Why in the news?

  • Cyclone Montha made landfall in the Andhra Pradesh coast.

Cyclonic Landfall

  • What is it?
    • As per IMD a landfall occurs when the centre or eye of a tropical cyclone crosses the coast from sea to land.
    • A direct hit may occur when the cyclone’s eyewall (zone of strongest winds) touches land even if the eye remains offshore.
  • Causes
    • High-velocity winds
    • Heavy precipitation
    • Coastal inundation due to storm surge
  • Impacts
    • Extensive damage to kutcha houses
    • Power and communication lines disrupted
    • Rail and road traffic interruptions
    • Flying debris, uprooted trees
    • Flooding from intense rainfall and storm surges
  • Duration: Landfall may last a few hours, depending on cyclone size and movement speed.
  • Post-Landfall Effects:
    • Cyclones lose intensity after landfall due to:
      • Decreased moisture supply from sea
      • Increased surface friction over land
    • Marks the beginning of cyclone dissipation, though heavy rain may continue inland.