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Nivar Cyclone

Tropical Cyclone Nivar

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Summary Of Tropical Cyclone Nivar

Cyclone Nivar is a tropical cyclone which are large storms that form over warm ocean waters. Cyclone Nivar impacted Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and southern Karnataka with heavy rains, strong winds and coastal flooding on 24 & 25th November 2020. It was classified as a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm as it reached speeds of 120 km/h. It caused about 5000 crores in damages in just two days.

Background Of Tropical Cyclone Nivar

The term "cyclone" comes from the Greek word "cyclos," as when they approach they look like "coils of a snake". The ocean is filled with warm water. This warm water heats up the air above it, causing it to rise. This rising air is like a hot air balloon, filled with water vapor that it collected from the ocean. As the warm air rises, it leaves a low-pressure zone behind at the ocean's surface. This zone tries to suck in more air. Cooler air rushes in to fill this low-pressure vacuum. However, due to the Earth's rotation, this rushing air doesn't just fill the hole straight down. Instead, it starts to spin, creating a swirling vortex. This is why the winds look like a coiling snake.

The ocean is filled with warm water. This warm water heats up the air above it, causing it to rise. This rising air is like a hot air balloon, filled with water vapor that it collected from the ocean. As the warm air rises, it leaves a low-pressure zone behind at the ocean's surface. This zone tries to suck in more air. Cooler air rushes in to fill this low-pressure vacuum. However, due to the Earth's rotation, this rushing air doesn't just fill the hole straight down. Instead, it starts to spin, creating a swirling vortex. This is why the winds look like a coiling snake.

Cyclone Nivar was a severe tropical cyclone that formed over the Bay of Bengal in November 2020. India Meteorological Department (IMD) classified it as a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm (VSCS).

The most affected areas by Cyclone Nivar included Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Andhra Pradesh.

The name Nivar was given by Iran.

About Tropical Cyclone Nivar

Tropical cyclone Nivar started due to disturbance in the inter-tropical convergence low pressure zone. This tropical depression formed over the Bay of Bengal and made landfall near Pondicherry. However, it did not immediately dissipate. It become a Deep Depression in Bay of Bengal and made a second landfall on the Andhra Pradesh coast. It caused extensive damage and a few people also died.

Disaster Relief Response in India to Cyclone Nivar

  • Tropical Cyclone Nivar caused a lot of flooding in areas of Chennai in Tamil Nadu in November 2020.
  • Five people were killed in Tamil Nadu, and eight in Andhra Pradesh.
  • The initial damage to agriculture and other sectors in Puducherry was estimated at ₹4 billion (US$54.2 million).
  • The government sent six National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams and told officials to evacuate people in risky areas.
  • The Tamil Nadu government alsostored food and fuel for people affected by the cyclone.

Characteristics of Tropical Cyclones:

Cyclones are classified into two main types: extra-tropical and tropical.

  • Tropical cyclones develop in the regions between the Tropics of Capricorn and Cancer. They are large-scale weather systems that form over tropical or subtropical waters.
  • The air of the cyclone circulates inward in an anticlockwise direction in the Northern hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern hemisphere.

Formation of Tropical Cyclone

  1. Cyclones are caused by atmospheric disturbances around a low-pressure area, which has strong and often destructive winds. Over warm ocean waters, low pressure system forms due to rising hot air.
  2. This air contains water content as it is rising from the Ocean. This leads to formation of thunderstorms. These thunderstorms, in the rig ht condition cluster and get strengthened with continuous supply of water from the ocean.
  3. When this developing storm reaches land (landfall), it ends because it no more has the ocean supply from the water.

Classifying Cyclones and Their Impact

Cyclones are classified by wind speed and damage capacity:

Types of Cyclones Based on Speed and Intensity
Name of Disturbance Speed of Storm
Low Pressure Less than 31 Km/h
Depression 31-49 Km/h
Deep Depression 49-61 Km/h
Cyclonic Storm 61-88 Km/hh
Severe Cyclonic Storm 88-117 Km/h
Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm 117-221 km/h
Super Cyclone More than 221 Km/h
Cyclone Category Based on Damage Potential
Cyclone Category Based on Damage Speeds
01:(Minimal Damage) 120-150 Km/h
02:(Moderate Damage) 150-180 Km/h
03:(Extensive Damage) 180-210 Km/h
04:(Extreme Damage) 210-250 Km/h
05:(Catastrophic Damage) 250 and above Km/h

