Cyclonic Storm Development in the Southwest Bay of Bengal
Context:
Recently, the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) reported that a deep depression has formed in the southwest Bay of Bengal and is expected to intensify into a cyclonic storm.
Relevance:
GS-01 (Geography)
Highlights:
- The storm is predicted to move north-northwest, skirting the Sri Lankan coast toward Tamil Nadu over the next two days.
- Continuous monitoring of the system’s movement and intensity is being carried out by the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC).
What is a cyclone?
- A cyclone is a large air mass that rotates around a strong centre of low atmospheric pressure.
- It is characterised by rapid inward air circulation around a low-pressure area that brings violent storms and adverse weather conditions.
- It generally originates in warm tropical or subtropical waters.
- And they are classified into tropical cyclones and extratropical cyclones.
- The North Indian Ocean that covers the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal is a key area where cyclones form.
Tropical Cyclones:
- Violent storms originating over tropical oceans, tropical cyclones move towards coastal areas, causing extensive destruction with violent winds, heavy rainfall, and storm surges.
- Favoured conditions for their formation include a large sea surface with temperatures above 27°C, the Coriolis force, small variations in vertical wind speed, a pre-existing low-pressure area, and upper-level divergence.
- Tropical Cyclones Stages:
- Relies on the transfer of water vapor and heat from warm oceans, resulting in the formation of massive cumulus clouds
- Mature Stage: Involves intensification with vigorous thunderstorms, generating a warm ‘eye’ at the centre and highly turbulent cumulus thundercloud bands.
- Weakening occurs when the source of warm, moist air diminishes, especially after landfall or passing over cold waters.
- Nomenclature of Tropical Cyclones: Cyclones are named under the World Meteorological Organisation’s guidance, involving contributions from countries in the region. For the Indian Ocean region, a naming formula involves eight contributing countries, including India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.
- Worldwide Terminology: Tropical cyclones are referred to differently globally, such as typhoons in the China Sea, hurricanes in the Caribbean, and tornadoes in West Africa and the southern USA.
- Extratropical Cyclones:
- Also known as mid-latitude depressions or temperate cyclones, extratropical cyclones form above mid-latitudinal regions where polar and tropical air masses meet and create fronts. They are less violent than tropical cyclones and move from west to east.
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