In recent years, Tamil Nadu has witnessed an alarming trend of slow-moving cyclones and weather systems, contributing to severe rainfall and devastating flooding. While Cyclone Fengal recently brought historic downpours to districts like Villupuram and Krishnagiri, experts have warned that this pattern may not be an isolated incident. Similar slow-moving storms, including Cyclones Mandous, Thane, and Ockhi, have wreaked havoc on Tamil Nadu’s coastal regions, leading to flooding, loss of life, and widespread damage. These slow-moving systems, typically travelling at speeds of 7-8 km/h, contrast sharply with faster-moving systems that maintain speeds of 16-17 km/h.
Meteorologists have identified several contributing factors to this slow-moving phenomenon, including weak steering winds, climate change-induced high sea surface temperatures, and land interactions during landfall. Such systems tend to gather more moisture, dumping it in concentrated bursts, which exacerbates the flooding risks. During their slower travel, these storms are also prone to deviating from their forecasted paths, making their impact even more unpredictable and challenging to manage.
Cyclone Fengal’s impact was particularly severe, with Mailam in Villupuram recording an astonishing 51 cm of rain within 24 hours, and other areas like Uthangarai and Tiruvannamalai not far behind. These extreme rainfall totals are not uncommon when cyclonic systems slow down or get trapped by atmospheric pressure systems, as seen with Cyclone Nivar and other low-pressure systems over the past decade. The slow movement of these storms has prompted meteorologists to issue more targeted warnings, but the unpredictability of their paths remains a major hurdle for authorities.
From a sustainability perspective, the increasing occurrence of such storms poses significant challenges to Tamil Nadu’s infrastructure and disaster management systems. With the frequency of such weather events on the rise, there is a pressing need for improved flood control measures, better urban planning, and more efficient stormwater drainage systems in flood-prone areas. Additionally, the rising sea surface temperatures, influenced by climate change, are exacerbating the intensity of cyclones, indicating that these extreme weather events may become more frequent and severe in the future. Building resilient infrastructure and adopting climate-sensitive urban policies are crucial steps in mitigating the impacts of slow-moving storms in the region.
In conclusion, the recent spate of slow-moving cyclones in Tamil Nadu underscores the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to address both the immediate and long-term impacts of such weather systems. As climate change continues to shape global weather patterns, Tamil Nadu’s response to these challenges must evolve, with an emphasis on sustainable solutions that prioritise public safety, environmental resilience, and robust disaster preparedness.