In the unpredictable world of weather patterns, Cyclone Hamoon created quite a stir as it demonstrated unusual behavior in the Bay of Bengal. This severe cyclone, which made landfall near midnight on October 24-25, 2023, south of Chattogram in Bangladesh, changed categories four times within 24 hours before making landfall. Couldn’t decide between a cyclonic storm, a severe cyclonic storm, or a very severe cyclonic storm, Hamoon finally settled for being a cyclonic storm.
Westerlies, the predominant winds blowing from west to east between 30 and 60 degrees latitude in both hemispheres, played a role in this acceleration, pushing Hamoon towards land earlier than predicted. The cooler sea temperatures in the northern Bay of Bengal also facilitated Hamoon’s rapid weakening as it moved away from the coast.
Unusual Recurving Path of Cyclone Hamoon
Contrary to expectations, Hamoon took an unusual path by recurving towards Bangladesh instead of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, or Odisha coast. One plausible reason was the weakening of cyclone Tej in the Arabian Sea, which may have contributed to Hamoon’s strengthening in the Bay of Bengal, showcasing how twin cyclonic systems can influence each other.
16th Urban Mobility India (UMI) Conference & Exhibition 2023
In the realm of sustainable transportation, noteworthy developments were discussed at the 16th Urban Mobility India (UMI) Conference & Exhibition 2023. Organized by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, with support from Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Ltd, the conference focused on the importance of the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) for commuters and explored innovative funding mechanisms for urban transport infrastructure.
The event also underscored the importance of transitioning to electric vehicles (EVs) for reducing emissions and invited investments in EV infrastructure. Awards were distributed in various categories including the Best Public Transport System, Most Innovative Financing Mechanism, and Best Green Transport Initiative.
Vigilance Awareness Week 2023
From 30th October to 5th November, 2023, the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) observed Vigilance Awareness Week under the theme “Say no to corruption; commit to the Nation.” Established to promote vigilance and combat corruption within the government departments, CVC plays a crucial role in promoting integrity, transparency, and accountability in India’s public administration.
New Mushroom Species: Candolleomyces Albosquamosus
Meanwhile, in the field of botany, researchers from the Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute (JNTBGRI) have discovered a new species of mushroom named Candolleomyces albosquamosus. Found on the JNTBGRI campus within Kerala’s Western Ghats, this charming mushroom flaunts a honey-yellow ‘cap’ with white woolly scale-like structures and thrives on dead logs and bamboo culms within the natural forest habitat.
