Cyclone Gulab

Cyclone Gulab is a deep depression formed in the Bay of Bengal that intensified into a cyclonic storm.  The system hit the landmass between Kalingapatanam in Andhra Pradesh and Gopalpur in Odisha.

India Meteorological Department said cyclone Gulab began its landfall process on 26-09-2021. Heavy rains lashed parts of Andhra Pradesh. Telangana is on high alert as the cyclone passes.

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About Cyclone Gulab

  • A new depression has formed over the east-central Bay of Bengal which intensified into cyclone Gulab.
  • The cyclone affected the coasts of south Odisha north Andhra Pradesh. It made landfall triggering heavy rains along with strong winds over north coastal Andhra Pradesh and adjoining south coastal Odisha. 
  • It comes under the category of the cyclonic storm according to IMD.
  • Being a monsoon system, it naturally holds excess moisture compared to storms of pre-monsoon and post-monsoon periods. 
  • A couple of unique meteorological factors are also helping the system intensify and retain moisture.
  • Because of weak to moderate negative Indian Ocean Dipole (-IOD), the equatorial Rossby waves (natural planetary waves) could have transferred a substantial amount of energy (moisture) to this system.

Some facts about Cyclone Gulab

What kind of a cyclone is Gulab? It is a tropical cyclone
What is the meaning of the name ‘Gulab’? The word ‘Gulab’ (pronounced as Gul-Aab) means Rose.
Which country has given the name ‘Gulab’? Pakistan proposed the name Gulab.
How are cyclones named?
  • Countries surrounding a particular basin name the storms originating in that basin, usually years before they even form. Therefore, all the 13 countries sharing the Indian Ocean basin have already provided a list of 169 names, with each country proposing 13 names.
  • The names are chosen one after the other from this list, approved by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO).

Some Related Links

Tropical cyclones Extratropical cyclones
National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP) IAS Environment Questions
cyclones National Disaster Response Force

Recent Cyclones in the Indian ocean

Name Location Region affected
Cyclone Gulab Bay of Bengal North Andhra Pradesh and adjoining Odisha coasts
Cyclone Tauktae Arabian Sea Southern Gujarat
Cyclone Yaas Bay of Bengal West Bengal and adjoining Odisha coasts
Cyclone Nisarga Arabian Sea Alibag in Mumbai, Maharashtra
Cyclone Amphan Bay of Bengal Odisha and West Bengal
Cyclone Kyarr Arabian Sea Moved towards the Gulf of Aden from the Indian coast
Cyclone Maha Arabian Sea Gujarat
Cyclone Vayu Arabian Sea Gujarat
Cyclon Hikka Arabian Sea Oman
Cyclone Fani Bay of Bengal Odisha, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh and East India

Classification of cyclones

Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), classified the low-pressure systems in the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea on the basis of maximum sustained wind speed.

Type of disturbance Wind speed
Low-pressure area Less than 31 km per hour
Depression 31-49 km per hour
Deep depression 50-61 km per hour
Cyclonic storm 62-88 km per hour
Severe cyclonic storm 89-117 km per hour
Severe cyclonic storm 118-167 km per hour
Very severe cyclonic storm 168-221 km per hour
Super cyclonic storm 222 km per hour and higher

Based on the above classification, Cyclone Gulab comes under the category of Cyclonic storm

Read about Cyclone Disaster Management in the linked article.

Role of IMD 

  • Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) is the Indian agency to monitor the development of tropical cyclones in its area of responsibility.
  • It provides advisory information to ICAO, DGCA, Meteorological Watch offices in the country and neighbouring countries as well.
  • It gives warnings regarding rainfall, wind speeds, sea conditions, fisherman alerts, and impacts of cyclones.
  • It has issued a ‘Red’ alert indicating heavy to very heavy rainfall (64.5mm to 204.4mm in 24 hours) over coastal Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana and Vidarbha in Maharashtra.
  • Warnings of IMD
    • Light to moderate rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy & extremely heavy falls at isolated places very likely over south Chhattisgarh; heavy to very heavy falls at isolated places over Odisha, Telangana & Vidarbha and heavy rainfall at isolated places over coastal West Bengal & North Chattisgarh.
    • Sea condition will be ‘high’ over Northwest and adjoining Westcentral Bay of Bengal and along and off Odisha, West Bengal and North Andhra Pradesh
    • A tidal wave of about 0.5 m height above the astronomical tide is likely to inundate low lying areas of Srikakulam, Sompeta, Vizianagaram, Ganjam districts during the time of landfall.
    • The fishermen are advised not to venture into the northwest & adjoining the west-central Bay of Bengal and along & off Odisha, West Bengal & North Andhra Pradesh coasts.
  • Actions suggested by  IMD 
    • Avoid staying in a vulnerable structure
    • Avoid going to areas that face water logging problems often.
    • Check for traffic congestion in your route before leaving for your destination.
    • Follow traffic advisories issued in this regard
    • Follow IMD warnings for updates.

Cyclone Gulab:-Download PDF Here

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