Flood-hit Gujarat, already reeling under the impact of torrential monsoon rains, is now preparing for a rare cyclone expected to form near the Kachchh-Pakistan coast on Friday. According to meteorologists, this unusual event will see the cyclone moving away from the coast into the Arabian Sea, where it will gradually dissipate.
A Rare Cyclone During Monsoon
Tropical cyclones typically develop in the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea during the pre-monsoon (March-May) or post-monsoon (October-December) seasons. However, this cyclonic system had its origins over land and intensified as it moved westward toward the coast. Senior IMD scientist Monika Sharma explained that while cyclones during the southwest monsoon season (June-September) are uncommon, they can occur, though they tend to be weaker.
Cyclone’s Formation: From Land to Sea
The disturbance first appeared as a ‘low-pressure area’ on August 24 and gradually intensified as it moved over Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Gujarat, becoming a ‘deep depression’ by August 25. This process occurs as low-pressure areas intensify and develop into cyclonic storms, characterized by surface winds ranging from 62-88 kmph.
Cyclone Forecast for Arabian Sea
Meteorologists have predicted that the system will likely move west-southwest, emerging into the northeast Arabian Sea off the Kachchh and Saurashtra coasts, and intensify into a Cyclonic Storm on August 30. However, the cyclone is expected to remain relatively weak and dissipate into the Arabian Sea after gaining marginal strength. This development follows widespread rains in Gujarat, where the slow-moving system has already caused flooding in several areas.
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