Over 62% of the tropical cyclones that form in the cyclone season (Oct-Dec) in the Bay of Bengal strike different parts of the east coast of India. Here’s a look at two major paths of cyclones that form in the Indian Ocean:
Cyclones in October and November – The Bay of Bengal tropical cyclones more often strike Odisha and West Bengal in the month of October, and Andhra Pradesh in the month of November. 35% of the cyclones that form, hit Odisha, 15% affect Bengal and 30% impact Andhra Pradesh.
The cyclones that form in October follow a west – northwestward path striking Odisha. The ones that form in November follow a westward path, having major impact on Andhra Pradesh. Cyclone Phailin followed a west-northwestward path over the seas to hit Odisha on 12th October 2013, whereas the recently formed Cyclone Lehar followed a set path, moving in the westward direction and heading straight for Andhra coast.
Cyclones in December – 20% of the cyclones that form in India in the Bay of Bengal hit Tamil Nadu. The state receives more than 50% of its rain from yearly cyclones. ‘Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Thane', the strongest storm of 2011, travelled in a westward direction which is the normal track for the movement of a cyclone in this month. It hit north Tamil Nadu coast between Cuddalore and Puducherry on 30th December, 2011.
Further, out of all the systems and cyclones which form in the Indian seas, 25% strike the coasts of Bangladesh and Myanmar and 13% dissipate over the seas itself. These tropical cyclones usually form quite rapidly and transform from a low pressure system into a severe or very severe cyclone lasting for about 48 to 72 hours over land and giving torrential rain, not just at the east coast but also over the interiors of South India.
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