Explained: Death-Dealing Sitrang Cyclone, Causes, How Cyclone named in History, and More

On the 24th of October 2022, cyclone Sitrang struck regions of Bangladesh, where approximately more than 24 people died in this cyclone; It had been projected that the effect would be seen in the south Bengal district as well; However, the cyclone pressure weakened around 11.36 AM on the 25th of October 2022. Several houses were damaged due to Cyclone Sitrang, which caused heavy rainfall and a storm in Assam, but there was no life harm. Let us have a look at the sitrang cyclone in-depth and other highlights of the cyclone.

Timeline of Sitrang Cyclone

• IMD, in its latest bulletin on the 24th of October 2022, said that Cyclone' Sitrang' lay centered about 230 km of Sagar Island in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district and is expected to continue moving north-northeastwards before making landfall on the Bangladesh coast. The cyclone named by Thailand will likely turn into a severe cyclonic storm and land between Tinkona Island and Sandwip in Bangladesh during midnight and early hours of the 25th of October 2022.
• The latest cyclonic storm has already hit several coastal regions of Bengal and even brought downpours in Assam. In preparation, many districts in Odisha, Bengal, and northeastern states like Tripura, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Nagaland, and Assam have been put on alert by the weather department.
• Multiple National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have been deployed in Bengal's Gangasagar, Diamond Harbour, Gosaba, and Kakdwip by the district administration owing to Cyclone Sitrang'.
• Bengal's capital Kolkata, and adjoining southern districts of Howrah and Hooghly, woke up to light rain on the 24th of October morning and an overcast sky, raising the likelihood of a heavy downpour to dampen Diwali festivities and Kali Puja celebrations.
• When 'Sitrang' reaches the severe cyclonic stage, heavy rain with wind speed going to 90 to 100 kmph, gusting to 110 kmph, is likely to happen in the coastal districts of Bengal - Purba Medinipur, South 24 Parganas, and North 24 Parganas. In Kolkata, the wind speed could reach up to 50 kmph.
• In Assam, rain lashed various parts of the northeastern state on the 24th of October 2022 morning, including Cachar, Dima Hasao, Hailakandi, and Karimgang districts.
• The IMD had predicted three-day heavy rainfall starting Monday, with red alerts in Assam, Meghalaya, and Tripura. Besides, an orange alert has been issued 24 hours for Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, and Manipur.
• IMD forecasts squally wind with speed reaching 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph over Tripura, Mizoram, south Assam, east Meghalaya, and Manipur on Tuesday.
• Multiple NDRF teams have been deployed in Tripura ahead of Cyclone Sitrang's landfall. According to local reports, 119 rescue workers have been deployed in the northeastern state, of which over 65 have arrived.
• Among the northeastern states, Arunachal Pradesh, northeast Assam, and Nagaland are likely to witness rainfall on the 26th of October as well, the latest IMD bulletin stated.

What is a cyclone?

• Cyclone' is derived from the Greek word 'Cyclos,' which means 'Coiling of the Snake.'

Causes of Cyclone

• Cyclones are created by atmospheric disruptions around a low-pressure area and are accompanied by fierce storms and severe weather conditions.
• A tropical cyclone causes in a deep low-pressure area.

How is a cyclone named in History?

• Cyclones are named to help people remember them quickly, as technical terms are difficult to memorize. In the beginning, the cyclones were named arbitrarily. For instance, an Atlantic storm that ripped off the mast of a boat named "Antje" became known as Antje's hurricane.
• In the late 1800s, Cyclones were named after Catholic saints. In 1953, the cyclones were named after women as the ships were always referred to as female and often given women's names. In 1979, male characters were introduced. At present, cyclones are named systematically.
• If the speed of a cyclone is more than 34 nautical miles per hour, it becomes necessary to give it a unique name. If the rate of the storm reaches or crosses 74 mph, it is categorized as a hurricane/cyclone/typhoon.
• Before the end of the 1900s, forecasters started using male names for those forming in the Southern Hemisphere.
• Since 1953, Atlantic tropical storms have been named from lists originated by the National Hurricane Center. They are now supported and updated by an international committee of the World Meteorological Organization. The original name lists featured only women's names.
• In 1979, men's names were introduced and rotated with women's names. Six lists are used in rotation. Thus, the 2019 list will be used again in 2025.
• The only time that there is a change in the list is if a storm is so deadly or costly that the future use of its name on a different storm would be inappropriate for reasons of sensitivity. If that occurs, then at an annual meeting of the WMO Tropical Cyclone Committees, the offending name is stricken from the list, and another name is selected to replace it.
• The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for the Asia Pacific (ESCAP) have been naming cyclonic storms since 2000.
• Infamous storm names such as Mangkhut (Philippines, 2018), Irma and Maria (Caribbean, 2017), Haiyan (Philippines, 2013), Sandy (USA, 2012), Katrina (USA, 2005), Mitch (Honduras, 1998) and Tracy (Darwin, 1974) are some examples for this.

Who named tropical cyclones?

• Cyclones in every ocean basin worldwide are named by the regional specialized meteorological centers (RSMCs) and Tropical Cyclone Warning Centers (TCWCs). There are six RSMCs worldwide, including the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and five TCWCs.
• As an RSMC, the IMD names the cyclones forming over the north Indian Ocean, including the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea, after following a routine procedure. The IMD is also mandated to issue advisories to 12 other countries on the expansion of cyclones and storms.