Current Affairs: Vardha
You should do the background study for this, like what is cyclone, causes, formation, types, difference between cyclone and anti-cyclone, nomenclature,wind speeds, disaster management and warning(pre and post measures) comparision with previous events, different names of cyclone in different regions etc.
Using this strategy, UPSC Prelims we can cover upto 80% of the questions and results are guranteed.
Vardha - Cyclone name has been given by Pakistan. "Vardah" means "red rose".
The name of cyclones in the Indian Ocean Region are decided by member countries -- India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Thailand, Myanmar, Maldives and Oman. The last cyclone that hit Chennai earlier this month was called "Nada" - meaning "nothing" in Spanish and Portuguese and "Hope" in Russian -- a name suggested by Oman.
Cyclones are caused by atmospheric disturbances around a low-pressure area distinguished by swift and often destructive air circulation. They are usually accompanied by violent storms and bad weather. The air circulates inward in an anticlockwise direction in the northern hemisphere and clockwise in the southern hemisphere.Cyclones are classified as:
(i) extra tropical cyclones (also called temperate cyclones); and (ii) tropical cyclones.
The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO, 1976) uses the term ‘tropical cyclone’ to cover weather systems in which winds exceed ‘gale force’ (minimum of 34 knots or 63 Kph). 1 knot – 1.85 km per hour.
The cyclone warnings are issued to state government officials in four stages. The First Stage warning known as "PRE CYCLONE WATCH" issued 72 hours in advance contains early warning about the development of a cyclonic disturbance in the north Indian Ocean, its intensification into a tropical cyclone with adverse weather. This is issued by the Director General of Meteorology and is addressed to the Cabinet Secretary and other senior officers of the Government of India including the Chief Secretaries of concerned maritime states.
The Second Stage warning known as "CYCLONE ALERT" is issued at least 48 hrs. in advance of the expected commencement of adverse weather over the coastal areas. It contains information on the location and intensity of the storm likely direction of its movement, intensification, coastal districts likely to experience adverse weather and advice to fishermen, general public, media and disaster managers. This is issued by the concerned ACWCs/CWCs and CWD at HQ.
The Third Stage warning known as "CYCLONE WARNING" issued at least 24 hours in advance of the expected commencement of adverse weather over the coastal areas. Landfall point is forecast at this stage. These warnings are issued by ACWCs/CWCs/and CWD at HQ at 3 hourly interval giving the latest position of cyclone and its intensity, likely point and time of landfall, associated heavy rainfall, strong wind and storm surge alongwith their impact and advice to general public, media, fishermen and disaster managers.
The Fourth Stage of warning known as "POST LANDFALL OUTLOOK" is issued by the concerned ACWCs/CWCs/and CWD at HQ at least 12 hours in advance of expected time of landfall. It gives likely direction of movement of the cyclone after its landfall and adverse weather likely to be experienced in the interior areas.
Stage of warning | Colour code |
---|---|
Cyclone Alert | Yellow. |
Cyclone Warning | Orange. |
Post landfall out look | Red. |
Regions | What they are called |
Indian Ocean | Cyclones |
Atlantic | Hurricanes |
Western Pacific and South China Sea | Typhoons |
Western Australia | Willy-willies |
Violent Typhoon | ≥105 knots ≥194 km/h |
---|---|
Very Strong Typhoon | 85–104 knots 157–193 km/h |
Typhoon | 64–84 knots 118–156 km/h |
Severe Tropical Storm | 48–63 knots 89–117 km/h |
Tropical Storm | 34–47 knots 62–88 km/h |
Tropical Depression | ≤33 knots ≤61 km/h |