Landfall of Cyclones: Overview and Implications

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Landfall of Cyclones: Overview and Implications

Landfall refers to the event when a tropical cyclone moves from the water onto land, marking a significant phase in the cyclone's lifecycle. According to meteorological definitions, landfall occurs when the center, or eye, of the cyclone crosses the coastline. Prior to landfall, the outer bands of the storm, which consist of strong winds and heavy rainfall, often affect coastal regions. These bands can bring severe weather even before the cyclone’s center makes direct contact with land.

It is important to distinguish between landfall and a direct hit. While landfall marks the crossing of the cyclone’s center over land, a direct hit occurs when the eyewall, which is the region of highest wind speeds, reaches the shore. In this case, the cyclone’s center may remain just offshore, and it is possible to experience strong winds and heavy rain without a direct impact of the core winds.

The duration of landfall can vary based on the cyclone’s size and wind speed, lasting anywhere from several hours to a longer period. After making landfall, a cyclone generally weakens. This is because the storm loses its primary energy source—moisture from the ocean—and encounters increased surface friction on land, both of which contribute to a reduction in intensity. Despite this weakening, landfall is often the most destructive phase of a cyclone due to the combination of high winds, heavy rainfall, and storm surges, which can lead to flooding and significant damage.

Understanding landfall and its effects is critical for disaster preparedness, particularly in the context of countries like India that frequently experience cyclones along their coastlines.