As if the ongoing pandemic was not enough, when we were already heartbroken and distressed by the plights of our migrant workers, we got earthquakes, Amphan cyclones and the deadly locust attacks that are destroying the farms across the country.
Where the country was already witnessing the painful migration of the day laborers, their sufferings and deaths due to mismanagements and lack of facilities even in the shramik trains, some of which took twice as long to reach their designated destination, we have the Amphan cyclone and locust attack to join the party now. Twenty twenty (2020) is the year of tragedies and disasters and definitely a year to forget.
The Amphan catastrophe
The Amphan cyclone is the storm that caused havoc in some parts of India (West Bengal and Orissa) and major parts of Bangladesh. The number of casualties is nearly hundred; the wind blowing at a speed of 185 km/h ravaged the trees and destroyed the houses.
It is considered to be the first super cyclone to form in the Bay of Bengal since 1999. Kolkata, capital of West Bengal, also known as the city of joy, is devastated by the Amphan cyclone. Thousands of trees were uprooted, electricity and telephone lines are closed, and the roads are flooded.
The effect has been so severe that the C.M. of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee has called it deadlier than the ongoing pandemic of covid-19, the administration and the people there are in double trouble as they are facing two disasters at the same time.
Amphan cyclone - naming of cyclones, what are cyclones, its causes, and impact of Amphan.
It is pronounced as UM-PUN and classed as "Super Cyclonic storm". Six of the Regional Specialised Meteorological Centres (RSMC) and five of the Regional Tropical Cyclone Warning Centres (TCWC) in the whole world are authorised for issuing advisories and naming of tropical cyclones.
Cyclones are low pressure systems that form over warm tropical waters, with storm force winds near the centre. The winds can expand to a very long distance. It often produces torrential rains and flooding, causing major loss of life and property damage.
Amphan is the first tropical cyclone of the 2020 North Indian Ocean cyclone season, which turned out to be a super cyclone. It made landfall near Bakhali in West Bengal on 20 May, pounding the region with strong winds and heavy rains.
West Bengal the epicenter of cyclone's landfall witnessed the most extensive vandalization from Amphan. According to the State government estimation the super cyclone caused at least Rs 1 trillion in damage affecting almost the seventy percent population of the state.
Let's hope and pray that Bengal recovers from the devastation of this storm as soon as possible and get back to the new covid-19 normal.
Locust attack in India
Locust, a tiny insect, coming in large groups or swarm (a single swarm can contain more than 50 millions of adult locusts ), after destroying farms in some East African countries and Iran, have reached India via Pakistan to trouble the already troubled farmers of our country.
The invasion of these desert locusts has hit both India and Pakistan in the midst of the pandemic.
In India, these Locusts first arrived in Rajasthan,
Then later on in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Maharashtra these are the worst affected states of the country.
India is currently battling the worst desert locust attack in three decades; these bugs have attacked the farms and destroyed the crops of the above mentioned five states. While, the locusts' rampage has also hit some districts of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu the centre has issued warning to some other remaining states as well.
What are Locusts, their historical references, and solutions?
Locust is an insect which is quite similar to grasshopper and cricket. In fact, all these three insects belong to the same family. Locusts are generally found in desert regions.
The unique thing about locust is that it has two forms, which is not seen in grasshoppers and cricket. When it is alone it is in solitary phase, but when it is in groups and the environmental conditions are favourable i.e. wet soil, recent rains and plantation, then they transform completely and the phase is called gregarious phase.
The transformation from one form to another also changes their behavior, habits, and appearances. This transformation to the gregarious phase causes all the problems, the eating habits are so much changed that a single locust can consume food equal to its weight in a day, Imagine what a swarm containing millions of locusts can eat, that is why, complete destruction follows wherever they go.
These locust attacks have been happening for thousands of years throughout the human history. Even ancient Egyptians have drawn locusts on their tombs, even the locust plagues are mentioned in some of the holy religious books.
Meanwhile, the farmers are using drums and DJ bands to tackle the locust attack as strong sound is considered effective in driving locusts, and the officials are using drones to spray the pesticides, still a much concrete solution is required for the problem.
Conclusion
Pandemic, cyclones, and this annoying Locust attack, this year has become a great "end of the world" kind of script for Hollywood movies. Still, half the year is remaining just hope and pray for the best.
