In news: The United Nation’s aviation arm, International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), has sought information from Pakistan on the issue of repeated denial of of giving overflying clearance to Air India One flying the Indian President or Prime Minister between Delhi and the west India has officially approached ICAO against Pakistan recent decision to deny airspace to PM’s aircraft to visit Saudi Arabia. Aircraft ‘khajuraho” (AI Boeing 747) took the longer route to avoid Cyclone Kyarr(1st cyclonic storm in Arabian sea in last 12 years).
About ICAO:
- The International Civil Aviation Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations.
- It changes the principles and techniques of international air navigation and fosters the planning and development of international air transport to ensure safe and orderly growth.
- Its headquarters is located in the Quartier International of Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
- The ICAO Council adopts standards and recommended practices concerning air navigation, its infrastructure, flight inspection, prevention of unlawful interference, and facilitation of border-crossing procedures for international civil aviation.
- Over flight clearances are sought, and granted by other countries as per prescribed ICAO guidelines
Do you know, why there are fewer cyclones in Arabian sea?
- Arabian Sea is comparatively cooler than Bay of Bengal due to presence of cold ocean currents.
- Most cyclones occur in south west pacific region and it has its impact on Bay of Bengal while Arabian Sea has little impact.
- West Arabian Sea is almost landlocked and there is no presence of cyclone in south Atlantic.
- Cyclones are fed by availability of water vapor in the atmosphere. The amount of water vapor in the atmosphere depends on the difference in temperature between the water surface and the air.
- Warm sea surface temperature is required for the formation of cyclones:The Bay of Bengal has a lot of fresh water due to the major rivers in the region. Since freshwater is lighter than the salty waters in the Bay, it forms a thin layer on the surface. This thin layer of fresh water is heated more easily than the extremely salty waters in the Arabian Sea.
- In the Arabian Peninsula there is a large scale downward wind movement over the Arabian sea and during most of the year the convection is very less and hence there's very little chance of cyclone formation.
