Why in news?
Cyclone Shakti was a severe cyclonic storm that formed over the Arabian Sea.
It was a post-monsoon cyclone with wind speeds reaching 130-145 km/h initially, classified as a Severe Cyclonic Storm by the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
 
Key highlights

• The cyclone name "Shakti" was proposed by Sri Lanka as part of the WMO/ESCAP Panel on Tropical Cyclones naming convention.
• WMO/ESCAP Panel consisting of 13 member countries around the North Indian Ocean, maintains a pre-set list of names contributed by these countries.

Formation:

• Cyclone Shakti formed in early October 2025 over the east-central Arabian Sea.
• Favorable sea surface temperature above 27°C provided the latent heat energy necessary for cyclone formation.
• Rising moist air created a low-pressure zone, while the Coriolis effect induced cyclonic rotation.
• A strong upper tropospheric outflow supported the structure of the cyclone.
• Low vertical wind shear and abundant moisture in the Arabian Sea allowed the system to intensify.
• The cyclone developed through stages: Low Pressure Area → Depression → Deep Depression → Cyclonic Storm (named Shakti) → Severe Cyclonic Storm with wind speeds around 120-145 km/h.

Classification of cyclones in India as per the India Meteorological Department (IMD) 

IMD Category	Wind Speed (km/h)	Example
Cyclonic Storm	62 - 88	Cyclone Nilam (2012)
Severe Cyclonic Storm	89 - 117	Cyclone Ockhi (2017)
Very Severe Cyclonic Storm	118 - 165	Cyclone Hudhud (2014)
Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm	166 - 220	Cyclone Tauktae (2021)
Super Cyclone	> 221	Odisha Super Cyclone (1999)

 
 













Government Initiatives for Cyclone Management
India has established multiple institutions and policies to improve disaster preparedness and cyclone resilience across coastal states.
 

• National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (NCRMP): Strengthens early warning, evacuation, and infrastructure along the coast.
• Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM): Promotes sustainable coastal development and environmental conservation.
• Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre (RSMC), IMD: Monitors cyclones, issues forecasts, and provides scientific data.
• Coastal Regulation Zones (CRZ): Established under the Environment Protection Act, 1986. Regulates developmental activities in ecologically sensitive coastal zones.

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