Understanding An Unusual Cyclone
Down To Earth|February 01, 2018

Cyclone Ockhi intensified from a deep depression to a cyclonic storm in less than six hours, baffling scientists about its fast evolution.

S​​​hreeshan Venkatesh
Understanding An Unusual Cyclone

ON JANUARY 18, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that search and rescue operations for fisherfolk in the aftermath of Cyclone Ockhi that struck southern India had been called off. “Since there was no result for seven to eight days, the search operation was called off on December 27,” she told reporters. Between November 30 and December 4 last year, powerful winds and heavy rains brought on by the cyclone had left 93 people dead and damaged over 10,000 homes. The defence minister’s statement came around 50 days after the powerful cyclone left a trail of destruction across south India. At the time of the withdrawal of operations, over 660 fisherfolk from Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Lakshadweep were reported missing.

The magnitude of destruction places Ockhi among the worst cyclones to have struck the Indian coastline in the last 50 years. Immediately after the cyclone, questions were raised about the delay in forecasts issued by the government and the lack of preparedness to deal with the cyclone. The first intimation about the possible formation of a depression from the India Meteorological Department (imd) came on November 28 in the Tropical Weather Outlook issued at noon that day. By November 30, rather than a depression, a cyclonic storm was ravaging the southern tips of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Ironically, in recent years, imd has been successful in warning about the possible development of depressions into impending cyclones five to six days in advance, which helped in limiting damage and casualties. Certainly, this was the case with cyclones Phailin in 2013, Hudhud in 2014 or Vardah in 2016. So why was Ockhi different?

Unusual path

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM DOWN TO EARTHView all
A SPRIG TO CARE FOR
Down To Earth

A SPRIG TO CARE FOR

Punarnava, a perennial herb, is easy to grow and has huge health benefits

time-read
3 mins  |
November 01, 2024
DIGGING A DISASTER
Down To Earth

DIGGING A DISASTER

Soapstone mining near Dabti Vijaypur village has caused many residents to migrate.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 01, 2024
REVIEW THE TREATMENT
Down To Earth

REVIEW THE TREATMENT

Several faecal sludge treatment plants in Uttar Pradesh suffer from design flaws that make the treatment process both expensive and inefficient

time-read
3 mins  |
November 01, 2024
MAKE STEEL SUSTAINABLE
Down To Earth

MAKE STEEL SUSTAINABLE

As India works to double its GDP by 2030, its steel industry must balance growth with sustainability. By embracing policies like the Steel Scrap Recycling Policy 2019 and adopting green technologies, India is paving the way for a more sustainable future in steel production

time-read
4 mins  |
November 01, 2024
Can ANRF pull off the impossible for India?
Down To Earth

Can ANRF pull off the impossible for India?

Anusandhan National Research Foundation is expected to reorient India's innovation goals but funding issues, old mindsets remain a drag

time-read
4 mins  |
November 01, 2024
TROUBLED WOODS
Down To Earth

TROUBLED WOODS

Forests are a great bulwark against climate change. But this is fast changing. AKSHIT SANGOMLA travels through some of the pristine patches of the Western Ghats to explore how natural disturbances triggered by global warming now threaten the forest health

time-read
10+ mins  |
November 01, 2024
BLINDING GLOW
Down To Earth

BLINDING GLOW

The science is clear: increased illumination has damaging consequences for the health of humans, animals and plants. It’s time governments introduced policies to protect the natural darkness and improved the quality of outdoor lighting.

time-read
10+ mins  |
November 01, 2024
GROUND REALITY
Down To Earth

GROUND REALITY

What happens when the soil loses the ability to grow healthy, high-yield crops on its own?

time-read
6 mins  |
November 01, 2024
GM POLICY MUST BE FARMER CENTRIC
Down To Earth

GM POLICY MUST BE FARMER CENTRIC

On July 23, the Supreme Court of India directed the Union government to develop a national policy on genetically modified (GM) crops for research, cultivation, trade and commerce through public consultation.

time-read
6 mins  |
November 01, 2024
Vinchurni's Gandhi
Down To Earth

Vinchurni's Gandhi

A 96-year-old farmer transforms barren land into a thriving forest in drought-prone region of Satara

time-read
2 mins  |
November 01, 2024