Source: DTE
Context: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed the formation of Cyclone Shakhti over the northeast Arabian Sea.
About Cyclone Shakhti:
What it is?
- A tropical cyclonic storm that developed in the northeast Arabian Sea, ~340 km west of Dwarka (Gujarat).
- Named “Shakhti” under the World Meteorological Organisation’s regional naming system.
Origin:
- Formed due to low-pressure development over warm Arabian Sea waters in early October 2025.
- The system strengthened into a cyclonic storm (CS) on October 3 and is forecast to become a severe cyclonic storm (SCS) as it tracks west-southwestwards.
Features:
- Brings strong winds, high sea waves, and heavy rainfall potential along coastal belts.
- Part of a trend of increasing Arabian Sea cyclones due to rising sea surface temperatures.
Why Bay of Bengal Gets More Cyclones than Arabian Sea
- Warmer Waters:
- Bay of Bengal is semi-enclosed and landlocked, retaining warm water (29–30°C year-round).
- Arabian Sea remains cooler due to stronger winds and evaporation.
- Moisture Availability:
- Bay receives abundant moist air from rivers and monsoon flows.
- Arabian Sea is influenced by dry winds from Oman and Yemen, limiting cyclone intensity.
- External Triggers (Pulses):
- Typhoons from the Pacific often enter Bay of Bengal as low-pressure systems, which then intensify.
- Arabian Sea does not get such external inputs.
