Typhoon Shanshan

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Context

Japan issued an emergency warning as it braced for a powerful typhoon as it slowly approached the southwest of the country, threatening to bring heavy rain and strong winds.

Details

Typhoons

Tropical Cyclones

Tropical cyclones are violent storms that originate over oceans in tropical areas and move over to the coastal areas bringing about large scale destruction caused by violent winds, very heavy rainfall and storm surges.

Nomenclature of tropical storms

They are known as Cyclones in the Indian Ocean, Hurricanes in the Atlantic, Typhoons in the Western Pacific and South China Sea, and Willy-willies in the Western Australia.

Formation

 Tropical cyclones originate and intensify over warm tropical oceans.

Pre-Conditions

• Large sea surface with temperature higher than 27° C;
• Presence of the Coriolis force;
• Small variations in the vertical wind speed;
• A pre-existing weak low-pressure area or low-level-cyclonic circulation;
• Upper divergence above the sea level system.

Mechanism

• The energy that intensifies the storm, comes from the condensation process in the towering cumulonimbus clouds, surrounding the centre of the storm.
• With continuous supply of moisture from the sea, the storm is further strengthened.
• On reaching the land the moisture supply is cut off and the storm dissipates.
• The place where a tropical cyclone crosses the coast is called the landfall of the cyclone.
• A mature tropical cyclone is characterised by the strong spirally circulating wind around the centre, called the eye.
• The diameter of the circulating system can vary between 150 and 250 km.
• The eye is a region of calm with subsiding air.
• Around the eye is the eye wall, where there is a strong spiralling ascent of air to greater height reaching the
• The wind reaches maximum velocity in this region, reaching as high as 250 km per hour. Torrential rain occurs here.
• From the eye wall rain bands may radiate and trains of cumulus and cumulonimbus clouds may drift into the outer region.
• The diameter of the storm over the Bay of Bengal, Arabian sea and Indian ocean is between 600 - 1200 km.
• The system moves slowly about 300 - 500 km per day.
• The cyclone creates storm surges and they inundate the coastal low lands. The storm peters out on the land.

Source

https://www.dw.com/en/japan-issues-emergency-alert-braces-for-typhoon-shanshan/a-70067928#:~:text=As%20Typhoon%20Shanshan%20slowly%20approaches,all%20of%20its%20domestic%20plants.

PRACTICE QUESTIONS Q. Island of Yakushima often mentioned in news is located in which of the following Sea? A. South China Sea B. East China Sea C. Yellow Sea D. Sea of Japan Answer B