Theme T31 · Physical Geography & Hazards
Tropical cyclones, twisters & cyclone warnings
What UPSC asks
Questions repeat on cyclone formation and location (SST rise, Fujiwhara effect, Bay of Bengal vs Arabian Sea), twisters in the Gulf of Mexico, and IMD colour-coded warnings.
Prepare these
- Conditions for tropical cyclones: SST above 26–27°C, Coriolis, low wind shear
- Why Bay of Bengal, South China Sea, Gulf of Mexico
- Fujiwhara effect
- Tornadoes vs cyclones
- IMD warnings and cyclone naming
- Odisha's cyclone management success
Answer writing
- Use a diagram of a cyclone's structure; end with preparedness
Directive words in these PYQs: Why (2), Explain (1), Discuss (1).
Linked themes
Builds on: study these first
These come earlier in the roadmap. Questions in this theme use them.
Comes back later in
Later themes that take this one further.
On the map
Syllabus lines covered
- GS1-L10 — Salient features of world's physical geography.
- GS1-L12 — Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone etc., geographical features and their location- changes in critical geographical features (including water-bodies and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes.
All 5 PYQs, newest first
- GS1202610 marks · 150 wordsGS1-GEO-02-M2026-S01
What is the Fujiwhara effect? Explain its impact on the movement and intensity of tropical cyclones
- GS1202410 marks · 150 wordsGS1-GEO-02-M2024-Q04
What is sea surface temperature rise? How does it affect the formation of tropical cyclones?
- GS1202415 marks · 250 wordsGS1-GEO-02-M2024-Q16
What is a twister? Why are the majority of twisters observed in areas around the Gulf of Mexico?
- GS1202210 marks · 150 wordsGS1-GEO-02-M2022-Q05
- GS12014GS1-GEO-02-M2014-S02
Tropical cyclones are largely confined to South China Sea, Bay of Bengal and Gulf of Mexico. Why?