Cyclones are significant meteorological events that provoke both fascination and fear due to their massive power and potential for destruction. Recently, a cyclone named Mandous is reported to impact the coasts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry from December 8, 2022, onwards. The following article explores the specifics of Cyclone Mandous, offers an overview of different types of cyclones, and elucidates on the intriguing process of cyclone nomenclature.
About Cyclone Mandous
Mandous, a cyclone characterized by its slow-moving nature, absorbs abundant moisture, carries substantial rainfall, and gains strength via wind speeds. The United Arab Emirates suggested its name. Forecasts from the India Meteorological Department indicate the weather system may move westward and intensify into a depression by December 6th evening. Following this, it may further strengthen into a cyclone over the southwest Bay of Bengal and proceed towards the Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts by the morning of December 8.
Understanding Cyclones
Cyclones are characterized by a swift inward air circulation around a low-pressure area. In the Northern hemisphere, the air circulates anticlockwise, whereas in the Southern hemisphere, it moves clockwise. Accompanied by violent storms and turbulent weather, the term ‘Cyclone’ is of Greek origin, denoting the coils of a snake, aptly representing the appearance of tropical storms at sea.
There exist two classifications of cyclones: Tropical cyclones and Extra Tropical cyclones, also known as Temperate cyclones, middle latitude cyclones, Frontal cyclones, or Wave Cyclones. The World Meteorological Organisation uses the term ‘Tropical Cyclone’ to denote weather systems where winds exceed ‘Gale Force’ (a minimum of 63 km per hour). These cyclones generally form within the Tropic of Capricorn and Cancer and are large-scale weather systems that develop over tropical waters.
Extra Tropical cyclones occur in temperate zones and high latitude regions, often originating in Polar Regions.
Naming of Cyclones
The naming of cyclones is a systematic process carried out by regional specialised meteorological centres (RSMCs) and Tropical Cyclone Warning Centres (TCWCs) across the globe. Each ocean basin has its set of cyclones named by six RSMCs, including the India Meteorological Department (IMD), and five TCWCs.
In 2000, a group of nations under WMO/ESCAP (World Meteorological Organisation/United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific) decided to commence naming cyclones in the region. After receiving name suggestions from each country involved, the WMO/ESCAP Panel on Tropical Cyclones finalized the list. This consortium expanded to include Iran, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen in 2018.
UPSC Civil Services Examination Questions
Upon analysis of previous years’ civil service examination questions, it is seen that many queries revolve around cyclonic activities. For instance, a question from 2015 asked why cyclones do not originate in the South Atlantic and Southeastern Pacific regions in tropical latitudes. The correct answer indicated that the rare occurrence of the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) over these regions is responsible for the lack of cyclones.
Additionally, exams have questioned the naming convention for tropical cyclones worldwide and the meaning of colour-coded weather warnings in cyclone-prone areas given by the India Meteorological Department.