminate the land that it passes over. These toxins are harmful to the
people and animals in the area, as well as the environment around them.
[224]
Tropical cyclones can cause oil spills by damaging or destroying pipelines
and storage facilities.[225][218][226] Similarly, chemical spills have been reported
when chemical and processing facilities were damaged.[226][227][228] Waterways
have become contaminated with toxic levels of metals such
as nickel, chromium, and mercury during tropical cyclones.[229][230]

Tropical cyclones can have an extensive effect on geography, such as

creating or destroying land.[231][232] Cyclone Bebe increased the size
of Tuvalu island, Funafuti Atoll, by nearly 20%.[231][233][234] Hurricane
Walaka destroyed the small East Island in 2018,[232][235] which destroyed the
habitat for the endangered Hawaiian monk seal, as well as, threatened sea
turtles and seabirds.[236] Landslides frequently occur during tropical cyclones
and can vastly alter landscapes. Some storms are capable of causing
hundreds to tens of thousands of landslides.[237][238][239][240] Storms can erode
coastlines over an extensive area and transport the sediment to other
locations.[230][241][242]

Observation and forecasting

Observation
Main article: Tropical cyclone observation
 A sunset view of Hurricane
Isidore's rainbands photographed at 2,100 m (7,000 ft)"Hurricane Hunter" – WP-3D Orion is
used to go into the eye of a hurricane for data collection and measurements purposes.

Tropical cyclones have occurred around the world for millennia. Reanalyses
and research are being undertaken to extend the historical record, through
the usage of proxy data such as overwash deposits, beach ridges and
historical documents such as diaries.[243] Major tropical cyclones leave traces
in overwash records and shell layers in some coastal areas, which have been
used to gain insight into hurricane activity over the past thousands of years.
[244]
Sediment records in Western Australia suggest an intense tropical cyclone
in the 4th millennium BC.[243]

Proxy records based on paleotempestological research have revealed that

major hurricane activity along the Gulf of Mexico coast varies on timescales
of centuries to millennia.[245][246] In the year 957, a powerful typhoon
struck southern China, killing around 10,000 people due to flooding.
[247]
The Spanish colonization of Mexico described "tempestades" in 1730,
[248]
although the official record for Pacific hurricanes only dates to 1949.[249] In
the south-west Indian Ocean, the tropical cyclone record goes back to 1848.
[250]
In 2003, the Atlantic hurricane reanalysis project examined and analyzed
the historical record of tropical cyclones in the Atlantic back to 1851,
extending the existing database from 1886.[251]

Before satellite imagery became available during the 20th century, many of
these systems went undetected unless it impacted land or a ship
encountered it by chance.[1] Often in part because of the threat of hurricanes,
many coastal regions had sparse population between major ports until the
advent of automobile tourism; therefore, the most severe portions of
hurricanes striking the coast may have gone unmeasured in some instances.
The combined effects of ship destruction and remote landfall severely limit
the number of intense hurricanes in the official record before the era of
hurricane reconnaissance aircraft and satellite meteorology. Although the
record shows a distinct increase in the number and strength of intense
hurricanes, therefore, experts regard the early data as suspect.[252] The ability
of climatologists to make a long-term analysis of tropical cyclones is limited
by the amount of reliable historical data.[253]

In the 1940s, routine aircraft reconnaissance started in both the Atlantic and
Western Pacific basin in the mid-1940s, which provided ground truth data.
Early flights were only made once or twice a day.[1] In 1960, Polar-orbiting
weather satellites were first launched by the United States National
Aeronautics and Space Administration, but were not declared operational
until 1965.[1] It took several years for some of the warning centers to take
advantage of this new viewing platform and develop the expertise to
associate satellite signatures with storm position and intensity.[1]

Intense tropical cyclones pose a particular observation challenge, as they are

a dangerous oceanic phenomenon, and weather stations, being relatively
sparse, are rarely available on the site of the storm itself. In general, surface
observations are available only if the storm is passing over an island or a
coastal area, or if there is a nearby ship. Real-time measurements are usually
taken in the periphery of the cyclone, where conditions are less catastrophic
and its true strength cannot be evaluated. For this reason, there are teams of
meteorologists that move into the path of tropical cyclones to help evaluate
their strength at the point of landfall.[254]

Tropical cyclones are tracked by weather

satellites capturing visible and infrared images from space, usually at half-
hour to quarter-hour intervals. As a storm approaches land, it can be
observed by land-based Doppler weather radar. Radar plays a crucial role
around landfall by showing a storm's location and intensity every several
minutes.[255] Other satellites provide information from the perturbations
of GPS signals, providing thousands of snapshots per day and capturing
atmospheric temperature, pressure, and moisture content.[256]

