Cyclone Biparjoy

News:

Cyclone struck India.

What:

• It is an extremely severe tropical cyclone.
• Features:
  • Speed: 5-7 kmph
  • Moved relatively slowly as it was sandwiched between 2 anticyclonic systems- one of which was pulling it northwards while the other pulled it back.
  • This caused its trajectory to wobble, resulting in what is known as ‘recurving tracks cyclone’.
  • Unusual variations in intensity- i.e. weakened for a while before picking up strength.
  • Took 5 hours to make landfall

Significance:

• Recurving tracks cyclones tend to change directions frequently, meaning it is more difficult to predict their trajectory.
• Longer landfall (note that most cyclones of similar intensity take only 3-4 hours) mean greater destructive potential.
  • The 1998 Odisha supercyclone, one of the most devastating cyclones to have hit India, took nearly 30 hours to complete landfall.
• This cyclone is a reminder that despite the significant progress achieved in improving our disaster warning systems, extreme weather events remain a threat.
• While the authorities have reduced the death toll to lower single digits, that too mainly accidental deaths, there is a need to reduce the incidence of death among livestock and other animals and the damage to infrastructure.

Where:

• Originated over the east-central part of the Arabian Sea.
• Landfall: Mandvi, Gujarat
• Also affected Pakistan