Question

Explain the structure of a cyclone. How has advanced technology helped in reducing the impact of cyclones? [5 MARKS]

Answer 1

Structure of cyclone: 3 Marks
Advanced technology: 2 Marks

High-speed winds and pressure difference cause cyclones.
The centre of a cyclone is a calm area. It is called the eye of the storm. A cyclone is a violently rotating mass of air in the atmosphere, 10 to 15 km high.
The diameter of the eye varies from 10 to 30 km. It is a region free of clouds and has light winds. Around this calm and clear eye, there is a cloud region of about 150 km in size. In this region, there are high-speed winds with the speed of (150–250 $\frac{km}{h}$) and thick clouds with heavy rain. Away from this region the wind speed gradually decreases.


With the help of satellites and radars, Cyclone alert or Cyclone watch is issued 48 hours in advance of any expected storm and a Cyclone warning is issued 24 hrs in advance. The message is broadcast every hour or half hour when a cyclone is near the coast. Several national and international organizations cooperate to monitor the cyclone-related disasters.