Kyarr intensifies, becomes the first Super Cyclone in Arabian Sea in 12 years - Pragnya IAS Academy - News Analysis.

Kyarr intensifies, becomes the first Super Cyclone in Arabian Sea in 12 years.

• Kyarr is the ninth super cyclone to have developed in the North Indian Ocean, after Super Cyclone Gonu in 2007
• As per the forecast, it is likely to continue its movement west-northwestwards towards Oman coast during the next five days
Cyclone 'Kyarr' intensifies to become the first Super Cyclonic storm in Arabian Sea in last 12 years after Cyclone Gonu ravaged the Oman coast in 2007.
According to India Meteorological Department (IMD), the cyclone rapidly intensified Saturday onwards and became a Super Cyclone early on Sunday. The rapid intensification of cyclones being observed in recent years is posing an increasing challenge for the scientists to predict the intensity of the storm its likely path.
As per the forecast, it is likely to continue its movement west-northwestwards towards Oman coast during the next five days. It could intensify further during the next 24 hours and weaken gradually thereafter. However it will remain 'severe' till November 1.

The current assessment shows it is moving away from the west coast of India and currently lays centred over Eastcentral Arabian Sea, about 580 km west-southwest of Mumbai (Maharashtra), 1450 km east of Salalah (Oman) and 1010 km east-southeast of Masirah (Oman).
However, the sea condition remains phenomenal over eastcentral Arabian Sea around the system centre and is likely to remain so till 30th October and could improve gradually from the evening of 31st October. Gale winds gusting to 250 kmph are prevailing very over eastcentral and the adjoining westcentral Arabian Sea, as per IMD.
The government's weather department has advised fishermen along the west coast not to venture into eastcentral Arabian Sea till Tuesday and into west central Arabian Sea from October 28 to November 1.
Kyarr is the ninth super cyclone to have developed in the North Indian Ocean, after Super Cyclone Gonu in 2007. Gonu had made landfall in Oman with winds gusting upto 150km/hour, making it one of the strongest tropical cyclone on record to strike the Arabian Sea, killing over 50. It was also the strongest cyclone to have made a landfall in Oman.
Before that, Odisha was hit by a Super Cyclone in 1999 causing catastrophic damage to the state and massive loss of life and property. It remains one of the most destructive cyclone to have hit the eastern coastal state of Odisha.(Source: Livemint)


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Kyarr intensifies, becomes the first Super Cyclone in Arabian Sea in 12 years.

Increasing global warming leading to fish mortalities in Arabian Sea: Indo-US study - Pragnya IAS Academy - News Analysis

Increasing global warming leading to fish mortalities in Arabian Sea: Indo-US study.

Scientists say the growing abundance of green algae, Noctiluca scintillans, is a cause of concern, because they adversely affect fish, which do not thrive in such waters.

In what is set to aggravate concerns over climate change, a new joint Indo-US study has found that global warming is leading to large-scale fish kills in the Arabian Sea by fuelling the growth of harmful bioluminescent algae.
The striking green algae, Noctiluca scintillans, which is behind the scintillating phenomenon observed in oceans when they glow fluorescent blue at night, are indicators of fish mortality. Scientists highlight that their growing abundance is a cause of concern, because they adversely affect fish, which do not thrive in such waters.
“Less dense water comes to the surface because of the warming of oceans, encouraging these intense blooms, which has an adverse impact on fisheries. Currently, the western coast, Persian Gulf, and Oman are largely affected, but if it keeps on increasing, it will have drastic effects on fisheries along the Indian coast. That could be alarming,” said Dr S.C. Shenoi, director, Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS).
The study jointly conducted by scientists of INCOIS, Hyderabad, and those of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) under the US Department of Commerce, published its findings in ScienceDirect.
The new research contradicts another study, which had indicated that the massive outbreak of Noctiluca was occurring because of an increase in oxygen minimum zones.
Dr Shenoi pointed out that oxygen minimum zones are in the deeper layers of the sea and said the research team has found that there was no oxygen depleted water at the surface, where the bloom is prevalent. The dissolved oxygen in the surface water was always >70% saturated, research showed.
“A recent study had laid the blame for fish mortality on the coastal pollution caused by dumping of fertilisers and waste along the Indian coast. But this research has shown that rather than effluents or chemical pollution, it is actually global warming that is contributing to the observed abundance of Noctiluca,” said Dr Shenoi.
The researchers used sensors on board satellites to observe the distribution of these harmful algae from 2009 to 2016.
The researchers said that warming causes sea-water layers to stratify more intensely and slows upward movement of nutrients like silicate from the ocean bottom. “This discourages growth of diatoms, which need silicate and sunlight. It instead leads to flourishing of Noctiluca which preys on diatoms,” said the study.
“The present findings show no evidence that cultural eutrophication has contributed to the decadal scale shifts in plankton (algae) composition in the north- eastern Arabian Sea. Instead, the lessons that are learned here may help to forecast the effects that climate change may have in other productive oceanic ecosystems,” stated the research paper published in ScienceDirect.
Following the research, INCOIS has announced the setting up of a Marine Observation System along Indian Coast (MOSAIC) to monitor the water quality of the Indian coastal waters. (Source: Livemint)


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Increasing global warming leading to fish mortalities in Arabian Sea: Indo-US study.