
Interview: Dr. Mrutyunjay Mohapatra on Cyclones The Cyclone Ockhi, which struck the coast of India in November 2017, has generated a lot of curiosity. To know more about cyclones, Aapda Samvaad spoke with Dr. Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, who is the Head of IMD 's (India Meteorological Department) Cyclone Warning Division. Q. What is a cyclone? What is the difference between a tropical cyclone and an extra-tropical cyclone? Is a cyclone any different from a hurricane and a typhoon? A. A cyclone is an extreme weather phenomenon caused by disturbances around a low pressure area over water bodies. Winds spiral around the centre of this low pressure area in a snake-like coil and gather speed. These winds rotate anti-clockwise in the northern hemisphere and clockwise in the southern hemisphere. When it develops over tropical waters, it is known as a tropical cyclone. Similarly, when it is formed over extra-tropical waters, it is known as an extra-tropical cyc