Cyclone Senyar, the first November cyclone to hit Indonesia, made landfall on Sumatra on November 26, 2025. Formed unusually in the Malacca Strait, it rapidly intensified to 70–90 km/h, highlighting the growing impact of climate change and warming seas on rare regional cyclogenesis.
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Picture Courtesy: DOWNTOEARTH
Cyclone Senyar is the first recorded November cyclone in Sumatra, Indonesia.
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Origin: Originating from a low-pressure area in the Strait of Malacca, this is a rare event because the region is near the equator where the Coriolis force for cyclonic rotation is weak.
Naming: The name 'Senyar' was proposed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It translates to "lion," symbolizing strength and courage.
Landfall & Path: It made its first landfall in northern Sumatra, Indonesia, before moving back over the Strait of Malacca and making a second landfall in Peninsular Malaysia.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) is one of the six Regional Specialised Meteorological Centres (RSMCs) in the world.
As an RSMC, IMD is responsible for forecasting, naming, and sharing warnings for tropical cyclones in the North Indian Ocean, which includes the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea.
The naming convention is managed by the C/ UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) Panel on Tropical Cyclones, which consists of 13 member countries.
Member Countries and Naming Process
The 13 member countries provide a list of names, which are assigned sequentially. The members are: Bangladesh, India, Iran, Maldives, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, UAE, and Yemen.
Source: DOWNTOEARTH
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PRACTICE QUESTION Q. Cyclone Senyar was considered a highly unusual meteorological event primarily because: A) It was the strongest cyclone ever recorded in the North Indian Ocean. B) It formed very close to the equator where the Coriolis force is too weak to initiate cyclonic rotation. C) It was the first cyclone to be tracked using artificial intelligence. D) It moved from east to west, contrary to the usual pattern in the region. Answer: B Explanation: Cyclone Senyar, which occurred in November 2025, was considered a highly unusual meteorological event because it intensified into a cyclonic storm in the Strait of Malacca, a region less than 5 degrees latitude from the equator. |
Cyclone Senyar was highly unusual for two main reasons: its location and its timing. It formed in the Strait of Malacca, a region very close to the equator where the Coriolis force is typically too weak to support cyclone formation. It was the first-ever recorded cyclone to form in this region in November.
The 'Odisha Model' refers to the proactive and community-centric approach to disaster management adopted by the state of Odisha after the 1999 Super Cyclone. It is globally recognized for its success and is built on pillars like a robust institutional framework (OSDMA), last-mile early warning systems, a network of multipurpose cyclone shelters, and training of community volunteers, all aimed at a "Zero Casualty" target.
The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015-2030) is a global agreement to reduce disaster risk and losses. India is a signatory, and the framework is highly relevant as it guides the country's strategy to shift from merely managing disasters to building long-term resilience by integrating disaster risk reduction (DRR) with climate change adaptation and sustainable development goals.
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