Cyclone Dana

Source: IE

Context: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted the formation of Cyclone “Dana,” expected to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by Wednesday, October 23, 2024. The cyclone is set to affect Odisha and West Bengal with wind speeds of up to 120 km/h.

Cyclones and their features:

• Definition: A cyclone is a large-scale air mass that rotates around a strong center of low atmospheric pressure.

• Formation: Cyclones develop over warm ocean waters (above 26.5°C) due to the rapid upward movement of warm air, which condenses to form clouds and releases energy, fueling the system.

• Wind Speed: Cyclonic storms are categorized based on wind speeds, with severe cyclonic storms typically reaching wind speeds between 89 and 117 kmph.

• Impact: Cyclones bring torrential rain, high-speed winds, and storm surges, leading to flooding, destruction of infrastructure, and displacement of communities.

About naming cyclones:

• Origin: The naming of cyclones in the Indian Ocean region was initiated by WMO/ESCAP in 2000, comprising countries like Bangladesh, India, and others, with 169 names released in 2020.

• Member countries: Bangladesh, India, the Maldives, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. In 2018, Iran, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Yemen were added.

• In 2018, Iran, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Yemen were added.

• Purpose: Naming cyclones simplifies communication, making it easier for the public, media, and authorities to track storms and prepare for them.

• Guidelines: Must be short, easy to pronounce, and neutral to politics, religion, and culture. No name can be repeated or offensive. Each country provides 13 names, which are used sequentially.

• Must be short, easy to pronounce, and neutral to politics, religion, and culture.

• No name can be repeated or offensive.

• Each country provides 13 names, which are used sequentially.

• Naming process: Each member country suggests 13 names, and the list rotates when a new cyclone forms. The names must be short, easy to pronounce, neutral (politically, culturally, and religiously), and not offensive.

• Recent cyclone and nations which gave name:

Cyclone name | Country

Remal | Oman

Asna | Pakistan

Dana | Qatar

Insta links:

• How-are-cyclones-formed-and-named

• IMD-releases-new-list-of-cyclone-names