CHAPTER-5

DISASTERS
 TOPIC

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 Contents :-
• What are Disasters
• What are Cyclones
• Causes of Cyclones
• Effects of Cyclones and its aftermath
• Some precautions of Cyclones
• Case Study(recent cyclone – Cyclone Asani)
 What are disasters ?
A disaster is defined as a disruption on a massive scale, either
natural or man-made, occurring in short or long periods.
Disasters can lead to human, material, economic or
environmental hardships, which can be beyond the bearable
capacity of the affected society.
There are two main types of Disasters –
1. Natural Disasters
2. Man-Made Disasters
 What are Cyclones ?
1. In meteorology, a cyclone is a large air mass that rotates around a strong
centre of low atmospheric pressure, counter-clockwise in the Northern
Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere as viewed from
above. Cyclones are characterized by inward-spiralling winds that rotate
about a zone of low pressure.
2. Its diameter is typically around 200 to 500 kilometres, but can reach
1000 kilometres. The winds blow counter-clockwise in the Northern
Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere.
3. Cyclones have gale force winds with wind gusts in excess of 90
km/h around their centre. In the most severe cyclones, gusts can exceed
280 kmph.
4. Different stages of a Cyclone
Stage 1 - Incipient Disturbances.
Stage 2 – Tropical storm.
Stage 3 – tropical cyclone.
Stage 4 - Severe Tropical Cyclone (super-typhoon, major hurricane)
Stage 5 - The End of the Tropical Cyclone Lifecycle: Decay or
Extratropical Transition (ET)
 Causes of Cyclones
1. Warm, moist air over the ocean rises due to less density. This
air rises up and away from the ocean surface, leaving less air
near the surface, creating a low-pressure zone.
2. Due to the surrounding high-pressure areas, air flows into this
low-pressure area and eventually warms up, forming a cycle.
3. Now, this cycle makes the warm air above the ocean rise and
cool the water below to generate clouds. With the constant
heating and evaporating process, the entire cloud and wind
system spins and grows.
4. With more speed, cyclone eye formation takes place in the
centre.
5. This zone signifies the lowest air pressure and is calm and
clear. The high-pressure air from above flows down into this
region.
6. The most significant effects of a tropical cyclone occur when
they cross coastlines, making landfall then it destroys ships and
lives.
Strong winds.
Storm surge.
Heavy rainfall.
 Effects of Cyclones
These are the following effects of cyclones:

1) During a cyclone, sea or ocean water enters the low-lying coastal

areas with a huge force, causing severe loss of life and property.
2) It also reduces the fertility of the soil. Cyclones may also cause soil
erosion and the heavy rain accompanying it would further worsen
the flood situation.
3) High-speed winds accompanying a cyclone can damage houses,
telephone lines and other communication systems, forests, malls
and many other buildings, causing tremendous loss of life and
property.
4) These winds can cause damage over an area of 25 kilometres to
500 kilometres depending on its speed and force.
 Precautions of Cyclones
Before the cyclone:
1. Ensure good condition of your house so that it can withstand strong winds.
CYCLONE
2. Trim down trees to make sure they do not fall over telephone or electricity lines
during the storm.
3. Keep your mobile phone fully charged and other appliances like torches handy as
there may be power cuts during a cyclone.

During a cyclone:
1. Be aware of the official cyclone warning by listening to the radio or other
authentic sources.
2. Install storm shutters or board up glass windows.
3. Keep all the doors and windows closed.

After a cyclone:
1. Boil water before drinking or cooking.
2. Keep your surroundings clean by using disinfectants.
3. Clear debris from your premises.
 Case Study
Cyclone Asani

Cyclone Asani was a strong tropical cyclone that made landfall in India in
May 2022. The third depression and deep depression, and the first named
storm of the 2022 North Indian Ocean cyclone season, Asani originated from
a depression that the Indian Meteorological Department first monitored on
May 7.
On May 8, it emerged from the Bay of Bengal. As per the India Meteorogical
Department, The cyclonic storm was recurving away from the east coast
states of India i.e. Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and West Bengal. It is a "severe"
tropical cyclone which is a weather phenomenon which is characterised by a
rapidly rotating storm system, a low-pressure centre, strong winds and
thunderstorms that produce heavy rain.
 Causes

The low-pressure area over the South Andaman Sea has intensified into a
cyclone and was expected to trigger wind over 75 km/hour, which got
stronger. The cyclone had been named Asani–a name given by Sri Lanka,
that means ‘wrath’ in Sinhalese.
At first, it moved north-west-wards, strengthening into a depression on
the afternoon of May 7 and then a deep depression by the evening of the
same day. During the early hours of May 8, continuing to move in the
same direction, it intensified into a cyclonic storm and a severe cyclonic
storm in the same evening.
The rapid intensification helped Asani reach its peak intensity of 55 knots
(100-110 kmph gusting to 120 kmph) early the following day (May 9). It
maintained its peak intensity till 10th noon.
 Effects

Around the storm's centre, the maximum sustained wind speed was
estimated to be around 30 knots (50-60 kmph) along and off the coast
of Andhra Pradesh. On May 11, the high wind speed recorder at IMD,
Machilipatnam, recorded a peak wind speed of 30 knots (55 kmph).
As far as rains are concerned, several Andhra, Yanam, Rayalaseema
and Odisha districts received more than or equal to 7 cm of rainfall on
May 11 and 12.
But the impact of the cyclone was far and wide in terms of rain and
temperature. The cyclone-induced clouds hovered over the entire
southern peninsula and blocked harsh summer sunshine. Its cooling
effects were so strong that the faraway Bengaluru’s daytime mercury
levels down to 24.3°C
 -Akshath-
-Pranay-
-Aditri-
-Nishant-
-Rupadarshini-