Cyclone Tauktae

Scientists from the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), Hyderabad, have studied the causes behind the rapid intensification and formation of Cyclone Tauktae in 2021.

Overview of Cyclone Tauktae

• Cyclone Tauktae is a tropical cyclone named Myanmar.
• The word “Tauktae” means ‘gecko,’ a vocal lizard, in the Burmese language.
• Occurrence Period:
• • Tropical cyclones in the North Indian Ocean region (Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea) usually form during:
    • Pre-monsoon period: April to June.
    • Post-monsoon period: October to December.
• Cyclone Tauktae occurred in the Arabian Sea from May, 2021.
• It was categorized as an “extremely severe cyclonic storm.”
• Main Causes of Rapid Intensification of Cyclone Tauktae
  • Atmospheric and Land Heating:
    • Increased heating in the atmosphere and land played a significant role, slightly more than the ocean.
      • Researchers found that both the atmosphere and ocean contributed to the intensification of Tauktae, with the atmosphere playing a slightly larger role (54%).
    • High humidity levels, sea surface temperatures, and ocean heat potential contributed to the cyclone’s intensification.
  • Role of Soil and Land:
    • Near the west coast, moist soil with temperatures above 25°C released latent heat into the atmosphere, strengthening the storm.
• Other Contributing Factors
  • La Niña: Cooling of the Pacific Ocean, which impacts the Indian Ocean and monsoon.
  • Negative Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD): Another climatic factor that affects monsoon patterns.
  • Atmospheric Oscillations: Helped increase relative humidity, leading to cyclone intensification.