Cyclone Asna
Context:
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) the deep depression that has been unleashing heavy rains over Gujarat is expected to intensify into a tropical cyclone, named Cyclone Asna, over the Arabian Sea on August 30.
More on News:
- The deep depression, located 60 km northwest of Bhuj and 80 km northeast of Naliya on August 29, has been causing significant rainfall and flooding in Gujarat.
- It represents the first cyclone formation in August in the North Indian Ocean (NIO) region since 1981, and the first in the Arabian Sea since 1976.
- Cyclone Asna, named by Pakistan, represents a rare meteorological event, as only three cyclonic storms have been recorded in the Arabian Sea during August between 1891 and 2023.
Historical Context
Key Highlights:
- IMD predicts it will move west-southwestwards, emerging into the northeast Arabian Sea off the Kachchh and adjoining Saurashtra & Pakistan coasts, and will intensify into a cyclonic storm.
- It will then continue west-southwestwards over the northeast Arabian Sea away from the Indian coast in the subsequent two days and heading towards Oman.
- Windy weather platforms indicate a clear eye of the cyclone and cyclonic wind speeds, supported by ECMWF and GFS data.
- The formation and intensification of the current deep depression may be attributed to an unusual monsoon wind system.
- Typically, the monsoon trough curving at its eastern end provides the necessary conditions for cyclone formation in the Bay of Bengal.
- This season’s shift in wind patterns, with strong easterly winds over southern India, has contributed to the development of the deep depression.
- A deep depression has wind speeds between 52 kmph and 61 kmph, while Cyclone Asna has wind speeds ranging from 63 kmph to 87 kmph.
Scientific Insights