In situ measurements, in real-time, can be taken by sending specially

equipped reconnaissance flights into the cyclone. In the Atlantic basin, these
flights are regularly flown by United States government hurricane hunters.
[257]
These aircraft fly directly into the cyclone and take direct and remote-
sensing measurements. The aircraft launch GPS dropsondes inside the
cyclone. These sondes measure temperature, humidity, pressure, and
especially winds between flight level and the ocean's surface. A new era in
hurricane observation began when a remotely piloted Aerosonde, a small
drone aircraft, was flown through Tropical Storm Ophelia as it
passed Virginia's eastern shore during the 2005 hurricane season. A similar
mission was also completed successfully in the western Pacific Ocean.[258]

Forecasting
See also: Tropical cyclone track forecasting, Tropical cyclone prediction model,
and Tropical cyclone rainfall forecasting
 A general decrease in error trends in tropical
cyclone path prediction is evident since the 1970s.

High-speed computers and sophisticated simulation software allow

forecasters to produce computer models that predict tropical cyclone tracks
based on the future position and strength of high- and low-pressure systems.
Combining forecast models with increased understanding of the forces that
act on tropical cyclones, as well as with a wealth of data from Earth-
orbiting satellites and other sensors, scientists have increased the accuracy
of track forecasts over recent decades.[259]

However, scientists are not as skillful at predicting the intensity of tropical

cyclones.[260] The lack of improvement in intensity forecasting is attributed to
the complexity of tropical systems and an incomplete understanding of
factors that affect their development. New tropical cyclone position and
forecast information is available at least every six hours from the various
warning centers.[261][262][263][264][265]

Geopotential height
Main article: Geopotential height

In meteorology, geopotential heights are used when creating forecasts and

analyzing pressure systems. Geopotential heights represent the estimate of
the real height of a pressure system above the average sea level.
[266]
Geopotential heights for weather are divided up into several levels. The
lowest geopotential height level is 850 hPa (25.10 inHg), which represents
the lowest 1,500 m (5,000 ft) of the atmosphere. The moisture content,
gained by using either the relative humidity or the precipitable water value, is
used in creating forecasts for precipitation.[267]

The next level, 700 hPa (20.67 inHg), is at a height of 2,300–3,200 m (7,700–
10,500 ft). 700 hPa is regarded as the highest point in the lower atmosphere.
At this layer, both vertical movement and moisture levels are used to locate
and create forecasts for precipitation.[268] The middle level of the atmosphere is
at 500 hPa (14.76 inHg) or a height of 4,900–6,100 m (16,000–20,000 ft).
The 500 hPa level is used for measuring atmospheric vorticity, commonly
known as the spin of air. The relative humidity is also analyzed at this height
to establish where precipitation is likely to materialize.[269] The next level
occurs at 300 hPa (8.859 inHg) or a height of 8,200–9,800 m (27,000–
32,000 ft).[270] The top-most level is located at 200 hPa (5.906 inHg), which
corresponds to a height of 11,000–12,000 m (35,000–41,000 ft). Both the 200
and 300 hPa levels are mainly used to locate the jet stream.[271]

Society and culture

Preparations
Main articles: Tropical cyclone preparedness and Tropical cyclone engineering

Evacuation route sign on Tulane Avenue in New

Orleans shows lines from long standing floodwaters after Hurricane Katrina.

Ahead of the formal season starting, people are urged to prepare for the
effects of a tropical cyclone by politicians and weather forecasters, among
others. They prepare by determining their risk to the different types of
weather, tropical cyclones cause, checking their insurance coverage and
emergency supplies, as well as determining where to evacuate to if needed.
[272][273][274]
When a tropical cyclone develops and is forecast to impact land, each
member nation of the World Meteorological Organization issues
various watches and warnings to cover the expected effects.[275] However,
there are some exceptions with the United States National Hurricane Center
and Fiji Meteorological Service responsible for issuing or recommending
warnings for other nations in their area of responsibility.[276][277][278]: 2–4

An important decision in individual preparedness is determining if and when

to evacuate an area that will be affected by a tropical cyclone.[279] Tropical
cyclone tracking charts allow people to track ongoing systems to form their
own opinions regarding where the storms are going and whether or not they
need to prepare for the system being tracked, including possible evacuation.
This continues to be encouraged by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration and National Hurricane Center.[280]

Response
Main article: Tropical cyclone response

This section needs

expansion. You can help
by making an edit
 request. (October 2022)

Relief efforts for Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas

Hurricane response is the disaster response after a hurricane. Activities
performed by hurricane responders include assessment, restoration, and
demolition of buildings; removal of debris and waste; repairs to land-based
and maritime infrastructure; and public health services including search and
rescue operations.[281] Hurricane response requires coordination between
federal, tribal, state, local, and private entities.[282] According to the National
Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, potential response volunteers
should affiliate with established organizations and should not self-deploy, so
that proper training and support can be provided to mitigate the danger and
stress of response work.[283]