Tropical Cyclones in India

  • High Frequency:The Indian subcontinent is one of the world's most vulnerable regions to tropical cyclones. With a long coastline of 7,516.6 km, it is exposed to nearly 10% of the world's tropical cyclones.
  • Seasonal: Tropical cyclones in India typically occur in the months of May-June and October-November. They are most intense and frequent in the North Indian Ocean (Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea) during November and May.
  • Eastern Bias: Most cyclones originate in the Bay of Bengal, hitting the East coast. On average, five to six cyclones form every year, with two or three being severe. Cyclones are more frequent in the Bay of Bengal than the Arabian Sea with an approximate ratio of 4:1.
  • High Damage: The disaster potential of tropical cyclones in India is particularly high during landfall (when a storm or cyclone reaches land after traveling over water) due to the accompanying destructive winds, storm surges, and torrential rainfall. Storm surges (a sudden and dangerous rise in sea level), in particular, cause extensive damage by inundating low-lying coastal areas, causing floods, eroding beaches and embankments, destroying vegetation, and reducing soil fertility.

World Meterological Organisation: Cyclone Warning System

  • Defining Tropical Cyclone: The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) uses the term "tropical cyclone" to describe weather systems with winds exceeding 34 knots which is called the gale force (63 kilometers per hour). Tropical cyclones are fueled by the heat from the sea and driven by easterly trades and temperate westerlies.
  • Regional Centres: WMO has six regional specialised meteorological centres (RSMCs) and five regional Tropical Cyclone Warning Centres (TCWCs) across the globe to monitor cyclone formation, issue advisories and name cyclones.
  • The Indian Meteorological Organisation (IMD): is the RSMC in the Northern Indian Ocean. It provides advisories to 13 countries in the north Indian Ocean basin: Bangladesh, India, Iran, Maldives, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.

Naming the Cyclone

WMO names cyclones through suggestions from countries in the region. In 2020, the latest list was released which includes 13 names for cyclones, each contributed by one of the 13 member countries, for a total of 169 names. Thenames from India include Gati, Tej, Murasu, Aag, Vyom, Jhar, Probaho, Neer, Prabhanjan, Ghurni, Ambud, Jaladhi, and Vega.

The name Nivar was given by Iran. Some of the most important criteria for naming cyclones are that the names should be politically and culturally neutral, not rude or cruel, and short and easy to pronounce. The maximum length of a cyclone name is eight letters.

Conclusion For Tropical Cyclone Nivar

Cyclone Nivar was a strong storm that caused a lot of damage. But it also reminded us that natural disasters demand both immediate response and long-term planning. The relief efforts after the cyclone showed that we need to be proactive. The quick response by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the evacuation plans showed how important it is to be coordinated and prepared. These actions not only save lives but also minimize the economic and social impact of such calamities.

Countries like Japan and Bangladesh are disaster prone but also set excellent examples for disaster prepardness through resillient infrastructure, localised disaster plans, volunteer forces, early warning of impending disaster.

It is important to understand the science behind tropical cyclones so we can develop effective strategies to deal with them. In the future, we need to learn from our experiences and invest in research, infrastructure, and community education. By combining scientific knowledge, international cooperation, and community involvement, we can work towards a future where the impact of these natural disasters is minimized, and the well-being of vulnerable communities is protected.

Mains PYQS Of Nivar Cyclone

Discuss the meaning of colour-coded weather warnings for cyclone prone areas given by India Meteorological Department.(10 Marks, 150 Words) (2022)
The recent cyclone on east coast of India was called ‘Phailin’. How are the tropical cyclones named across the world? Elaborate. (5 Marks, 100 Words) (2013)

Prelims PYQS Of Nivar Cyclone

1) Consider the following statements: (2020)

1. Jet streams occur in the Northern Hemisphere only.
2. Only some cyclones develop an eye.
3. The temperature inside the eye of a cyclone is nearly 10°C less than that of the surroundings.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 2 only
(d) 1 and 3 only

Correct Answer :(c) 2 only
2) In the South Atlantic and South-Eastern Pacific regions in tropical latitudes, cyclones do not originate. What is the reason? (2015)

(a) Sea surface temperatures are low
(b) Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone seldom occurs
(c) Coriolis force is too weak
(d) Absence of land in those regions

Correct Answer :(B) Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone seldom occurs

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