Context:
According to a recent study, typhoons are occurring frequently in Southeast Asia due to the rising global temperatures.
Typhoons:
- Specifically refer to tropical cyclones in the Western Pacific Ocean.
- Develops over warm ocean waters near the equator.
- Formation –
- Warm, moist air rises from the ocean surface, creating a low-pressure area.
- Cyclones involve rapid inward air circulation around this low-pressure area.
- Air circulates anticlockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere.
- Types of Cyclones by Location –
- Typhoon – China Sea and Pacific Ocean
- Hurricane – West Indian islands, Caribbean Sea, Atlantic Ocean
- Tornado – Guinea lands of West Africa, southern USA
- Willy-willies – North-western Australia
- Tropical Cyclone – Indian Ocean Region
Reasons for Frequent Typhoons in Southeast Asia:
- Geographical Location – Southeast Asia’s proximity to warm Pacific currents makes it a hotspot for typhoons.
- Rising Sea Surface Temperatures – Global warming leads to warmer waters, providing more energy for typhoons.
- Changes in Atmospheric Circulation Patterns – Alterations in the Walker Circulation affect typhoon frequency and trajectory.
- El Nino and La Nina Events – During El Nino, the warmer waters of the central and eastern Pacific shift westward, which can increase typhoon activity in Southeast Asia.
- La Nina also contribute to this by enhancing cyclone activity in the Western Pacific.
- Increased Moisture in the Atmosphere – Higher global temperatures cause more evaporation, fueling stronger typhoons.
- Marine Heat Waves – Climate change causes extreme warming events in the ocean.
- Urbanisation and Environmental Degradation – Rapid urbanization and destruction of coastal ecosystems exacerbate typhoon effects.
Source: Down To Earth
Previous Year Question
The 2004 Tsunami made people realise that mangroves can serve as a reliable safety hedge against coastal calamities. How do mangroves function as a safety hedge?
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2011 Prelims]
(a) The mangrove swamps separate the human settlements from the sea by a wide zone in which people neither live nor venture out.
(b) The mangroves provide both food and medicines which people are in need of after any natural disaster.
(c) The mangrove trees are tall with dense canopies and serve as an excellent shelter during a cyclone or Tsunami.
(d) The mangrove trees do not get uprooted by storms and tides because of their extensive roots
Answer: (d)