Hurricane responders face many hazards. Hurricane responders may be

exposed to chemical and biological contaminants including stored
chemicals, sewage, human remains, and mold growth encouraged by
flooding,[284][285][286] as well as asbestos and lead that may be present in older
buildings.[285][287] Common injuries arise from falls from heights, such as from a
ladder or from level surfaces; from electrocution in flooded areas, including
from backfeed from portable generators; or from motor vehicle accidents.[284][287]
[288]
Long and irregular shifts may lead to sleep deprivation and fatigue,
increasing the risk of injuries, and workers may experience mental stress
associated with a traumatic incident. Heat stress is a concern as workers are
often exposed to hot and humid temperatures, wear protective clothing and
equipment, and have physically difficult tasks.[284][287]

Cyclone Disaster Management encompasses mitigation and preparedness

measures for cyclones. India has a long history with cyclones. The location of India
in the north Indian Ocean makes it vulnerable to the tropical cyclone. In 2019-20,
India witnessed multiple cyclones including Amphan, Nisarga, Nivar, etc. Hence, it is
important for the IAS Exam aspirants to look into the issue from a holistic
perspective.

This article will brief you with cyclone mitigation and preparedness measures and
also India’s initiatives for Cyclone Disaster Management. It is helpful for UPSC
candidates for the preparation of ‘Disaster Management-related topics’ for Mains
General Studies Paper 3, and essay.

Read about Disaster Management in India in the linked article.

The candidates preparing for UPSC 2023 can refer to the following links to complement their
studies:

1. Current Affairs
2. Government Schemes
3. Differences Between Articles
4. Important Acts in India
5. This Day in History
6. UPSC Mains GS 3 Strategy, Syllabus and Structure

A Brief About Cyclones

The storms caused by wind blowing around the low-pressure areas are
called cyclones. Similarly, storms around the high-pressure areas are called
anticyclones. There are types of cyclones:

1. Tropical Cyclone

 The storms that originate over a warm tropical ocean are termed as tropical cyclones.
 Low atmospheric pressure, high winds and heavy rainfall are characteristics of these
types of cyclones.
 Parts of the Atlantic region, pacific ocean, Indian ocean witness tropical cyclones
affecting Gulf Coast of North America, northwestern Australia, and eastern India and
Bangladesh along with other areas.

To know how tropical cyclones are formed, what are their characteristics; read the
linked article.

2. Temperate Cyclone

 These are storms that occur outside the tropics.

 These are referred to as extratropical cyclones. Other names are frontal cyclones and
wave cyclones.
 They occur in polar regions, temperate and high latitudes.

To know the difference between tropical and extratropical cyclones, check the linked
article.

Cyclones in India
India witnesses cyclones in the North Indian Ocean Cyclone Season usually
between April and November. The Indian coastline length is around 7516 km and it
is noted that 5770 km of coastline is vulnerable to natural hazards including
cyclones. The east coast of India is more prone to cyclones than the western coast.
In Indian History, there have been various cyclones that made headlines due to their
effect on the country.

The list of some important cyclones of India is given below:

1. Bhola Cyclone – 1970

 It struck Bangladesh (Then, East Pakistan) and West Bengal in 1970.

 It was the strongest cyclone of the 1970 North Indian Ocean Cyclone Season.
 It is considered as the deadliest cyclone causing around 3-5 lakh deaths.

2. Odisha Cyclone – 1999

 It was a very severe cyclonic storm that struck Thailand, Bangladesh, Myanmar and
India.
 As the name suggests, Odisha was the most affected Indian state.
 According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD)’s data, around 9887 people lost
their lives in this cyclone.

3. Cyclone Fani – 2019

 After the Odisha Cyclone 1999, it was the second strongest cyclone to strike Odisha.

A detailed description of the Cyclone Fani was taken up in the In-Depth discussion of
Rajya Sabha TV, which is given in a brief in the linked article.

4. Cyclone Amphan – 2020

 It was a super tropical cyclone that affected Indian states of West Bengal and Odisha;
and Bangladesh.
 It originated in the Bay of Bengal in May 2020.
 It is noted to be the costliest tropical cyclone on record in the North Indian Ocean costing
Rs. 1.03 crores economic loss.

Read in detail about the characteristics of Cyclone Amphan in the linked article.

5. Cyclone Nisarga – 2020

 It was a severe cyclonic storm that formed over the Arabian Sea.
 Maharashtra and Gujarat were the Indian states that were affected by this cyclonic storm.

Read about the formation and characteristics of Cyclone Nisarga at the linked article.

