Introduction
It is a challenging year we are in.” Definitely a cyclone of some significance in South India in recent times. In pic: A cargo ship washed ashore at Vanagram village after #CycloneNivar barreled through https://t. Making landfall on 26 November 2020, the cyclone brought heavy rains, strong winds, and widespread devastation throughout Tamil The aftermath, history, and lessons learned from Tropical Cyclone Nivar Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Puducherry. It also highlighted the importance of preparedness, early warnings, and community resilience in the aftermath of the immediate devastation. Three quarters of mankind have been killed with weapons of war.
What is a Tropical Cyclone?
But before we get into Cyclone Nivar, let’s find out what a tropical cyclone.
What is a tropical cyclone?
A cyclone is a rapidly spinning storm system.
It develops over warm tropical oceans.
Characteristic: Low pressure centers, thunderstorms, and Strong winds.
Formation of Cyclones
Tropical cyclones require:
Sea Surface Temperature: 26°C or above.
Instability: For rising air masses.
High Humidity: In the mid troposphere.
Coriolis Effect To bring the system spinning into action.
Weak Vertical Wind Shear: The system can develop vertically without limitations.
Tropical Cyclone Nivar: An Overview
A short history of Cyclone Nivar
Nov. 23, 2020 System 98B classified as Depression in the Bay of Bengal.
November 24, 2020, deepened into a deep depression.
Rapidly intensified into a severe cyclonic storm and made landfall at Puducherry on 25 November 2020.
Affected Regions
Tamil Nadu: Chennai and its neighbouring districts.
Andhra Pradesh: Coastal districts.
Puducherry: Puducherry flooded, property washed away, homes damaged flooded, with property washed away and homes damaged
Meteorological Classification
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), according to information from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) :
Depression Deep Depression Cyclonic Storm Severe Cyclonic Storm.
Nivar was categorized as a Severe Cyclonic Storm with a wind speed of 100 to 120 km/h.
Effects of Cyclone Nivar
Human Impact
Casualties: Over 10 lives lost.
Displacements: Thousands have been brought to improvised evacuation facilities.
Livelihoods: Fishing and farming communities were ravaged.
Economic Damage
Loss of property and infrastructure to the tune of over 4,000 crores.
Highways, electricity poles, and communication systems were severely damaged.
Large tracts of paddy, banana, and groundnut crops were damaged.
Environmental Consequences
Flooding of agricultural fields.
Trees were also uprooted, and green cover was destroyed.
Coastal erosion in some regions Tropical Cyclone Nivar.
Government and Community Response
Early Warning and Evacuation
IMD has sounded warning alarms.
Over 1,00,000 took refuge in safe shelters.
State governments coordinated relief operations.
Relief Measures
First aid and medical supplies, Food, and clean water.
Sending of NDRF teams for Tropical Cyclone Nivar.
Resumption of power and communications within days.
Role of Technology
Mobile alerts and weather apps helped to spread awareness.
Satellite imagery tracked cyclone movement.
Versus other Cyclones: Towards South Tamil Nadu, the comparison of Cyclone Nivar vs other cyclones
Nivar vs. Cyclone Gaja (2018)
Feature Cyclone Nivar (2020)Cyclone Gaja (2018) Category Severe Cyclonic Storm (SCS)Very Severe Cyclonic Storm (VSCS)Landfall Place Puducherry Nagapattinam Coastal wind speed.
Nivar-Nivar vs. Cyclone-Vardah (2016)
It was more powerful in comparison to Cyclone Vardah, where wind speeds were 130 to 140 km/h.
Instead, Nivar dumped even more rainfall and brought more flooding as it refused to let up.
Both of the cyclones highlighted the danger Chennai is prone to from storms.
Tropical Cyclone Nivar is a stark reminder of what we can expect
Importance of Preparedness
Strengthening early warning systems for Tropical Cyclone Nivar.
Educating communities on evacuation protocols.
Having emergency supplies in at risk locations.
Infrastructure Resilience
Need for stronger power grids.
Flood-resistant road and drainage systems.
Storm surge barriers at the coast, Tropical Cyclone Nivar.
Role of Climate Change
“Increases in sea temperatures could lead to an increase in the frequency of cyclones.
Urbanization makes cities more vulnerable.
Climate resiliency must be accounted for in long-term planning.
How to Prepare for a Disaster If You Live in a Tropical Cyclone’s Path
Before a Cyclone
Keep emergency kits ready.
Follow weather updates from IMD.
Identify safe shelters in advance.
During a Cyclone
Stay indoors and away from windows.
Cut the power to be safe.
Listen to official alerts, not rumors.
After a Cyclone
You just need to be careful about flooded roads and downed power lines.
Help the less fortunate who reside in your village.
Report damages to local authorities.
Conclusion
Tropical cyclone Nivar was more than a mere weather system; it was also a reminder of the region’s vulnerability to natural disasters. About affected lives, housing, and economy, the learning that came out of this cyclone is a good takeaway; it helps the agencies and communities to have better preparedness for disasters. Resilience, technology, and awareness can help South India prepare for future storms. Realizing the influence of tropical cyclone Nivar aids in letting history guide us to safer, more resilient communities.