Pragnya IAS · Map 49 · Climate & environment
India: wind & cyclone hazard zones map study
Read why the east coast, especially Odisha and Andhra, carries India’s cyclone exposure.
STUDY NOTE 1
East-coast dominance
The Bay of Bengal spawns more cyclones than the Arabian Sea, and its funnel shape plus shallow shelf drive devastating storm surges into Odisha, Andhra, Bengal and Bangladesh.
STUDY NOTE 2
Season and tracks
Pre-monsoon (May) and post-monsoon (October–November) peaks follow warm sea temperatures; most Bay storms recurve towards the northeast coast.
STUDY NOTE 3
Wind zoning beyond cyclones
The wind-hazard map also grades interior design wind speeds — coastal Gujarat and the Coromandel coast rate highest alongside the Bay rim.
Map reading task
Trace two historical cyclone tracks (e.g. 1999 Odisha, Amphan) and explain the surge amplification at the Bay’s head.
Map key · Reference locations
What does this india: wind & cyclone hazard zones lesson explain?
The Bay of Bengal spawns more cyclones than the Arabian Sea, and its funnel shape plus shallow shelf drive devastating storm surges into Odisha, Andhra, Bengal and Bangladesh.
UPSC map practice & Geography Optional connection
For UPSC Prelims, pair the location with its state, neighbouring relief and relevant geographic process. For GS I and Geography Optional Indian geography revision, use a simple labelled sketch to explain the relationship rather than replacing the answer with place names. These are Pragnya-authored exercises, not official UPSC previous-year questions.
References & map credits
Pragnya IAS explanations and practice are independently authored. The uploaded geography compilation informed topic selection only; its pages, illustrations, advertisements and personal watermarks are not republished. Licensed base data retain their original attribution. These lessons are educational references, not navigation, legal boundary or live hazard maps.