NEWS – Cyclone Fengal made landfall over Puducherry on November 30, 2024.

What is ‘Landfall’ of a Cyclone?

• Definition: Landfall refers to the event when a tropical cyclone moves from over water to land.
• India Meteorological Department (IMD): A cyclone is said to make landfall when the eye of the storm reaches the coast.
• Landfall vs. Direct Hit:
  • Landfall does not mean the cyclone directly hits a location.
  • A ‘direct hit’ occurs when the core of high winds (eyewall) comes ashore, but the centre of the storm may remain offshore.
  • Strongest winds can still impact land even without a direct landfall.

Damage Caused by Landfall

• Severity: The damage depends on the cyclone’s intensity, marked by wind speed.
• Potential Damages:
  • Extensive damage to kutcha houses.
  • Partial disruption of power and communication lines.
  • Minor disruptions to road and rail traffic.
  • Risk from flying debris and flooding, particularly in coastal areas.
• Factors Contributing to Damage:
  • Strong winds, heavy rainfall, and storm surges leading to coastal flooding.

Duration of Landfall

• Timeframe: Landfalls can last for a few hours.
• Factors Influencing Duration:
  • The speed of winds and size of the storm system affect how long the landfall lasts.

Cyclone’s Loss of Intensity Over Land

• Cyclones weaken after landfall due to a reduction in moisture supply and increased surface friction.
• Significance: While landfall is the most devastating phase, it typically marks the beginning of the cyclone’s decline in strength.

Cyclone Naming

• Cyclone Fengal was named by Saudi Arabia.
• Name Origin: The name is derived from Arabic, reflecting regional linguistic and cultural identity.
• Naming Criteria: Cyclone names are chosen to be short, distinctive, and universally non-offensive.