Introduction:
- Hurricanes, also known as tropical cyclones, originate over warm ocean waters near the equator.
- These storms form when warm, moist air rises from the ocean surface, creating an area of low pressure beneath it. Air from surrounding high-pressure areas rushes in, warms up, and rises, leading to cloud formation and thunderstorms.
- This cycle of rising warm air, cloud formation, and wind intensification continues, drawing energy from the ocean’s heat. When the wind speeds exceed 119 kmph, the storm is classified as a hurricane.
Body:
Classification of Hurricanes:
Hurricanes are categorized based on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, which divides them into five categories (Category 1 to Category 5) depending on sustained wind speeds:
- Category 1: 119-153 km/h – Winds cause some damage.
- Category 2: 154-177 km/h – Winds cause extensive damage.
- Category 3: 178-208 km/h – Winds cause devastating damage.
- Category 4: 209-251 km/h – Winds cause catastrophic damage.
- Category 5: 252 km/h or higher – Winds cause catastrophic damage.
Hurricanes reaching Category 3 and above are deemed major hurricanes due to their severe destructive potential.
Example in Indian Context: The 1999 Odisha cyclone (Category 5) is one of the most intense cyclones to hit India, with wind speeds exceeding 250 kmph, causing massive devastation and loss of life.
Conclusion:
Hurricanes can rapidly intensify, as seen with Beryl, which evolved from a tropical depression to a Category 4 hurricane within 48 hours, and later strengthened to a Category 5 storm.
Similarly, India’s coastal regions, especially the eastern coast, are vulnerable to powerful cyclones like the 2013 Cyclone Phailin, which also reached Category 5 intensity and caused significant damage, underscoring the need for effective disaster preparedness and response mechanisms.