Cyclone Biparjoy rapidly intensifies into severe cyclonic storm, monsoon progress expected to be affected
According to forecasting agencies, the storm has been experiencing a process of rapid intensification
New Delhi, June 7: Cyclone 'Biparjoy', the first storm of the year brewing in the Arabian Sea, has undergone rapid intensification, now classified as a severe cyclonic storm. Meteorologists predict that its influence will result in a "mild" onset of the monsoon over Kerala and a "weak" progress beyond the southern peninsula.
According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), "Cyclonic storm Biparjoy over east-central and adjoining southeast Arabian Sea moved nearly northwards with a speed of 2 kmph during the last six hours, intensified into a severe cyclonic storm and lay centred over the same region at 0530 hours, about 890 km west-southwest of Goa, 1,000 km southwest of Mumbai, 1,070 km south-southwest of Porbandar, and 1,370 km south of Karachi," as stated in an update around 8.30 am.
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Forecasting agencies have observed that the storm has experienced rapid intensification. Since Tuesday morning, Cyclone Biparjoy has intensified by 40 knots (74 kmph), according to the Joint Typhoon Warning Centre (JTWC), the US Department of Defense's agency responsible for issuing tropical cyclone warnings for the Pacific and Indian Oceans.
Scientists have noted that cyclonic storms in the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea are intensifying rapidly and maintaining their intensity for longer durations due to climate change. A study titled 'Changing Status of Tropical Cyclones over the North Indian Ocean' revealed a significant increasing trend in the intensity, frequency, and duration of cyclonic storms and very severe cyclonic storms in the Arabian Sea from 1982 to 2019.
"The increase in cyclone activity in the Arabian Sea is tightly linked to the rising ocean temperatures and increased availability of moisture under global warming. The Arabian Sea used to be cool, but now it is a warm pool," stated Roxy Mathew Koll, Climate Scientist at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology and Lead IPCC Author.
The IMD had previously mentioned that the cyclone is likely to impact the progress of the monsoon. A senior IMD scientist stated that the southern peninsula will experience rainfall under the influence of the cyclonic storm, while a low-pressure system is developing in the Bay of Bengal. However, the further progress of the monsoon beyond the southern peninsula will occur after the cyclone degenerates.
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