Where the country was already witnessing the painful migration of the day laborers, their sufferings and deaths due to mismanagements and lack of facilities even in the shramik trains, some of which took twice as long to reach their designated destination, we have the Amphan cyclone and locust attack to join the party now. Twenty twenty (2020) is the year of tragedies and disasters and definitely a year to forget.
The Amphan catastrophe
 |
| Super cyclone Amphan 2020 |
The Amphan cyclone is the storm that caused havoc in some parts of India (West Bengal and Orissa) and major parts of Bangladesh. The number of casualties is nearly hundred; the wind blowing at a speed of 185 km/h ravaged the trees and destroyed the houses.
It is considered to be the first super cyclone to form in the Bay of Bengal since 1999. Kolkata, capital of West Bengal, also known as the city of joy, is devastated by the Amphan cyclone. Thousands of trees were uprooted, electricity and telephone lines are closed, and the roads are flooded.
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| Amphan cyclone's aftermath |
The effect has been so severe that the C.M. of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee has called it deadlier than the ongoing pandemic of covid-19, the administration and the people there are in double trouble as they are facing two disasters at the same time.
Amphan cyclone - naming of cyclones, what are cyclones, its causes, and impact of Amphan.
 |
| Amphan cyclone |
It is pronounced as UM-PUN and classed as "Super Cyclonic storm". Six of the Regional Specialised Meteorological Centres (RSMC) and five of the Regional Tropical Cyclone Warning Centres (TCWC) in the whole world are authorised for issuing advisories and naming of tropical cyclones.
Cyclones are low pressure systems that form over warm tropical waters, with storm force winds near the centre. The winds can expand to a very long distance. It often produces torrential rains and flooding, causing major loss of life and property damage.
Amphan is the first tropical cyclone of the 2020 North Indian Ocean cyclone season, which turned out to be a super cyclone. It made landfall near Bakhali in West Bengal on 20 May, pounding the region with strong winds and heavy rains.
West Bengal the epicenter of cyclone's landfall witnessed the most extensive vandalization from Amphan. According to the State government estimation the super cyclone caused at least Rs 1 trillion in damage affecting almost the seventy percent population of the state.
Let's hope and pray that Bengal recovers from the devastation of this storm as soon as possible and get back to the new covid-19 normal.
Locust attack in India
 |
| Locust swarm attack |
Locust, a tiny insect, coming in large groups or swarm (a single swarm can contain more than 50 millions of adult locusts ), after destroying farms in some East African countries and Iran, have reached India via Pakistan to trouble the already troubled farmers of our country.
The invasion of these desert locusts has hit both India and Pakistan in the midst of the pandemic.
In India, these Locusts first arrived in Rajasthan,
Then later on in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Maharashtra these are the worst affected states of the country.
India is currently battling the worst desert locust attack in three decades; these bugs have attacked the farms and destroyed the crops of the above mentioned five states. While, the locusts' rampage has also hit some districts of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu the centre has issued warning to some other remaining states as well.
What are Locusts, their historical references, and solutions?
 |
| Locust |
Locust is an insect which is quite similar to grasshopper and cricket. In fact, all these three insects belong to the same family. Locusts are generally found in desert regions.
The unique thing about locust is that it has two forms, which is not seen in grasshoppers and cricket. When it is alone it is in solitary phase, but when it is in groups and the environmental conditions are favourable i.e. wet soil, recent rains and plantation, then they transform completely and the phase is called gregarious phase.
The transformation from one form to another also changes their behavior, habits, and appearances. This transformation to the gregarious phase causes all the problems, the eating habits are so much changed that a single locust can consume food equal to its weight in a day, Imagine what a swarm containing millions of locusts can eat, that is why, complete destruction follows wherever they go.
These locust attacks have been happening for thousands of years throughout the human history. Even ancient Egyptians have drawn locusts on their tombs, even the locust plagues are mentioned in some of the holy religious books.
Meanwhile, the farmers are using drums and DJ bands to tackle the locust attack as strong sound is considered effective in driving locusts, and the officials are using drones to spray the pesticides, still a much concrete solution is required for the problem.
Conclusion
Pandemic, cyclones, and this annoying Locust attack, this year has become a great "end of the world" kind of script for Hollywood movies. Still, half the year is remaining just hope and pray for the best.
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