Get to Know an Unusual Storm : 'Cyclone Ockhi'

What is Cyclone Ockhi?

Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Ockhi is an active tropical cyclone currently threatening and impacting India, and is the most intense to exist in the Arabian Sea since Cyclone Megh in 2015. The strongest storm of the 2017 North Indian Ocean cyclone season, Ockhi originated from an area of disturbed weather near Sri Lanka on November 29. Proximity to land initially prevented significant strengthening, however as it entered the Arabian Sea, favorable conditions allowed it to quickly strengthen on December 1.

So far, at least 30 people have been killed by Ockhi.

(Source: Wiki)

The difference between Tsunami and Cyclone

Cyclone is the large wind flows with heavy rain in a low pressure atmosphere develops over the sea which leads to heavy rain and wind flowing, where as Tsunami is the Large waves developed under the sea bed due to an earthquake, sliding of plates or volcanic eruption, which leads to formation of high altitude waves with different frequencies and duration. 

Cyclone never develops a Tsunami

'Ockhi' cyclone influence has decreased rapidly in Kerala. It moved more west-northwest direction. Isolated light to moderate rain possible in Kerala.Sky will be clear most of the time. Lakshadweep will continue to have moderate wind and rain for one more day. Weakening of cyclone will start from today and move towards north west direction for first 12 hrs then turn to the north-east direction and reach Maharashtra-Gujarat coast 6th December as depression. 

How powerful was Ockhi?

Ockhi was described as a ‘very severe cyclonic storm’, the third strongest category according to the definitions used by the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Cyclones are categorized by the maximum wind speed they generate. On Saturday, at its most powerful, Ockhi had wind speeds between 155 and 165 km per hour, touching the upper border for ‘very severe cyclonic storm’.

Cyclones with wind speeds between 165 and 220 km per hour are classified as ‘extremely severe cyclonic storm’. Those with even higher wind speeds are called ‘super-cyclones’. The most famous instance of a ‘super-cyclone’ was the one that hit the coast of Odisha in October 1999. It was the strongest-ever cyclone recorded in that area, with wind speeds touching 260 km per hour. It was also the most devastating cyclone to have hit India.

 The Joint Typhoon Warning  Centre, US, issued the 6th  warning for Ockhi cyclone.  Now the Ockhi cyclone is located 8.9 N 73.8 E near  Lakshadweep. It is now maintaining its initial wind speed and in the “Severe  Cyclone “status. Within 48  hours, its intensity increases further with a wind speed of  110 Km/Hr. then it reduces to 85 Km/ Hr in the next 24  hours. It then turns to  "Depression" on the 5th day with a wind speed of 45 Km / Hr.

The current track of the cyclone is North – West and turn to North – East on 3rd Dec. Then it slows down its movement towards Gujarat and weakens further.

May 26, 2018