Operation Sadbhav - Current Affairs UPSC

India launched Operation Sadbhav to provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) to Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam in the aftermath of Typhoon Yagi.

Typhoon Yagi formed as a tropical storm in the western Philippine Sea on September 1 and made landfall in the Philippines the next day.
It intensified over the unusually warm South China Sea, becoming a Category 5 typhoon with peak winds of 260 km/h by September 5. It is one of only four such (Category 5) storms recorded in the region.
It is the strongest tropical cyclone Asia has seen this year and the second most powerful storm in the world so far this year after Hurricane Beryl.
Hurricane Beryl, the earliest hurricane to reach category five intensity this year originated in the Atlantic Ocean
It was named Yagi by the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA).

The weakest tropical cyclones are referred to as tropical depressions. When a tropical depression strengthens and its maximum sustained winds reach 39 miles per hour (63 km/h), it becomes a tropical storm, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Storm systems with sustained wind speeds of 119 km/h or higher are classified as hurricanes, typhoons, or tropical cyclones, depending on their geographic location.
The intensity of a tropical cyclone is categorized by its sustained wind speed, using the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. It classifies storms into five categories, from Category 1 to Category 5.
Category 1 cyclones have winds ranging from 119 to 153 km/h, while Category 5 cyclones, the most powerful, have wind speeds of 252 km/h or greater.
Tropical cyclones that reach Category 3 or above are classified as major tropical cyclones due to their potential to cause severe damage.

First Responder: India has consistently been among the first nations to respond to humanitarian crises in the region, demonstrating its proactive approach to HADR.
Operation Sadbhav: This operation is part of India’s broader initiative to contribute to HADR efforts within the ASEAN region, showcasing India’s commitment to regional stability and support during emergencies.
Act East Policy: India’s involvement in HADR, including Operation Sadbhav, aligns with its longstanding ‘Act East Policy,’ which aims to strengthen ties and cooperation with Southeast Asian nations.

They are low-pressure systems that form over warm tropical waters. They typically form when the following conditions occur:
High sea temperatures of at least 27°C.
Converging winds near the ocean surface forcing air to rise and form storm clouds.
Winds that do not vary greatly with height – known as low wind shear. This allows the storm clouds to rise vertically to high levels.
Sufficient distance from the equator for a spin such as the Coriolis force to take effect.