Hurricane Ida

Hurricane Ida is a tropical depression that is weakening to become the second intense hurricane to strike the U.S state of Louisiana. It made landfall in the state on August 29, 2021. Only Hurricane Katrina exceeds in its intensity.

It is the second major hurricane of the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season.

The following table gives certain facts about Hurricane Ida which will be useful in the Geography segment of the UPSC Exams:

Course of Hurricane Ida

• The potential for the development of tropical cyclones was noted in the southwestern Caribbean Sea by the National Hurricane Center (NHC). It was due to a tropical wave that entered the eastern Caribbean Sea region on August 23, 2021.
• By August 25, it was assessed by the NHC that there was an increased chance of a tropical storm since the wave moved westward through the Caribbean.
• On August 26, observations confirmed that the depression had intensified into a Tropical Storm, now designated as ‘Ida’.
• It was on August 27, that the NHC upgraded Hurricane Ida to Category 1 hurricane status. It made landfall on the same day at Cuba’s Isla de la Juventud.
• Hurricane Ida went into rapid intensification and transformed into a Category 2 Hurricane on August 28. Soon it changed into a Category 3 hurricane on August 29.
• As Ida neared the Louisiana coast, it began sustaining wind speeds of 240 km/h. It made landfall near Port Fourchon, Louisiana.
• Upon making landfall, Hurricane Ida weakened initially, but still remained a dangerous hurricane.
• On August 30, it weakened into a depression as it moved further inland.

To know more about the Cyclones that affected the Indian ocean region visit the following links:

1. Cyclone Nisarga
2. Cyclone Amphan

Hurricane Ida – UPSC Notes:- Download PDF Here

Impact of Hurricane Ida

Hurricane has brought devastation in the regions it made landfall. Many houses were destroyed and trees uprooted in the La Coloma, Pinar del Río regions of Cuba. Despite the worst impact of the hurricane, hospitals continued to work during the storm.

In Louisiana, the regions of New Orleans, Golden Meadow, Houma and Gallino reported severe damage. Houses and vital infrastructure were damaged. Flood warnings were issued in many regions.

Significant damage was recorded in the French Quarter in New Orleans, including destroyed roofs and building collapses. One of the sections of the Gulf Outlet Dam was overtopped by the storm surge.

The impact of Hurricane Ida caused blackouts in the state of Mississippi and Louisiana. Repairs to the massive blackout in New Orleans are estimated to take weeks.

Practise Previous Year Questions on Disaster Management from UPSC Mains GS 3 given in the linked article.