Context:
India Meteorological Department (IMD) recently reported that Cyclone Fengal made landfall over Puducherry.
Landfall:
- Event of a tropical cyclone coming onto land after being over water.
- As per IMD, landfall occurs when the centre (eye) of the storm moves over the coast.
- Difference from Direct Hit –
- Landfall should not be confused with a ‘direct hit’ as ‘direct hit’ refers to the core of high winds (eyewall) coming ashore while the storm’s centre may remain offshore.
- Strongest winds can be experienced over land even without landfall because the strongest winds in a tropical cyclone are not located precisely at the centre.
- Damage Caused by Landfall –
- Severity of damage depends on the cyclone’s intensity (wind speed).
- Very severe cyclones can cause:
- Extensive damage to kutcha houses.
- Partial disruption of power and communication lines.
- Minor disruption of rail and road traffic.
- Potential threat from flying debris.
- Flooding of escape routes.
- Factors contributing to damage include strong winds, heavy rainfall, and storm surges causing coastal floods.
- Duration of Landfall –
- Landfalls can last for a few hours.
- Duration depends on wind speed and storm size.
- Cyclones lose intensity over land due to reduced moisture supply and increased surface friction.
- While landfalls are often the most devastating moments of cyclones, it also marks the beginning of the cyclone’s weakening.
Read more about Tropical Cyclones, Typhoon, Bomb Cyclone
Source: The Indian Express
Previous Year Question
In the South Atlantic and South-Eastern Pacific regions in tropical latitudes, cyclones do not originate. What is the reason?
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2015 Prelims]
(a) Sea surface temperatures are low
(b) Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone seldom occurs
(c) Coriolis force is too weak
(d) Absence of land in those regions
Answer: (b)
