Chinmaya IAS Academy – Current Affairs Chinmaya IAS Academy – Current Affairs
Cyclone Fengal recently made landfall in Puducherry, marking the second cyclone to affect India’s eastern coastline within two months, following Cyclone Dana.
What is Landfall?
Landfall refers to the moment when a tropical cyclone moves from the sea onto land. According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), a cyclone officially makes landfall when its center, or eye, crosses the coastline.
Even before the eye reaches the shore, the cyclone’s outer bands typically bring strong winds, heavy rainfall, and storm surges. It’s important to distinguish landfall from a direct hit: a direct hit happens when the eyewall—the zone of strongest winds—comes ashore, even if the cyclone’s center remains over water.
Duration and Impact of Landfall
- Time Duration: The process of landfall can take several hours, depending on the cyclone’s size and wind speed.
- Post-Landfall Intensity: Cyclones begin to weaken once they make landfall due to reduced access to moisture and increased surface friction. While this phase is often the most destructive, it also marks the start of the storm’s gradual weakening.