Turmeric Man of Himachal Pradesh

Understanding Cyclone Fengal

In recent news, Cyclone Fengal has drawn attention as it brought heavy rainfall and strong winds to Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. The cyclone led to disruptions such as the suspension of flights at Chennai airport, closure of educational institutions, and advisories for remote work in IT companies. This occurrence provides an opportunity to explore the science behind cyclones, their types, and the impact of such natural phenomena in the region.

What is a Cyclone?

A cyclone is a large-scale system of rotating air around a low-pressure center, often accompanied by violent storms and bad weather. The direction of rotation depends on the hemisphere:

• Northern Hemisphere: Anticlockwise rotation.
• Southern Hemisphere: Clockwise rotation.

Cyclones are categorized broadly into extratropical cyclones and tropical cyclones, based on their origin and characteristics.

Extratropical Cyclones

Definition: Also known as mid-latitude cyclones, these occur outside the tropical regions and derive energy from the interaction of cold and warm air masses.

Key Features:

• Core contains cold air.
• Associated with one or more weather fronts (boundaries between air masses).
• Occur over both land and ocean.
• For example, these systems often lead to significant weather changes, including strong winds, precipitation, and temperature drops, commonly seen in temperate zones.

Tropical Cyclones

Definition: These are the most devastating storms on Earth, developing in tropical regions (between the Tropics of Capricorn and Cancer).

Key Features:

• Warm core, deriving energy from the condensation of water vapor.
• Not associated with warm or cold fronts.
• Formation depends on factors like warm ocean waters, low vertical wind shear, and atmospheric instability.

Global Naming Conventions

Tropical cyclones have region-specific names:

1. Hurricanes: Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, North Atlantic, and Eastern/Central Pacific Oceans.
2. Typhoons: Western North Pacific Ocean.
3. Cyclones: Indian Ocean and South Pacific.

Cyclone Fengal: Significance of the Name

The name "Fengal," proposed by Saudi Arabia, reflects the cultural diversity of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO)/UNESCAP naming system. Cyclone names are chosen to be short, culturally sensitive, and universally understood.

Cyclone Naming Process:

• Names are selected from lists submitted by WMO member states, with each state contributing 13 names.
• Names are used in rotation and are not reused to avoid confusion.
• Post Fengal, the next cyclones will be named Shakthi (Sri Lanka) and Montha (Thailand).

Cyclones in the Arabian Sea vs. Bay of Bengal

Cyclone frequency and intensity vary significantly between the two basins due to differing climatic and geographical conditions:

Bay of Bengal:

• More cyclones form here due to:
• Warmer sea surface temperatures.
• Low vertical wind shear.
• Presence of the Himalayas, which traps and intensifies the cyclones.

Arabian Sea:

• Cyclones are less frequent but becoming more intense recently due to:
• Warmer seas caused by climate change.
• Reduced salinity levels, contributing to higher evaporation rates.

Preparedness and Mitigation

The Tamil Nadu government’s proactive measures during Cyclone Fengal highlight the importance of disaster preparedness. Declaring holidays, urging remote work, and suspending flight operations were crucial in minimizing risks to life and property.

Key Disaster Management Strategies:

• Early warning systems to predict cyclone paths.
• Public awareness campaigns to educate communities.
• Strengthening coastal infrastructure to withstand storm surges.
• Promoting afforestation to act as natural barriers.

Government Initiatives for Cyclone Preparedness

1. National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (NCRMP)

• Objective: Undertakes both structural and non-structural measures to mitigate the effects of cyclones.
• Focus: Aims to protect vulnerable communities from cyclones and hydro-meteorological calamities.
• Managed by: The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) since 2006.

2. Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) Project

• Objective: Focuses on improving the livelihoods of coastal communities and conserving ecosystems.
• Focus: Includes mapping coastlines, demarcating hazard lines, and promoting the conservation of mangroves as natural barriers.

3. Coastal Regulation Zones (CRZ)

• Objective: Declared under the Environment Protection Act, 1986, to regulate activities in coastal areas.
• Focus: Applies to zones up to 500 meters from the high tide line (HTL), ensuring environmental protection and mitigating the impact of cyclones.

4. Color Coding of Cyclones

• Objective: A weather warning system developed by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to alert people ahead of natural hazards.
• Color Codes:

1. Green: No warning.
2. Yellow: Watch for updates.
3. Orange: Be prepared.
4. Red: Take action.

5. Disaster Management Act, 2005

• Objective: Provides a legal framework for disaster management and preparedness.
• Key Features: Establishes the NDMA and State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs) for better coordination and response.
• Role: Ensures proactive measures to minimize the impact of cyclones through preparedness, early warning systems, and evacuation plans.

6. Cyclone Early Warning System (CEWS)

• Objective: Improves the timeliness and accuracy of cyclone warnings.
• Key Features: Utilizes advanced tools like Doppler radar, satellites, and forecasting models to issue timely alerts.
• Role: Provides early warning, allowing for evacuation and mitigating damage during cyclone events.

7. State-level Cyclone Risk Mitigation Projects

• Objective: Tailored initiatives to reduce cyclone risks in vulnerable states such as Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal.
• Key Features: Includes strengthening infrastructure, building cyclone shelters, and enhancing communication systems.
• Role: Aims to make regions more resilient to cyclones, reducing both immediate and long-term impacts.

9. National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM)

• Objective: Provides training, research, and capacity-building programs on disaster preparedness.
• Key Features: Offers workshops and simulations to enhance the cyclone preparedness of government agencies and local bodies.
• Role: Builds disaster response capabilities, ensuring better management of cyclone risks.

10. Sustainable Coastal Zone Management Plans (SCZMP)

• Objective: Integrates sustainable development with disaster risk reduction along India's coastlines.
• Key Features: Focuses on sustainable coastal development, ecosystem conservation, and disaster-resilient infrastructure.
• Role: Balances environmental concerns with cyclone preparedness, ensuring long-term resilience for coastal communities.

These initiatives work collaboratively to enhance India's ability to prepare for and mitigate the impacts of cyclones, ensuring the protection of lives, property, and ecosystems across vulnerable coastal and inland areas.

Conclusion

Cyclone Fengal underscores the intricate science behind cyclones and the critical role of preparedness in mitigating their impacts. As climate change alters global weather patterns, understanding cyclones and implementing robust disaster management strategies become increasingly vital to safeguarding lives and livelihoods.