Question

how is the forecasting of cyclones done in India

Answer 1

Cyclone forecasts are provided through six-cyclone warning centers located at Kolkata, Bhubaneswar, Visakhapatnam, Chennai, Mumbai and Ahmedabad. These centers have their distinct area wise responsibilities covering both the east and west coasts of India and the oceanic areas of the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea, including Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep.

Cyclone warnings are issued to the All India Radio (AIR) and the Doordarshan for broadcast/telecast in different languages. Cyclone warnings are also given to control room and Crisis Management Group in the Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India, who are finally responsible for coordinating various activities of Centre and State Governments and other agencies in respect of cyclone warnings. Forecasts and warnings are simultaneously communicated to the States and the Districts likely to be attached. Ports, airports and other user agencies also receive the forecasts and warnings at the same time.

Answer 2

Until recently predictions were centred around the motion of the cyclone, but both motion and intensity are now being routinely predicted. A tropical cyclone forecast involves the prediction of several interrelated features, including the track, winds, rainfall, storm surge and, of course, the areas threatened.