6. Cyclone Nivar – 2020

 It was a severe cyclonic storm that affected Tamil Nadu and Puducherry in November
2020.
 There was no loss of life but damaged horticultural crops in about 23000 acres.

The important facts about Cyclone Nivar are mentioned in detail in the linked article.
7. Cyclone Burevi – 2020

 It is a cyclonic storm that affected Tamil Nadu and Kerala in India.

 It followed the Nivar Cyclone and originated in the southwest region of Bay of Bengal, in
December 2020.

Read about the formation of Bomb Cyclones in the linked article.

Cyclone Disaster Management

The above-mentioned data signifies the importance of cyclone disaster management
in India to mitigate personal and economic losses.

Mitigation Measures

The mitigation measures as proposed by the UN-HABITAT are given below:

1. Hazard Mapping – It suggests that using hazard mapping, one can predict the
vulnerable areas affected by the storms. It maps the pattern of old cyclones using their
wind speed, areas affected, flooding frequency etc.
2. Land use planning – With the effective implementation of land use planning, the key
activities and settlements can be avoided in the most vulnerable areas. For example, a
settlement in the floodplains is at utmost risk. Hence, authorities should plan ahead to
avoid such risks.
3. Engineered Structures – These structures withstand the wind forces and prove to
mitigate the losses. The public infrastructure of the country should be designed keeping
in mind the hazard mapping of the cyclone.
4. Retrofitting Non-Engineered Structures – The settlements in non-engineered
structures should ensure that they are aware of their houses’ resistance to the wind or
certain disastrous weather conditions. A few examples of retrofitting the non-engineered
structures given by UN-HABITAT are:

 Construction of a steep-slope roof to avoid the risk of being blown away.

 Anchoring strong posts with solid footings on the ground.
 Plantations of trees at a safe distance from the house to help break the wind
forces.
 Repair of the shelters before time.
5. Cyclone Sheltering – At national, state and regional level, the construction of cyclone
shelters should be taken up to help the vulnerable community from cyclones. The
shelters should be built considering the population density, transportation and
communication, distance from the affected areas of the past, and the areas’ topography.
6. Flood Management – As the cyclonic storms lead to heavy rainfall that further lead to
flooding in various areas; important should be given to the flood management. The
drainage systems should be well-designed to mitigate flooding. The participation both
from the government and the local community is required for this. (Read about Floods in
the linked article.)
7. Vegetation Cover Improvement – To increase the water infiltration capacity, improving
vegetation cover is of high importance. Planting trees in rows, coastal shelterbelt
plantations, mangrove shelterbelt plantations, etc can help break the wind force and
mitigate the severe losses.
 8. Mangrove Plantation – The ecologically-efficient mangroves should be planted more.
India has 3 per cent of the world’s mangroves cover. The root systems of mangroves
help in mitigating tsunamis, soil erosion etc. (Read about important facts, the significance
of Mangroves in the linked article.)
9. Saline Embankment – Along the coast, saline embankments help protect habitation,
agricultural crops, and other important installations.
10. Levees – They act as an obstruction to the wind forces and also provide a shelter during
floods. (Learn about important terms related to rivers in the linked article.)
11. Artificial Hills – These act as the refuge during flooding, and should be taken up in the
right areas.
12. Awareness of the public – The participation of the community increases with the
number of public awareness initiatives. The governments at all levels should initiate
programs bringing awareness about the natural calamities and making provisions for
higher local participation in the mitigation process.

India’s Cyclone Disaster Management Initiatives

Let us read about a few governmental initiatives for cyclone management in India:

1. National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project

 India initiated this project to undertake structural and non-structural measures to

mitigate the cyclone’s effects.
 It is designed for coastal states and UTs of India.
 The aim of the project is to protect the vulnerable local communities from the
impact of cyclones and other hydro-meteorological calamities.
 The phase 1 of the project spans from 2015-2020.
 The World Bank is providing financial assistance for this project.
 It is being implemented by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA.)
2. Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) Project
 In August 2019, a draft of Environmental and Social Management Framework
(ESMF) for integrated coastal management was released by the Ministry of
Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC.)
 It aims to bring a comprehensive plan to manage coastal areas.
3. Coastal Regulation Zones (CRZ) – The CRZ Notification 2018 and 2019 bring new
reforms w.r.t sustainable development of coastal areas. Read in detail about the Coastal
Regulation Zones in the linked article.
4. IMD’s Colour Coding of Cyclones
 It is a weather warning that is issued by the IMD to aware people ahead of
natural hazards.
 The four colours used by IMD are Green, Yellow, Orange, and Red.

Recently, in December 2020, IMD’s DG announced the introduction of a dynamic

and impact-based cyclonic warning system. IMD will work with NDMA, INCOIS and
various state governments to successfully introduce this system.