Nature and impact of extremely severe cyclone Tauktae over India

Abstract

Cyclone Tauktae, an extremely severe cyclonic storm, occurred in the Arabian Sea from May 14 to May 19, 2021, which affected a large spectrum of human lives in many regions of the Indian subcontinent. Therefore, it is imperative to understand the Spatio-temporal progress of this storm along with its environmental characteristics. We observed that Takutae formed in the Arabian Sea due to an anomalous sea surface warming. Integrated buoy and satellite-derived sea surface temperature (SST) showed a gradual increase in SST (30–32 °C) from May 1 to May 14, 2021 in the Arabian Sea, indicating the potential formation of a low-pressure area. As the cyclone progressed and formed a cyclonic storm on May 15, the SST, water vapor, and surface latent heat flux showed very high values. Furthermore, the parameters mentioned above show very high values during severe cyclonic storms (May 16) and severe cyclonic storms (May 17), indicating favorable environmental conditions for the intensification. The favorable condition and intensification of cyclone Takutae is also confirmed by the genesis potential parameter, which shows high values at the depression stage (May 14) and very severe cyclonic storm (May 17), about greater than 30. As a result of storms, high precipitation is observed in different regions of India, for example, 250–300 mm/day precipitation in Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Gujarat. In addition, during the landfall process on May 17 near the Gujarat coasts, very high winds (120–150 km/h), along with precipitation, were observed, which caused a large number of casualties and damage.