Response of the Bay of Bengal to Gopalpur and Paradip super cyclones during 15-31 October 1999

Response of the Bay of Bengal to two tropical cyclones, i.e. Gopalpur and P aradip super cyclones, during 15-31 October 1999, is studied using a statio nary mooring buoy for marine meteorological observations. The National Inst itute of Ocean Technology (NIOT, Chennai) has deployed this buoy at 13 degr eesN, 87 degreesE, by fixing various meteorological instruments and sensors to acquire sea surface temperature (SST), air temperature (Ta), wind speed (Ws), wind direction (Wd) and ocean currents (Cs) using remote sensing tec hnique through (NSAT-1D) satellite at an interval of 3 h. The results of th e analysis of the above parameters have shown clearly a response (SST diffe rence between before and after formation) of about 0.7 degreesC for the Gop alpur cyclone and 0.9 degreesC for the Paradip cyclone. Ta has shown rapid variations following the rapid movement of cloud decks across the buoy duri ng the cyclone period. The observed changes in the wind speed and direction are in concurrence with analysed mean sea level pressure oscillations. Fin ally, this study recommends more buoy-based marine meteorological observati ons over this region and the neighbouring areas, where the tropical cyclone s generally occur and subsequently hit the Coromandal coast.