Cyclones are fuelled by available heat in the water bodies and the conducive temperature for the intensification of the cyclone is 28°C and above. Scientists and meteorologists have attributed the growing number of cyclones including Tauktae, to climate change because of the intensity with which they have started hitting the Arabian Sea. Recent cyclones like Ockhi, Fani and Amphan have confirmed the trend as they have intensified from a weak cyclonic storm to an extremely severe cyclone in less than 24 hours due to exceptionally warm sea surface temperatures. As a result the sea surface temperature in the Arabian Sea is over the threshold value which leads to active convection, torrential rainfall, and intense cyclones. Scientists have said that climate projections indicate that the Arabian Sea will continue warming due to increasing carbon emissions, resulting in more intense cyclones in the future. Both cyclones and floods due to heavy rains are increasing across the western coast along with a gradual rise in sea level. But we need to be prepared. Cyclone Tauktae left behind a trail of devastation in Kerala, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra and Gujarat, the states which are already grappling with the devastating second wave of Covid.
