Very Severe Cyclonic Storm MADI over Bay of Bengal, 6–13 December 2013: A Diagnostic Study

A tropical cyclone (TC) is a warm core large scale low pressure system with maximum sustained wind (MSW) of 34 knots or more around the centre which rotates in anti-clockwise direction in Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in Southern Hemisphere. The TCs are most destructive due to the associated storm surge, heavy rain and wind. Indian coast is more prone to TC though the proneness varies from districts to districts (Mohapatra et al., Nat Hazard 63:1601–1620, 2012a; Tropical Cycl Res Rev 1:331–339, 2012b; Mohapatra, J Earth Syst Sci 124:515–526; J Earth Syst Sci 124:861–874, 2015a, J Earth Syst Sci 124:861–874, 2015b). Though there have been significant improvement in the track and intensity forecast of the TCs over North Indian Ocean (NIO) (Mohapatra et al., Nat Hazard 63:1601–1620, 2012a, Trop Cycl Res Rev 01:331–339, 2012b, J Earth Syst Sci 122:589–601, 2013a, Mausam 64:1–12, 2013b, Nat Hazard 68:433–451, 2013c; Mohapatra, J Earth Syst Sci 124:515–526, J Earth Syst Sci 124:861–874, 2015a, J Earth Syst Sci 124:861–874, 2015b), still there are challenges in the unique cases like rapid track change, rapid intensity change etc. Hence there is need for further understanding of physical processes associated with such unique cases of TCs developing over the NIO.