Landfall of a Cyclone

Context: According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the landfall process of Cyclone Biparjoy started near Jakhau port in Gujarat. About Landfall of Cyclone:

• Landfall is the event of a tropical cyclone coming onto land after being over water.
• As per the IMD, a tropical cyclone is said to have made a landfall when the center of the storm – or its eye – moves over the coast.
• Landfalls can last for a few hours, with their exact duration depending on the speed of the winds and the size of the storm system.
• Cyclones lose their intensity once they move over land because of sharp reduction of moisture supply and increase in surface friction.
  • This means that while landfalls are often the most devastating moments of cyclones, they also mark the beginning of its end.

Impact of Cyclone’s Landfall:

• The damage caused by the landfall will depend on the severity of the cyclone – marked by the speed of its winds.
• For Cyclone Biparjoy, classified by the IMD as a “very severe cyclonic storm”, the impact may include:
  • Extensive damage to kutcha houses
  • Partial disruption of power and communication lines
  • Minor disruption of rail and road traffic
  • Potential threat from flying debris
  • Flooding of escape routes.
• The factors behind damage during landfall of cyclone include extremely strong winds, heavy rainfall and the storm surge which cause devastating floods in the coast.

News Source: The Indian Express