11 Dec Cyclone Jawad GS-1, 3

Cyclone Jawad- Today Current Affairs

Why in news?

• Recently cyclone Jawad made landfall on the coastal region of the Odisha and West Bengal unleashing the heavy rainfall in the area.

The nomenclature of the cyclone: The Hindu Analysis

• The name Jawad was given by Saudi Arabia ,it means liberal or merciful.

What are tropical cyclones? Today Current Affairs

• Tropical cyclones are a natural weather phenomenon that originate over the ocean in the tropical areas. It is characterized by the  low pressure area with violent winds, very heavy rainfall and Storm surges.

• Tropical cyclones are known by various names like Hurricanes in the Atlantic ,Typhoons in the Western Pacific and South China Sea, Willy willies in the Western Australia.

The conditions favourable for the formation and the intensification of the Tropical storms;

• Large sea surface having temperature more than 27 degree Celsius.

• Presence of coriolis force

• Small variations in the vertical wind speed.

• Pre-existing weak low pressure area for low level cyclonic circulation.

• The Upper divergence above sea level system.

• The energy that intensifies the storm comes from the condensation process in the cumulonimbus cloud surrounding the centre of the storm.

Mechanism for the formation of tropical cyclone:

• When the warm and moist air over the ocean rises up from near the surface, a cyclone is formed. When air rises up and away from the ocean surface, it creates an area of lower air pressure below. It causes the air from surrounding areas with higher pressure to move towards the low-pressure area which further leads to warming up of the air and causes it to rise above.

• As the warm and moist air rises and cools the water in the air forms clouds. Along with the ocean’s heat and water evaporating from the ocean surface.The complete system of clouds and wind spins and grows.

• As the wind system rotates with increasing speed, an eye forms in the middle. The centre of a cyclone is very calm and clear with very low air pressure. The difference of temperature between the warm, rising and the cooler environment causes the air to rise and become buoyant.

Tropical cyclone and India: Today Current Affairs

• Geographical location of India makes it prone to tropical cyclones. This natural disaster has wreaked havoc in the country and continues to do.

Impact of tropical cyclone on Indian economy: The Hindu Analysis

• It has led to the loss of human life and human resources  and caused damage to the properties.

• Impacts fertility : excessive rain and strong winds erodes the coastline and leads to soil erosion and thus reducing fertility.

• Agriculture: The High tide may bring saline water and sand mass making the fields unsuitable for agriculture

• Storms and floods can result in loss of harvest or livestock, increased susceptibility of livestock to disease, contamination of water bodies, and promotes the destruction of agricultural infrastructure such as roads and fences.

• Small farmers are highly vulnerable to the impact of cyclones and experience significant crop losses, food insecurity and income loss.

• The cyclone induces poverty by destroying the infrastructure and livelihood. Because of which people are forced to migrate to a safer place.

Various measures have been taken by the state and the central governments to mitigate the impact of cyclones.

• In addition to setting up the Odisha Disaster Management Authority (ODMA). The Odisha government has constructed 809 multipurpose cyclones and flood shelters,

• Zero casualty by the Odisha Government is another welcome step to reduce the calamity.

• Creation of the National Disaster Relief Force by National Disaster Management Act 2005 has certainly improved our post response.

These measures needs to be supplemented by:

• Developing a Vigilant disaster management system which can help enhance and improve the early warning system.

• Centre state coordination is key for effective management of the pre and post disaster response.

Humans may not have control over the natural disaster but  certainly it can reduce the impact through sustainable response mechanisms.

Here we mention all information about Cyclone Jawad GS-1, 3. Today Current Affairs.

Swarn Singh

Plutus IAS Current Affair Team Member