Cyclone Freddy

It originated off the northern coast of Australia in 2022.

Characteristics:

Longevity and Travels of Cyclone Freddy:

●Cyclone Freddy set a record as the longest-lived tropical cyclone on record, maintaining its strength for an unprecedented 36 days.

●It traveled over 12,785 kilometers from the coast of northwestern Australia to southern Africa during its lifetime, demonstrating unusual resilience and longevity.

Intensification:

●The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) confirmed that it also set records for rapid intensification, undergoing this process seven times during its lifespan, which posed challenges for weather forecasting models.

Energy Assimilation:

●Freddy accumulated an exceptional amount of energy, comparable to an entire North Atlantic hurricane season, due to warm sea surface temperatures in the southern Indian Ocean.

●This energy fueled its longevity and intensity, contributing to its unprecedented impacts across the region.

Impacts:

● The cyclone triggered massive internal displacement, affecting approximately 1.4 million people across six countries in Africa.

●Malawi experienced the highest displacement with 659,000 people affected, and significant loss of life, with 12,000 deaths or missing individuals reported.

●The cyclone caused widespread devastation, totaling $481 million in damages along its path, with significant impacts on infrastructure, agriculture, and human lives.

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q) Cyclone Freddy, which impacted Southeast Africa in early 2023, set a record for the longest-lived tropical cyclone. Which of the following statements regarding Cyclone Freddy is correct?

A. It made landfall in Madagascar and Mozambique simultaneously.

B. Freddy formed in the southern Indian Ocean and dissipated over the Arabian Sea.

C. The cyclone's longevity was primarily due to interactions with multiple land masses.

D. Freddy was the most intense tropical cyclone ever recorded in terms of wind speed.

Options:

A. Only 1
B. Only 2 and 3
C. Only 3 and 4
D. Only 1 and 3

Answer: D. Only 1 and 3

Explanation:

Statement 1 is incorrect:

●Cyclone Freddy made landfall primarily in Madagascar and several southeast African nations including Mozambique, but not simultaneously in both countries.

Statement 2  is incorrect:

●Freddy formed off the northwestern coast of Australia and dissipated over Malawi in southeast Africa, not over the Arabian Sea.

Statement 3 is correct:

●Cyclone Freddy's unusually long lifespan of 36 days was attributed to its ability to survive multiple land interactions between Madagascar and the African mainland, which contributed to its sustained strength and impact.

Statement 4 is incorrect:

●While Freddy was a long-lived cyclone, it did not hold the record for the most intense tropical cyclone in terms of wind speed. Intensity is measured by wind speed, and Cyclone Freddy's record-breaking aspect was its longevity, not wind speed.