Unpacking Cyclone Ditwah: Understanding its Unusual Path and Devastating Impact
Cyclone Ditwah, an unusual post-monsoon cyclone, caused significant damage in Sri Lanka due to its rapid intensification and unique trajectory.
Photo by Sheila C
त्वरित संशोधन
Cyclone Ditwah was an unusual post-monsoon cyclone.
It underwent rapid intensification over the Bay of Bengal.
Caused large-scale damage in Sri Lanka.
India Meteorological Department (IMD) tracked its movement.
दृश्य सामग्री
Cyclone Ditwah: Unusual Path and Impact on Sri Lanka
This map illustrates the unusual southwestward trajectory of Cyclone Ditwah from the Bay of Bengal towards Sri Lanka, highlighting the region of rapid intensification and the affected area. This deviation from typical post-monsoon cyclone paths underscores the impact of changing weather patterns.
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पृष्ठभूमि संदर्भ
वर्तमान प्रासंगिकता
मुख्य बातें
- •Tropical cyclones are intense low-pressure systems forming over warm tropical oceans.
- •Rapid intensification makes cyclones more dangerous and harder to predict.
- •The IMD plays a vital role in cyclone forecasting and warning for the Indian Ocean region.
- •Effective disaster management strategies are crucial for mitigating cyclone impacts.
परीक्षा के दृष्टिकोण
Geographical aspects of cyclone formation and movement in the Indian Ocean.
Meteorological phenomena like 'rapid intensification' and factors influencing it.
Role and mandate of institutions like IMD in disaster management.
Impact of climate change on extreme weather events and regional vulnerabilities.
National and international frameworks for disaster risk reduction and early warning systems.
विस्तृत सारांश देखें
सारांश
Cyclone Ditwah, an unusual post-monsoon cyclone, recently caused extensive damage in Sri Lanka. What made it so impactful? It rapidly intensified over the Bay of Bengal, a phenomenon known as 'rapid intensification,' which makes prediction and preparedness challenging. Its unique trajectory, moving southwestwards towards Sri Lanka, was also uncommon for a post-monsoon cyclone.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) played a crucial role in tracking its movement and issuing warnings. This event highlights the increasing frequency of extreme weather events and the critical need for robust disaster management and early warning systems in the region.
पृष्ठभूमि
नवीनतम घटनाक्रम
बहुविकल्पीय प्रश्न (MCQ)
1. Consider the following statements regarding tropical cyclones in the Indian Ocean region: 1. Rapid Intensification (RI) of cyclones is primarily driven by high sea surface temperatures and low vertical wind shear. 2. The Bay of Bengal typically experiences more frequent and intense cyclones compared to the Arabian Sea due to its warmer waters and funnel-shaped coastline. 3. Post-monsoon cyclones in the Bay of Bengal usually track northwestwards towards the Indian coast, making Ditwah's southwestward movement towards Sri Lanka uncommon. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 and 2 only
- B.2 and 3 only
- C.1 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
उत्तर देखें
सही उत्तर: D
Statement 1 is correct: Rapid intensification (RI) is a phenomenon where a tropical cyclone's maximum sustained winds increase significantly over a short period. It is favored by warm sea surface temperatures (above 26.5°C), high ocean heat content, low vertical wind shear (which prevents the storm from being torn apart), and high atmospheric moisture content. Statement 2 is correct: The Bay of Bengal is indeed more prone to frequent and intense cyclones. Factors include warmer waters, higher freshwater influx from rivers, and its semi-enclosed, funnel-shaped basin which often directs storms towards densely populated coastal areas. Statement 3 is correct: While there can be variations, post-monsoon cyclones in the Bay of Bengal often track towards the Indian mainland (Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu) or Bangladesh. Ditwah's southwestward trajectory towards Sri Lanka was indeed unusual for a post-monsoon cyclone in this region. Therefore, all three statements are correct.
2. In the context of disaster management and early warning systems in India, which of the following statements is NOT correct?
- A.The India Meteorological Department (IMD) is the nodal agency for issuing warnings for tropical cyclones and other severe weather phenomena.
- B.The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is a statutory body established under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, headed by the Prime Minister.
- C.Doppler Weather Radars (DWRs) are crucial for tracking cyclone intensity and movement, but their effectiveness is limited over oceanic regions far from the coast.
- D.The 'Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction' primarily focuses on post-disaster recovery and rehabilitation, with less emphasis on prevention and preparedness.
उत्तर देखें
सही उत्तर: D
Statement A is correct: IMD is indeed the primary agency responsible for meteorological observations, weather forecasting, and issuing warnings for severe weather events, including tropical cyclones, in India. Statement B is correct: The NDMA was established under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, and is chaired by the Prime Minister of India. It is the apex body for disaster management in the country. Statement C is correct: DWRs provide real-time information on rainfall, wind velocity, and storm intensity. However, their range is limited, typically to a few hundred kilometers, meaning their effectiveness diminishes significantly over vast oceanic areas where cyclones often form and intensify, making satellite imagery and ocean buoys more critical for initial tracking. Statement D is NOT correct: The 'Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030' places strong emphasis on understanding disaster risk, strengthening disaster risk governance, investing in disaster risk reduction for resilience, and enhancing disaster preparedness for effective response, and 'Build Back Better' in recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction. It is a comprehensive framework that prioritizes prevention and preparedness equally, if not more, than recovery. Therefore, statement D is the incorrect one.
3. Which of the following factors are considered to contribute to the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events like cyclones in the Indian Ocean region? 1. Warming of the Indian Ocean, leading to higher Sea Surface Temperatures (SSTs). 2. Changes in atmospheric circulation patterns, including weakening of monsoon winds. 3. Increased freshwater discharge into the Bay of Bengal from major rivers. 4. Reduction in vertical wind shear over tropical ocean basins. Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- A.1 and 2 only
- B.1, 3 and 4 only
- C.1, 2, 3 and 4
- D.2 and 4 only
उत्तर देखें
सही उत्तर: C
All four statements are considered factors contributing to the changing dynamics of cyclones and extreme weather events in the Indian Ocean: 1. Warming of the Indian Ocean: Higher SSTs provide more energy for cyclone formation and intensification, including rapid intensification, as seen with Ditwah. This is a direct consequence of global warming. 2. Changes in atmospheric circulation patterns: Climate change can alter large-scale atmospheric circulation, including monsoon winds, which can influence cyclone tracks, genesis, and intensity. 3. Increased freshwater discharge into the Bay of Bengal: Higher river runoff (often linked to changing monsoon patterns and glacial melt) can create a layer of less saline, warmer water on the surface, which can enhance cyclone intensification by reducing vertical mixing of cooler water from below. 4. Reduction in vertical wind shear: Lower vertical wind shear allows the cyclone's structure to remain intact and intensify more efficiently. Climate models suggest potential changes in wind shear patterns over tropical oceans, which could favor more intense storms. Therefore, all four factors contribute to the observed trends.