Concept2 stories
IMD cyclone classification
In one line: The IMD grades low-pressure systems in the North Indian Ocean by their maximum sustained surface wind speed, from low-pressure area to super cyclonic storm.
The scale
- Low-pressure area: below 31 km/h
- Depression: 31 to 49 km/h
- Deep depression: 50 to 61 km/h
- Cyclonic storm: 62 to 88 km/h
- Severe cyclonic storm: 89 to 117 km/h
- Very severe and extremely severe cyclonic storms: between 118 and 221 km/h
- Super cyclonic storm: 222 km/h and above
Why it is in the news
Murasu was classified as a depression on 31 October 2026 and upgraded to a cyclonic storm on 1 November, when it was named. Officials warned of winds of 100 to 110 km/h, gusting to 120 km/h, at landfall, which is in the severe cyclonic storm range.
Where to go next
- Tropical cyclone formation
- Cyclone naming in the North Indian Ocean
IMD cyclone classification in the news
- Andhra Pradesh braces for Cyclone Murasu, its second cyclone in a week 2 November 2026
How the IMD grades storm intensity
- Cyclone Arnab crosses Andhra coast; El Niño helps explain its path and strength 29 October 2026
How India grades storms by wind speed
Previous-year questions on this
- 2026 · GS3 · 10 marks Discuss how the contradiction between 'rapid infrastructure development' and 'disaster-risk reduction' in ecologically-sensitive areas of India can be managed, with suitable examples.
- 2022 · GS1 · 10 marks Discuss the meaning of colour-coded weather warnings for cyclone prone areas given by India Meteorological Department.
- 2014 · GS1 · 10 marks Tropical cyclones are largely confined to the South China Sea, the Bay of Bengal and the Gulf of Mexico. Why?
- 2014 · GS1 · 10 marks Most of the unusual climatic happenings are explained as an outcome of the El-Nino effect. Do you agree?