Cyclone Fengal Hits Tamil Nadu and Puducherry

02-12-2024

Cyclone Fengal, which made landfall along the Puducherry-Tamil Nadu coast on November 30, weakened into a deep depression on 1 November 2024.
However, it caused heavy rainfall and flooding in several areas in Puducherry and parts of Tamil Nadu.
The cyclone’s impact also disrupted transport, with flights delayed and trains canceled.
Puducherry received its heaviest rainfall in 30 years, causing severe flooding.
Power outages occurred due to submerged substations, but restoration efforts were underway.
The Indian Army, NDRF, and local teams rescued over 600 people from flooded areas.
Chennai avoided major flooding due to precautionary measures, though heavy rain affected other parts of Tamil Nadu. Relief efforts included the distribution of food packets to affected people.
In Tiruvannamalai, a mudslide trapped a family, and rescue operations were ongoing.
The cyclone's effects also reached parts of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, and Kerala. A red alert was issued for Kerala's northern districts, and educational institutions were closed.

What are cyclones and How are they formed?

Cyclones, also known as hurricanes or typhoons depending on their location, are intense, low-pressure systems that form over warm ocean waters. The process of cyclone formation involves several key stages and specific environmental conditions:

1. Warm Ocean Water

Temperature Requirement: Cyclones form over warm ocean waters (usually above 26.5°C or 80°F) because the heat and moisture from the ocean surface provide the energy needed for the system to grow.
Evaporation: The warm water causes large amounts of water to evaporate, adding moisture to the air. This warm, moist air rises into the atmosphere.

2. Low-Pressure Area

As the warm, moist air rises, it creates a low-pressure zone near the surface of the ocean.
Convergence: Air from surrounding areas with higher pressure begins to move in towards the low-pressure zone, further intensifying the system. As the air moves inward, it starts to rotate due to the Coriolis effect (the rotation of the Earth).

3. Rising Warm Air and Cloud Formation

Condensation: As the warm, moist air rises and cools, the water vapor condenses into clouds. The release of latent heat (energy stored in the water vapor) further fuels the rising air, strengthening the system.
Cyclonic Rotation: The system begins to rotate in the Northern Hemisphere (counterclockwise) or the Southern Hemisphere (clockwise) because of the Coriolis effect. This rotation forms a spiral structure.

4. Development of the Eye

Eye Formation: The rising air creates strong winds around the center, leading to the formation of an "eye" in the middle of the storm, which is a calm, clear area surrounded by the most intense winds and storms. This is where the pressure is lowest.
Eye Wall: Surrounding the eye is the "eye wall," where the most severe weather occurs, with strong winds, heavy rain, and thunderstorms.

5. Strengthening the Cyclone

Energy Transfer: As long as the cyclone remains over warm ocean waters, it continues to draw energy from the sea, causing it to strengthen. The system can grow larger and more powerful with higher wind speeds and larger areas of cloud formation.
Steering Winds: The cyclone is steered by the winds in the upper atmosphere. These winds can either guide the cyclone toward land or push it back out over the ocean.

6. Cyclone Maturity and Movement

Mature Cyclone: A fully developed tropical cyclone can have wind speeds of over 74 miles per hour (119 km/h) and may reach hurricane or typhoon status. At this stage, the cyclone is typically well-structured and can cause significant damage due to high winds and heavy rainfall.
Landfall or Dissipation: When the cyclone moves over land or cooler waters, it begins to lose its energy source (the warm water), weakening the storm.
If the system makes landfall, it can cause flooding, storm surges, and strong winds, while the lack of warm water may cause the cyclone to weaken and dissipate.

Who Names Cyclones?

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) are responsible for naming cyclones in the North Indian Ocean region.
Member Countries: The WMO/UNESCAP panel comprises 13 countries:
1. Bangladesh, India, Iran, Maldives, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Yemen.
Naming Process: Each member country contributes a list of 13 names, which are used sequentially for naming cyclones as they form in the region.
These names are assigned based on a rotation system.
Purpose of Naming: The naming system helps in easy identification, public awareness, and effective communication about the cyclone's progress and warnings.

Origin of the Name "Fengal"

The name "Fengal" was proposed by Saudi Arabia and has Arabic roots. It is a unique and culturally significant name, chosen to reflect linguistic traditions and regional diversity within the WMO/UNESCAP panel.
Criteria for Cyclone Names:
1. The names must be short, distinctive, and easy to pronounce.
2. Names should not be offensive in any language or culture, ensuring they are neutral and non-controversial across various regions.

Cyclone Naming Process and Rotation

The list of cyclone names was devised in 2020.
Each member country contributes 13 names, which are used in sequence without repetition. \
Once a name is used, it is retired and not reused.
Next Cyclone Names:
1. After Fengal, the next cyclone will be named Shakhti (proposed by Sri Lanka).
2. Other future names in the queue include Montha (suggested by Thailand).
This naming rotation ensures that the system remains efficient and orderly, avoiding confusion during a season with multiple storms.

Notable cyclones, their origins, meanings, and impacts:

Cyclone Name	Origin	Meaning	Impact
Fengal (Nov 2024)	Proposed by Saudi Arabia	Arabic word, reflecting linguistic traditions and cultural identities	Intensified over the southwest Bay of Bengal and became a significant storm in late November 2024.
Dana (Oct 2024)	Suggested by Qatar	‘Generosity’ in Arabic	Made landfall along the Odisha coast in October 2024, causing considerable damage in the region.
Remal (May 2024)	Suggested by Oman	‘Sand’ in Arabic	A severe storm that affected West Bengal and Bangladesh, making landfall between Sagar Island and Khepupara.
Mandous (Dec 2022)	Proposed by UAE	Meaning not widely publicized	Crossed the north Tamil Nadu coast near Mamallapuram, causing power disruptions, uprooted trees, and fatalities.
Sitrang (Oct 2022)	Suggested by Thailand	Pronounced "Si-Trang", name from Thailand	Made landfall in Bangladesh, bringing heavy rainfall to Northeast India.
Asani (May 2022)	Proposed by Sri Lanka	‘Wrath’ in Sinhala	Formed in the North Indian Ocean and impacted Andhra Pradesh, making landfall near Machilipatnam and Narsapur.
Ockhi (2017)	Named by Bangladesh	‘Eye’ in Bengali	Caused widespread destruction in India and Sri Lanka, especially in Kerala, Goa, Lakshadweep, and Tamil Nadu.
Mora (May 2017)	Suggested by Thailand	‘Star of the sea’ / Healing stone	Caused severe flooding in Northeast India, particularly in Tripura and Assam.

Cyclone Names in the Indian Region:

Indian Names: Gati (speed), Megh (cloud), Akash (sky).
Neighboring Country Names:
1. Bangladesh: Ogni, Helen, Fani.
2. Pakistan: Laila, Nargis, Bulbul.