Tropical Cyclone
A tropical cyclone is an intense circular storm that originates over warm tropical oceans. It has maximum sustained wind speeds exceeding 119 kilometers per hour and heavy rains. They are also known as typhoons or hurricanes. They are among the most destructive weather phenomena. Tropical cyclones form near the equator because sea surface temperatures need to be at least 80°F (27°C). However, they do not form within 5° latitude of the equator because of the lack of sufficient Coriolis force.
In the last 200 years, about 1.5 million people have been killed by tropical cyclones. Wind can cause up to 83% of the total damages of a storm. Broken wreckage from destroyed objects can become deadly flying pieces. Flooding can also occur when a lot of rain falls and/or when storm surges push water onto the land. There is a possibility of “indirect” deaths after a tropical cyclone passes. For example, New Orleans, Louisiana suffered from poor health conditions after Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005.
Natural Disaster- Concept and Its Classification| Class 11 Geography Notes
A natural disaster is a major event that results from the Earth’s natural processes and causes widespread destruction to the environment and loss of life. Some examples of natural disasters include avalanches, landslides, earthquakes, sinkholes, volcanic eruptions, floods, tsunamis, cyclonic storms, and blizzards. Natural disasters can have a devastating impact on human populations and the environment. They can cause loss of life, property damage, and economic disruption. Natural disasters can also lead to long-term environmental problems, such as pollution and soil erosion.
In this article, we will look into the concept of natural disaster and its classification in detail. This is an important topic in Class 11 Geography. Students can go through this article to get comprehensive notes on Natural Disaster and its Classification.