IMD warns of more tornadoes in northern Bengal | Current Affairs | Vision IAS
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IMD warns of more tornadoes in northern Bengal

Posted 04 Apr 2024

2 min read

  • In recent years, many tornadoes have formed across India. A warming Bay of Bengal, heated land and strange wind patterns could be a reason behind this.

 

  • Tornado is land-based vertical column of violently rotating air that extends from thunderstorm to ground.
    • It can have wind speeds in range of 105-322 Km/hr.
  • They develop from severe thunderstorms in warm, moist, unstable air along and ahead of cold fronts.
    • Thunderstorms are severe local storms associated with thunder, lightning, heavy rain, hail, strong winds etc.
  • Tornadoes are most common in United States, Argentina and Bangladesh.
    • In India, these are reported in eastern states of West Bengal, Odisha, and Jharkhand during pre-monsoon period. 
    • India is known for formation of Tropical Cyclones.

 

Parameters

Tropical Cyclones

Tornadoes

Size and Scale

Can span hundreds of miles and affect vast areas.

Size is only a few hundred yards in diameter.

Wind Shear

Require very low values of tropospheric vertical shear.

Require substantial vertical shear of horizontal winds.

Temperature Gradient

Generated in regions of near-zero horizontal temperature gradient.

Produced in regions of large temperature gradient.

Area of Formation

Purely an oceanic phenomenon.

Primarily developed over land.

Time-Scale

Lifetime that is measured in days.

Typically lasts on the scale of minutes.

Impact

Heavy rainfall, storm surges, and widespread flooding.

Cause Localized destruction.

  • Tags :
  • Tornado
  • Tropical Cyclones
  • Bay of Bengal
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