Frequent cyclones in Eastern Arabian Sea

Frequent cyclones in Eastern Arabian Sea

News: Recently, a study in the Nature Journal highlights the concerns related to Climate Change causing frequent Tropical Cyclones (TC) in the Eastern Arabian Sea.

Key Findings:
• Changes in ocean and atmosphere warming patterns are leading to more frequent and severe tropical cyclones in the Eastern Arabian Sea, adjacent to India’s west coast.
• The Arabian Sea accounts for about 2% of the annual global mean of tropical cyclones but poses a considerable threat due to its densely populated coastlines.
• The positive phase of IOD, where one part of the ocean gets warmer than the other, leads to warmer sea surface temperatures and increased precipitation in the western Indian Ocean region.
• The intensification and increase in cyclone frequency pose a significant threat to the densely populated coastal regions along the western coast of India, from Gujarat to Thiruvananthapuram, facing higher risks, including strong winds, storm surges, heavy rainfall, and other associated hazards.
• The changing cyclone patterns are expected to significantly affect the lives and livelihoods of indigenous coastal communities and artisanal fishers, necessitating a need for further studies and adaptation strategies.
• The recent increase in the frequency of extremely severe cyclonic storms over the Arabian Sea during the post-monsoon season is attributed to anthropogenic (human-caused) influence rather than natural variability.