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Tropical Cyclones (Characteristics (Sustained strong winds due to strong…
Tropical Cyclones
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Formation
- As warm moist air over the ocean rises, an area of low pressure is formed. Along the way, condensation occur. Heat is released when water vapor condenses into water droplets.
- Continuous large scaled latent heat released makes the air warmer and lowers the pressure so that more moist air from the ocean is drawn and spiral into this low pressure system to form dense cumulonimbus clouds, which produce heavy torrential rainfall.
- As warm air rises, it cools and sinks. The calm dry descending air at the center of a cyclone creates the lowest pressure known as the eye.
4.The tropical cyclones starts to fade away when it reaches land because the supply of warm moist air is cut off.
Hazards
Storm Surge
Storm surge is sudden rise of sea level in which water is piled up against a coastline beyond normal conditions at high tide. Strong winds push water towards the coast and create huge waves.
Storm surge causes the greatest destruction to coastal areas where there is a loss in property an lives. Vessels are swept and stranded inland.
Strong wind
Strong force of winds destroys infrastructure and buildings Loose debris fly and hit people and buildings.
Torrential rainfall
Excess rain water in soil will destabilise slopes and result in landslides. Landslides can remove or crush buildings.
Impact
Physical impact
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E1: Bridges and roads are damaged and flooded, resulting in more difficulties to transport clean water , food and medicine to the affected areas.
E2: For example, in 2009, Typhoon Ketsuna destroyed Manila, the capital of the Philippines. Damage to the roads made it extremely difficult to distribute food and medicine to the victims.
Economic Impact
Economic decline
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E2: For example, in 2011, Tropical Cyclone Yasi destroyed 75% of the bananas in Queensland, Australia. US$350 million was lost.
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Shortage
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E1: Food shortage can occur due to damaged farmlands.Huge amount of money is needed to repair the damaged houses and infrastructure.
E2: For example, a total of US$4 million are used to repair infrastructure and provide humanitarian aid when cyclone Nargis hit Myanmar in 2008.
Social impact
Diseases
E1: Flooding caused by tropical cyclones may burst water pipes and sewage pipes. Water may be contaminated leading to the spread of water-borne diseases.
E2: For example, in 2009, cyclone Alia hit India and caused a cholera outbreak, affecting thousands of people. The cause of the outbreak was due to people drinking contaminated water.
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Homeless
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E2: For example, in 2005, after Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans, USA, hundreds of people are forced to leave their homes and stay in temporary shelters.
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Time
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July to October（autumn) for the northern hemisphere and December to march (summer) for the Southern hemisphere.
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