IMD Issues Cyclone Warning for Gujarat and Depression Alert for Bay of Bengal

IMD Issues Cyclone Warning for Gujarat and Depression Alert for Bay of Bengal

Sub : Geo

Sec: Climatology

Why This is in the News

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued warnings about significant weather events affecting India. A land-based depression in Gujarat is anticipated to evolve into a cyclone, a rare occurrence for August, while another depression is forming in the Bay of Bengal.

Key Points

Cyclone Formation in Gujarat: A depression over Saurashtra in Gujarat is expected to become a cyclone.

Historical Context: This is the first time since 1964 that a land-based depression in August may develop into a cyclone over the Arabian Sea.

Movement: The depression is moving westward and is expected to intensify into a cyclone by Friday.

Impact: The storm is anticipated to move away from the Indian coast within two days, but has already caused extremely heavy rainfall in Gujarat.

Depression in the Bay of Bengal

Current Status: A new depression has formed in the northern Bay of Bengal.

Forecast: It is predicted to move towards north Andhra Pradesh and the southern Odisha coast.

Intensity: The IMD expects this depression to intensify within the next 48 hours.

Tracking: The trajectory and potential impact of this depression are still being assessed.

Cyclone Trends and Timing

Unusual Timing: Cyclones are rarely observed during the monsoon season in August. They typically occur in May or during the pre- and post-monsoon periods in October and November.

Significance: The formation of cyclones during the monsoon season highlights unusual weather

Land-Based Depression: A land-based depression refers to a low-pressure system that forms over land, typically due to differential heating of the Earth’s surface. This type of depression occurs when the air pressure is significantly lower than the surrounding areas, causing air to converge and rise.

Formation: Occurs over land areas, often influenced by geographic and climatic conditions.

Weather Patterns: Can lead to localized weather phenomena such as thunderstorms, heavy rainfall, and occasionally cyclone formation if it moves over warm waters.

Seasonality: Less common compared to oceanic depressions but can occur during various times of the year, depending on the region and climate.

Example: The current land-based depression over Saurashtra in Gujarat is an example. It is forming over land and is expected to move towards the Arabian Sea, where it could intensify into a cyclone.

Normal Depression (Oceanic Depression): A normal depression, or simply a depression, generally refers to a low-pressure system that forms over water bodies, particularly oceans. It is characterized by a central area of low pressure surrounded by higher pressure regions.

Formation: Typically forms over warm ocean waters where evaporation creates moist air that rises and causes a drop in atmospheric pressure. This can lead to the development of cyclones or hurricanes if conditions are favourable.

Weather Patterns: Associated with widespread weather impacts including rain, strong winds, and potential cyclonic activity if it intensifies.

Seasonality: More common in tropical and subtropical regions and during specific seasons (e.g., hurricane season in the Atlantic).

Example: The depression currently forming in the northern Bay of Bengal is an oceanic depression. It is expected to influence weather patterns as it moves towards land, potentially impacting the north Andhra Pradesh and southern Odisha coast.

Cyclones: Cyclones are large-scale air mass systems characterized by low pressure at the center and high pressure at the outer edges, leading to strong winds and heavy rains.

Formation: Cyclones form over warm ocean waters where moist air rises, creating low pressure and leading to the development of storm systems.

Classification: Cyclones are classified into different categories based on their intensity, including tropical depressions, tropical storms, cyclones, and hurricanes.

Seasonality: Cyclones are most common in tropical and subtropical regions and typically form during specific seasons, such as the North Atlantic hurricane season (June to November) and the North Indian cyclone season (April to December).

Major Indian Cyclones in 2023 and 2024

Cyclone Biparjoy (2023): Formed in the Arabian Sea, it impacted Gujarat and the coastal regions of Pakistan in June 2023, causing heavy rains and strong winds.

Cyclone Mocha (2023): A significant cyclone that affected parts of the Bay of Bengal and impacted Myanmar and Bangladesh in May 2023.

Cyclone Gulab (2023): Impacted the eastern coast of India in September 2023, affecting Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.

Cyclone Kewal (2024): Formed in the Bay of Bengal in August 2024, impacting the coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha with heavy rains and strong winds.

Cyclone Arjun (2024): A significant cyclone in the Arabian Sea in May 2024, affecting the western coast of India, including Gujarat and Maharashtra.