| GS Paper I: Important geophysical phenomena such as cyclones etc. |
Why Typhoon Yagi in the news?
Recently, Typhoon Yagi formed in the South China Sea.
It has become the second most powerful tropical cyclone globally this year, following Typhoon Beryl.
Yagi originated from a low-pressure system near Palau
It was named by the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA).
Countries such as the Philippines, China, Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand have been severely impacted, with Vietnam experiencing the worst effects, including approximately 233 deaths.
Torrential rains, flooding, and landslides have further compounded the difficulties faced by millions in the affected regions..
What’s in today’s article?
- Tropical Cyclones
- Reasons Typhoon Yagi Became the Strongest Storm in Asia
- Operation Sadbhav by India
Tropical Cyclones
- About
- Cyclones that develop in the regions between the Tropics of Capricorn and Cancer are called tropical cyclones.
- The World Meteorological Organisation uses the term ‘Tropical Cyclone’ to cover weather systems in which winds exceed ‘Gale Force’ (minimum of 34 knots or 63 kph).
- Tropical cyclones are born from interactions between the ocean and atmosphere, fueled by the heat from the sea. They are driven by easterly trade winds, temperate westerlies, strong planetary winds, and their own intense energy.
- Formation of cyclones
- A tropical cyclone is a weather phenomenon that develops exclusively over warm ocean waters close to the equator.
Characteristics of a Tropical Cyclone:
- The center of a tropical cyclone is calm and clear, characterized by very low air pressure, with an average wind speed of 120 kmph.
- Closed isobars, which connect areas of equal atmospheric pressure, contribute to the high wind velocity.
- Tropical cyclones form specifically over oceans and seas.
- They typically move from east to west, guided by trade winds.
- These storms are seasonal in occurrence.
- Classification of cyclones
Cyclones are classified based on wind speed by the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD):
- Depression: Wind speeds of between 31–49 km/h
- Deep Depression: Between 50-61 km/h
- Cyclonic Storm: Between 62–88 km/h
- Severe Cyclonic Storm: Between 89-117 Km/h
- Very Severe Cyclonic Storm: Between 118-166 Km/h
- Extremely Severe Storm: Between 167-221 Km/h
- Super Cyclonic Storm: Above 222 Km/h
Tropical Cyclone Categories:
- A tropical cyclone’s category is determined by its sustained wind speed, based on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.
- It is divided into five categories, ranging from Category 1 to Category 5.
- Category 1 cyclones have wind speeds between 119 and 153 kmph, while Category 5 cyclones, the most powerful, have winds of 252 kmph or higher.
- Cyclones classified as Category 3 or higher are considered major due to their potential to cause severe damage.
Tropical Cyclones are Known by Different Names in Various Regions:
- Hurricanes – In the West Indian islands of the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.
- Tornadoes – In the Guinea lands of West Africa and the southern USA.
- Typhoons – In the Northwest Pacific Ocean, particularly impacting East and Southeast Asia, such as Japan, the Philippines, China, and Taiwan.
- Cyclones – In the Southwest Indian Ocean (off the coast of Africa and Madagascar), the Southeast Indian Ocean, and the Southwest Pacific Ocean.
- Willy-Willies – For tropical cyclones in Australia.
Reasons Typhoon Yagi Became the Strongest Storm in Asia:
- Warm Waters of the South China Sea:
- Typhoon Yagi initially formed as a tropical storm in the western Philippine Sea, weakened after making landfall in the Philippines, but then regained strength due to unusually warm waters in the South China Sea.
- This warm water fueled the storm’s intensification, eventually turning it into a Category 5 typhoon with peak sustained winds of 260 kmph.
- Typhoon Yagi is one of only four Category 5 storms recorded in the South China Sea, alongside Pamela in 1954, Rammasun in 2014, and Rai in 2021.
- Although later downgraded to a tropical depression, Yagi still caused heavy rainfall last week in countries like Myanmar, triggering severe floods around the remote capital, Naypyidaw.
Role of Climate Change:
- Scientists continue to debate the exact impact of climate change on tropical cyclones, as storm formation and development are influenced by many factors.
- However, there is consensus that rising global temperatures are intensifying tropical cyclones.
- A recent study indicates that in Southeast Asia, cyclones are now forming closer to coastlines, intensifying more quickly, and lingering longer over land.
- This is likely driven by warmer sea surface temperatures, which have risen by nearly 0.9°C since 1850.
- Warmer oceans provide more water vapor and heat, resulting in stronger winds, heavier rainfall, and increased flooding when storms hit land.
Operation Sadbhav by India:
- India initiated Operation Sadbhav to deliver humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) to Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam, which were severely impacted by flooding from Typhoon Yagi.
- India has pledged $1 million in flood relief aid to Vietnam and $100,000 in assistance to Laos.
- India has been one of the first to respond with HADR support to the affected region.
- This operation is part of India’s broader effort to enhance HADR contributions within the ASEAN region, reflecting its enduring Act East Policy.
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