Cyclones & Anticyclones – NDA Geography PYQs

NDA 2024-II

Q. 1. The Saffir-Simpson scale is used to measure:

(a) Earthquake magnitude

(b) Cyclone rainfall

(c) Hurricane intensity

(d) Wind energy potential

Answer: (c) Hurricane intensity

Explanation: The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale categorises hurricane (tropical cyclone) intensity based on sustained wind speed, from Category 1 (weakest) to Category 5 (strongest): Category 1: 119–153 km/h: Minimal damage. Category 2: 154–177 km/h: Moderate damage. Category 3: 178–208 km/h: Extensive damage. Category 4: 209–251 km/h: Extreme damage. Category 5: ≥252 km/h: Catastrophic damage. It was developed by Herbert Saffir (civil engineer) and Robert Simpson (meteorologist) in 1971. It is used primarily for Atlantic and Pacific hurricanes. Concept Tested: Saffir-Simpson scale: measures hurricane (tropical cyclone) intensity; Category 1 to 5 based on wind speed

NDA 2023-II

Q. 2. Cyclone Amphan made landfall on the eastern coast of India in May 2020. It has been classified as:

(a) Very Severe Cyclonic Storm

(b) Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm

(c) Severe Cyclonic Storm

(d) Super Cyclonic Storm

Answer: (d) Super Cyclonic Storm

Explanation: Cyclone Amphan struck the eastern coast of India (West Bengal and Bangladesh) on 20 May 2020. At its peak intensity, it was classified as a “Super Cyclonic Storm”: the most intense category in the India Meteorological Department (IMD) classification system. IMD cyclone classification (increasing intensity): Depression → Deep Depression → Cyclonic Storm → Severe Cyclonic Storm → Very Severe Cyclonic Storm → Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm → Super Cyclonic Storm. Amphan was the most powerful cyclone to strike the Bay of Bengal in decades and caused catastrophic damage to West Bengal, particularly Kolkata. Concept Tested: Cyclone Amphan (2020): classified as Super Cyclonic Storm; struck West Bengal/Bangladesh; most intense in decades

NDA 2022-II

Q. 3. Consider the following conditions necessary for the formation of tropical cyclones:

1. Warm ocean water with temperature above 26°C.

2. Pre-existing atmospheric disturbance.

3. Absence of Coriolis force near the Equator prevents cyclone formation there.

Which of the above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 1 and 3 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (b) 1 and 3 only

Explanation: Statement 1 (Warm ocean water >26°C): Correct. Tropical cyclones require a warm ocean surface (typically at least 26.5°C and 60 metres deep) to fuel the evaporation and latent heat release that drives the storm. Statement 2 (Pre-existing atmospheric disturbance): This is generally considered a necessary condition for cyclone formation, but the source records only Statements 1 and 3 as correct: suggesting Statement 2 is treated as insufficient or not required here. Statement 3 (Absence of Coriolis near equator prevents cyclone formation): Correct. Within about 5° of the equator, the Coriolis force is too weak to produce the rotation needed for cyclone development. This is why tropical cyclones do not form at the equator. Concept Tested: Tropical cyclone formation: warm ocean (>26°C) and Coriolis force needed; Coriolis absent near equator prevents formation

NDA 2022-I

Q. 4. Tropical cyclones that originate in the Bay of Bengal strike the:

(a) Coromandel coast of Tamil Nadu and Kerala

(b) Eastern coast of India

(c) Western coast of India

(d) North-eastern coast of India

Answer: (b) Eastern coast of India

Explanation: Tropical cyclones that form in the Bay of Bengal typically move westward or northwestward, making landfall on India’s eastern coast: principally affecting Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal. The Bay of Bengal is responsible for about 7–8 cyclones per year across the north Indian Ocean region, and about 80% of these affect the Indian subcontinent’s eastern coast. Note: The Coromandel coast (option a) is the eastern coast of Tamil Nadu: it is part of the eastern coast, not separate. Option (b) is the more complete/general answer. Concept Tested: Bay of Bengal cyclones → strike eastern coast of India (Odisha, AP, TN, WB)

NDA 2021-II

Q. 5. Which coast of India did Cyclone Tauktae severely affect in the year 2021?

(a) Coromandel coast

(b) Western coast

(c) Northern coast

(d) Eastern coast

Answer: (b) Western coast

Explanation: Cyclone Tauktae was a severe cyclonic storm that made landfall on the western coast of India in May 2021. It affected Kerala, Karnataka, Goa, and Maharashtra (Konkan coast) before making landfall in Gujarat near Diu with very high wind speeds. Cyclone Tauktae was the most intense cyclone to strike the Arabian Sea and the Gujarat coast in decades. The name “Tauktae” was given by Myanmar and means “gecko” in Burmese. Concept Tested: Cyclone Tauktae (2021): struck the western coast of India; affected Kerala, Goa, Maharashtra, Gujarat

NDA 2013-I

Q. 6. ‘Typhoon’ is the name given to a tropical cyclone in:

(a) Indian Ocean

(b) Bay of Bengal

(c) South China Sea and Western Pacific

(d) Atlantic Ocean

Answer: (c) South China Sea and Western Pacific

Explanation: Tropical cyclones are called by different names depending on the ocean region where they form: Typhoon: Western Pacific Ocean and South China Sea. Hurricane: North Atlantic Ocean and northeastern Pacific Ocean. Cyclone: Indian Ocean (Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea) and South Pacific. Willy-willy: Australia. All are the same meteorological phenomenon: tropical cyclones: just named differently by region. Concept Tested: Typhoon = tropical cyclone in Western Pacific/South China Sea; same as hurricane or cyclone in other oceans

★ JOVIK Exam Insight Regional names for tropical cyclones (NDA tested): Typhoon → Western Pacific, South China Sea (Philippines, Japan, China). Hurricane → North Atlantic, NE Pacific (USA, Caribbean). Cyclone → Indian Ocean (Bay of Bengal → India, Bangladesh; Arabian Sea → India, Pakistan; South Indian Ocean). Willy-willy → Australia and Indian Ocean. Note: The term “super cyclonic storm” is used in India for Category 5-equivalent cyclones.

NDA 2011-I

Q. 7. Which coast of India is most frequently affected by tropical cyclones?

(a) Gujarat coast

(b) Eastern coast

(c) Kerala coast

(d) Konkan coast

Answer: (b) Eastern coast

Explanation: The eastern coast of India (Bay of Bengal coast) is most frequently affected by tropical cyclones. The Bay of Bengal is one of the most cyclone-prone water bodies in the world: it produces about 80% of the world’s total tropical cyclones in relative terms for the north Indian Ocean region. States most affected on the eastern coast: Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal. The Arabian Sea (western coast: Gujarat, Maharashtra, Kerala) also produces cyclones but far less frequently and usually less intensely than the Bay of Bengal. Concept Tested: Eastern coast of India: most frequently affected by tropical cyclones from the Bay of Bengal

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