Cyclones

Cyclones are intense low-pressure atmospheric systems characterized by rapid inward air circulation, causing destructive winds, storm surges, and heavy precipitation in coastal and inland areas.

• India's extensive coastline makes it highly vulnerable to tropical cyclones, particularly along the Bay of Bengal and increasingly the Arabian Sea due to changing ocean thermal conditions.
• They serve as a primary test case for evaluating disaster risk reduction frameworks, coastal infrastructure resilience, and community preparedness under the National Disaster Management Plan.
• Understanding cyclone dynamics is essential for analyzing the socio-economic impacts of climate-induced extreme weather events on coastal livelihoods and national development.

UPSC typically frames questions on cyclones around physical geography, such as the differential vulnerability of the eastern and western coasts, and the impact of global warming on cyclone frequency. In the governance domain, questions assess the shift from reactive relief to proactive disaster management, highlighting early warning systems, coastal zone management, and resilient infrastructure.

• Geophysical phenomena GS1
• Disaster and disaster management GS3

• Droughts
• Earthquakes
• Floods
• Forest Fires
• Landslides