Central Idea

Cyclone Michaung (name suggested by Myanmar) makes landfall in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
Michaung is the fourth tropical cyclone over the Bay of Bengal this year.

About Cyclone Michaung

Uncommon Intensity: December cyclones in the North Indian Ocean typically do not reach high intensities. Michaung, with its severe storm classification, is an exception.
Upgraded Intensity: Initially predicted as a tropical cyclone, IMD upgraded Michaung to a ‘severe’ storm due to its unexpected intensification.
Heat Index Contribution: The intensification is attributed to the above-normal heat index values off the southern Andhra Pradesh coast.

Annual Cyclones: The North Indian Ocean basin averages about five cyclones per year, predominantly in the Bay of Bengal.
Arabian Sea Cyclones: Though less frequent, Arabian Sea cyclones often reach higher intensities and can cause extensive damage.
Peak Cyclone Seasons: Cyclones are most common during pre-monsoon (April-June) and post-monsoon (October-December) months, with May and November seeing more intense storms.

Ocean Heat: Cyclones draw energy from warm ocean temperatures, typically around 26 degrees Celsius or higher.
Tropical Cyclone Heat Potential (TCHP): This oceanographic parameter is crucial in cyclone genesis and intensification.
Complex Atmospheric Conditions: Various atmospheric factors like wind shear, convection, and air-sea interactions also play a role in cyclone development.
Coriolis Effect: This effect influences cyclone formation in the northern hemisphere, causing air to move anticlockwise in low-pressure areas.

General Definition: Cyclones are large-scale air systems rotating around a low-pressure center, often accompanied by violent storms.
Extratropical Cyclones: Found outside the tropics, these cyclones have a cold core and gain energy from interactions between cold and warm air masses. They can form over both land and sea.
Tropical Cyclones: These form in tropical regions and are powered by the condensation of water vapor. They lack associated warm or cold fronts and are known as hurricanes or typhoons in different regions.

Rotational Basis for Naming: The naming of cyclones is done by countries on a rotational basis, following certain existing guidelines.
Responsibilities of RSMCs and TCWCs: Worldwide, there are six regional specialized meteorological centers (RSMCs) and five regional Tropical Cyclone Warning Centers (TCWCs) mandated for issuing advisories and naming of tropical cyclones.
IMD’s Role: IMD is one of the six RSMCs providing tropical cyclone and storm surge advisories to 13 member countries under the WMO/Economic and Social Commission for Asia-Pacific (ESCAP) Panel.
Naming Authority of IMD: RSMC, New Delhi, is also mandated to name the tropical cyclones developing over the north Indian Ocean, including the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea.
Guidelines for Naming: Some rules are to be followed while naming cyclones, such as being neutral to politics, religious beliefs, cultures, and gender, avoiding offensive or cruel names, and keeping the name short and easy to pronounce.
Future Naming: After ‘Michaung’, the next cyclone as per India’s suggestion will be named ‘Tej’.