In 2025, on one hand, Cyclone Montha is active in the Bay of Bengal, while on the other hand, Hurricane Melissa is also active in the Atlantic Ocean. Both are powerful ocean storms, which are creating destructive conditions like strong winds, torrential rains and possible floods. When a storm of wind rises over an ocean and starts tearing the sky with its speed, the question arises that what is its strength? This is not just a matter of fear or guesswork, but its strength is determined scientifically.

Every storm has its own ‘class’, which tells whether it is going to bring light rain or submerge the entire city. Let us know how the strength of a storm is estimated.

How to measure the strength of a storm

Scientists around the world use two major scales to measure the strength of hurricanes, the first is the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, which is mainly applicable to the Americas, the Caribbean and the Atlantic Ocean. The second is the V-scale, which has been adopted in India, the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea areas.

What is the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale?

This scale ranges from 1 to 5 depending on the maximum sustained wind speed of any storm. In Category 1, the wind speed is around 119 to 153 kilometers per hour, it can cause minor damage. In Category 2, winds reach 154 to 177 km/hour. In this, roofs can blow away, trees can break. From Category 3 (178–208 km/h) the damage becomes serious. Category 4 (209–251 km/h) and Category 5 (above 252 km/h) are the levels where everything turns into disaster. This scale not only gives an idea of ​​the speed of the wind but also its impact i.e. possible property damage.

Varicel used in India

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) uses the varicella scale to measure the strength of storms. This scale is also divided into five categories – from V1 to V5. V1 represents the mildest storm, while V5 is the most dangerous. Storms in the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea are measured on this scale. The idea behind this is that the marine conditions and climate in these areas are different from those of the western oceans, so a different parameter was necessary to suit local conditions.

How are data collected

Scientists estimate the center of the storm and its wind speed with the help of satellite images, weather buoys and aerial surveys. The data received from radar shows the direction and speed at which the winds are moving. This data decides in which category the storm will be placed.

Also read: Delhi Cloud Seeding: Did Delhi government fail in getting cloud seeding done, know how much money was wasted?

Himachal Pradesh Heavy Rainfall Warning: In Himachal Pradesh, the Meteorological Department has issued a warning of heavy rain for Monday. Orange alert has been declared in 10 districts of the state, which includes all the districts except Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti. The department has expressed apprehension that due to continuous rains, there may be incidents of waterlogging, landslides, floods and falling trees in many districts. However, amid the warning, the capital Shimla has been sunny since morning.

Tomorrow, on July 8, there will be orange alert in Una, Hamirpur, Bilaspur, Chamba and Kangra districts while Yellow alert will be held in Kullu, Mandi, Shimla, Solan and Sirmaur. On July 9, western disturbances are likely to weaken and only yellow alerts have been issued in the entire state. In view of the weather patterns, the deputy commissioner of all the districts has appealed people to live in safe places and take extra precautions.

572 crore loss has been damaged
There have been 78 deaths in Himachal since monsoon so far. 121 people have been injured 37 people are still missing. There has been a loss of 572 crores. 243 roads are closed in the state. 241 transformers are stalled. Water supply of 278 drinking water schemes is disrupted. 10253 animal birds have swept away, including ten thousand poultry birds alone in Una district. 163 houses have been completely destroyed, 178 houses have been damaged, 346 gaushalas are booked.

37 people are still missing
The 78 people died during the monsoon season (20 June to 6 July). These include landslide of 1, flash flood of 8, cloudburst of 14, drowning of 8, 1 fire of 1, 2 snake bite of 2, power current of 4, falling from a height of 8 and 4 deaths. Apart from this, 28 people have lost their lives in road accidents while 37 people are still missing.

Air Force is engaged in delivering ration to disaster -prone areas
Mandi district has been the most affected, where the bodies of 14 people have been recovered so far in the tragedy which came on the night of 30 June and 28 people are still missing. The Indian Army, SDRF and administration are engaged in relief and rescue operations. 225 houses in Mandi, 243 cowsheds have been completely destroyed.

Army personnel and rescue teams are making every effort in Mandi so that help can be provided to the affected families. The helicopter of the Air Force is engaged in delivering ration to the disaster -prone areas.