Cyclone ″MOHASEN″ Monitored Using Remote Sensing Technology

Abstract

Cyclones occur in Bangladesh almost every year and loses lives and properties which hamper the sustainable development. They are usually formed in the deep seas and hence their studies are very difficult. Space Technology provides valuable information about them and helpful for such conducts. Meteorological satellites are the main sources of information which allow monitoring the formation, development and movement of tropical cyclones. Methodology suggested by D’Vorak is very useful for tropical cyclone analysis which provides cyclone intensity called T-number and corresponding maximum sustained wind speed of the cyclone as well as the pressure around it. Cyclone MOHASEN was initially formed as a low in the Bay near Andaman’s at the 2nd week of May, 2013 and gradually intensified into Cyclonic storm MOHASEN afterwards. It was moving towards north –west direction at the primary stage very slowly and north -westward rapidly in the final stage towards Bangladesh coast. It was gradually intensified but not significantly. The pick was found on 15 May,2013. The intensity i.e, the T number of the cyclone was then found as T 2.5 / T3.0 .The corresponding max sustained wind speed was then 70-80km./hr. Cyclone MOHASEN then made landfall on Bangladesh coast near Borguna –Potuakhali on 16 May,2013 at the morning. It was weakened after hitting the land due to frictional force and battering the area with heavy rain and strong winds. It made the wave propagated over 6 to 7 ft high .The formation, duration and evolution of the cyclone was monitored at SPARRSO ground station mainly using the hourly basis data obtained from MTSAT-1 and FY-2D/E Geo-stationary satellites. The imageries were analyzed using Vimsat, Gmsoft and Dvorak’s algorithm to find out the location, intensification and to observe the movement of the cyclone necessary for early warning and preparedness towards sustainable development of the country. In this paper, monitoring of Cyclone “MOASEN”, formed in the West part of Bay of Bengal /North Indian Ocean in 2013, has been conducted through remote sensing technology.