Frequency of cyclones in Arabian Sea risen by 52% from 1982-2019: Study

The frequency of cyclones in the Arabian Sea increased by 52% and the number of extremely severe cyclones has risen by 150% between 1982 and 2019 when compared to two decades before this period, said a recent study. However, the Bay of Bengal has witnessed a slight decline in the number and frequency of cyclones in the same time gap.

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While discussing the reason behind these alters, the co-author of the study, M K Roxy, said that the increase in cyclone activity in the Arabian Sea is relatively linked to the rising temperatures of the oceans and increased availability of moisture, which is a result of Global warming. This phenomenon is largely responsible for all the climate-related changes reported across the world.

Global warming is the gradual heating of the inner surface of the Earth due to the excessive presence of carbon and green gases in the Earth’s atmosphere. This heat results in the melting of glaciers and the rising temperature of oceans seas and other water bodies.

“There is a 52% increase in the number of cyclones in the Arabian Sea. Very severe cyclones have increased by 150%. The number of cyclones in the Bay of Bengal has declined by 8% between 1982 and 2019,” Roxy said.

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As far as the intensity of cyclones goes, it has increased in the Arabian Sea by about 20% during the post-monsoon season. The accumulated cyclone energy in the Arabian Sea has almost tripled but there has been no significant change in this regard in the Bay of Bengal, Roxy added.

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The study was conducted by the researchers of the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology; Department of Atmospheric and Space Sciences, Savitribai Phule Pune University; School of Environmental and Earth Sciences, KBC North Maharashtra University, Jalgaon; Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela.

The researchers are Medha Deshpande, Vineet Kumar Singh, Mano Kranthi Gandhi, M K Roxy, R Emmanuel, and Umesh Kumar.