Why fewer cyclones originate in Arabian Sea compared to Bay of Bengal? Discuss the details of the cyclone warning system in India.

Recently the India Meteorological Department has warned that the deep depression in the Arabian Sea is developing into a severe cyclonic storm. It was named cyclone Vayu.
Reasons for less cyclones originating in Arabian Sea compared to Bay of Bengal:

• Most of Indian coasts lie in tropical region. Tropical cyclones need a temperature of around 25-27 degree Celsius. Greater the temperature over sea, more powerful is cyclone.
• Temperature difference:The Arabian Sea is relatively cooler than this temperature range, which the Bay of Bengal offers
• Greater frequency of Bay of Bengal cyclones and more strength to them come from a foreign source as well
• Most of the cyclones in the Arabian Sea are local. They collapse a little after making landfall as there is no back-up supply
• The hills along the eastern coasts are not high enough to stop cyclones making much inroad into the coastal states
• The Western Ghats prevents the cyclonic storms to go in the hinterland

Stages of Cyclone Warning System in India:
PRE CYCLONE WATCH: Warnings are issued 72 hours in advance.It contains early warning about the development of a cyclonic disturbance in the north Indian Ocean. It is issued by the Director General of Meteorology himself.
CYCLONE ALERT: It is the�Second Stage�warning. It is issued at least 48 hrs. in advance of the expected commencement of adverse weather over the coastal areas.
CYCLONE WARNING: It is the Third Stage�warning. It is issued at least 24 hours in advance of the expected commencement of adverse weather over the coastal areas.
POST LANDFALL OUTLOOK: It is the Fourth Stage�of warning. It is issued at least 12 hours in advance of expected time of landfall.
Absence of large landmass between the Pacific and the Bay, allows cyclonic winds to easily move into the Bay of Bengal. Arabian Sea cyclones are also�relatively weak�compared to those emerging in the Bay of Bengal.
 
 
 

Topics: GS-I: Important Geophysical Phenomena