Nisarga Cyclone - Overview, Formation, Wind Speed, Impact, Aftermath And More

Since 1891, the Nisarga Cyclone was the most powerful tropical cyclone to hit the Indian state of Maharashtra in June 2020. The cyclone was also the first to affect Raigad and Mumbai since Phyan in 2009. Nisarga began as a depression in the Arabian Sea and proceeded generally northward to become the third depression and second named cyclone of the yearly cyclone season. The Nisarga Cyclone developed following the low-pressure area over the southeast, east-central Arabian Sea, and Lakshadweep region. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has classified this cyclone as a tropical cyclone as, a “Severe Cyclonic Storm,” and according to the warning of the department, the storm crossed Northern Maharashtra on June 3, 2020, with a maximum sustained speed of 100-110 kmph gusting to 120 kmph.

In this article, we shall discuss Cyclone Nisarga for the UPSC IAS exam in detail, which is also a significant part of the GS paper-1 syllabus.

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About Nisarga Cyclone

• The depression (low-pressure region) in the Arabian Sea leads to the formation of Nisarga cyclone.
• The name “Nisarga” was given by Bangladesh.
• Note: When a tropical cyclone has developed over the Bay of Bengal or the Arabian Sea and has attained the appropriate intensity, it is named by the Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre (RSMC) New Delhi Tropical Cyclone Center.
• It impacted the Indian states of Maharashtra and Gujarat.
• This Tropical cyclone developed as a result of unusually warm ocean waters.
• In Mumbai and Goa, Doppler Weather Radars (DWRs) are being deployed to monitor cyclones.
• IMD has also provided the speed intensity over the course of two days:
  • Severe cyclonic storm on June 3 with winds reaching 120 kmph (100-110 kmph).
  • Depression on June 4th, 30–40 kmph with 50 kmph gusts.
• Cyclone Nisarga resulted in the following circumstances in comparison to Cyclone Amphan:
  • Light to moderate rain most of the time
  • Rainfall was very heavy to very heavy in certain areas.
  • Extremely severe rains in remote locations.

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Overview of Nisarga Cyclone

Why is the cyclone named Nisarga?

Nisarga Cyclone 2020 was chosen from a list of 169 names that IMD provided in April 2020. Following Amphan, a powerful cyclone inflicted extensive damage on the coasts of Bangladesh and West Bengal in May 2020. Bangladesh suggested the name Nisarga which means “nature.”

Also, check out the article on Cyclone Amphan with this link!

When was Cyclone Nisarga formed?

Cyclone Nisarga was formed on 2 June 2020.

How long did the cyclone Nisarga last?

Cyclone Nisarga lasted between 2 June 2020- 4 June 2020.

Where did Cyclone Nisarga hit?

It affected the coastal districts of Union Territory of Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Maharashtra and Gujarat,

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Formation Of Cyclone Nisarga

On May 31, 2020, a low-pressure area was formed over the Eastern Arabian Sea and persisted there with a clear low-pressure area boundary. Early on June 1, 2020, it became a depression across the eastern, central, and southern Arabian Sea. On the same day, it later turned into the Deep Depression. On June 2, 2020, the deep depression became a cyclonic storm.

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What steps were taken by the Disaster Management Department for the Nisarga Cyclone?

The following steps were taken by the Disaster Management Department:

• The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) mobilised sufficient resources and self-contained rescue and relief teams in the potentially affected areas of vulnerable States/UTs in response to the cyclone warning.
• The NDRF teams had wireless sets, satellite phones, cutters, and other tools and equipment.
• The NDRF crews took all necessary procedures to ensure no casualties, including moving residents from dangerous areas to safer ones.
• In the coastal regions of Maharashtra, including Sindhudurg, Ratnagiri, Thane, Palghar, Raigad, and Mumbai, 20 NDRF teams were stationed.
• During the cyclone, Nisarga NDRF teams helped the local government during the deployment to restore normalcy to the afflicted areas.
• NDRF teams collaborated with other agencies and stakeholders around-the-clock to reestablish normalcy.
• The local administration received full support from the NDRF teams during the deployment, and they did all possible to restore normalcy.

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What was the wind speed of Cyclone Nisarga?

The wind speed of the Nisarga Cyclone are mentioned in the table below:

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Impact of the Nisarga Cyclone

It caused death, injuries to people, and damage to the land. It also destroyed many houses. Gujarat and Maharashtra experienced significant rainfall as a result of this cyclone. Maharashtra saw 72.5 mm of rain, with Jalna receiving the most of it, around 152mm.

Aftermath Of Cyclone Nisarga

While cyclones have always been more common in the Bay of Bengal, they have historically been less common off India’s western coast, a tendency that scientists say has been slowly shifting.

Cyclones that arise in the Bay of Bengal are additionally stronger than those that form on the Arabian Sea side. Strong cyclones that form on the Bay of Bengal side are discouraged by the Arabian Sea’s relatively cool waters, which are found there.

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Other Tropical Cyclones in the Arabian Sea

Check out other Tropical Cyclones in the Arabian Sea in the table below:

Conclusion

Out of the eight cyclones that occurred in 2018, the Arabian Sea saw five, the most since 1902. This suggested that in 2019, the Arabian Sea was warmer than usual. The previous year also saw the highest ocean heat content ever measured. As 90% of the heat retained by greenhouse gas emissions travels into the world’s oceans, this is a direct result of global warming.

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