The Cyclones

As per the option, the correct answer would be options (d).

Sudden fall in the barometric reading is an indication of storm. As the barometer measures changes in air pressure, therefore at the onset of storm, low pressure occurs, which in turn would lead to rapid or violent movement of air from the high pressure areas. Because of such wind related movement, barometer would show a sudden fall in the initial phase.

• Cyclone Aila:
  Made landfall in the coastal areas of Bangladesh and West Bengal, India, in May 2009, causing significant damage and flooding.
• Cyclone Thane:
  Made landfall in Tamil Nadu, India, in December 2011, causing heavy rains, strong winds, and storm surges.
• Cyclone Nilam:
  Impacted the states of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh in India in October 2012, resulting in widespread damage and casualties.
• Cyclone Nargis:
  Made landfall in Myanmar in May 2008, devastating the Ayeyarwady Delta region with high winds, storm surges, and heavy rainfall, leading to widespread destruction and loss of life.

• Sea Surface Temperatures:
  While the tropics are generally warm, the eastern parts of the South Atlantic and South Eastern Pacific are cooler due to the presence of cold currents like the Benguela Current in the South Atlantic and the Peru Current in the eastern South Pacific. These currents carry cold water equatorward from higher latitudes, making the sea surface temperatures less conducive to cyclone formation.
• Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ):
  The ITCZ is a belt of low pressure where the trade winds of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres converge, often leading to areas of frequent thunderstorms and tropical cyclone formation. However, the ITCZ rarely occurs over the South Atlantic and South Eastern Pacific, further reducing the likelihood of cyclone development.
• Coriolis Effect:
  The Coriolis effect, which deflects moving objects (including air) due to the Earth's rotation, is also a factor in cyclone formation. While the Coriolis effect is present in these regions, the combination of cooler sea surface temperatures and the infrequent ITCZ makes cyclone formation less likely.

Warmer temperatures cause glaciers and ice sheets to melt, contributing to rising sea levels. Melting glaciers and ice sheets, along with the thermal expansion of seawater as it warms, lead to rising sea levels. Climate change disrupts rainfall patterns, leading to more frequent and intense droughts in some regions and more severe flooding in others. Warmer ocean temperatures and increased atmospheric moisture can fuel more powerful storms, including hurricanes and typhoons.

Climate change alters rainfall patterns, leading to more unpredictable and extreme weather events. Rising sea levels and more frequent storms can lead to increased coastal erosion, threatening coastal communities and ecosystems. Climate change can disrupt ecosystems, leading to shifts in species distribution, habitat loss, and increased extinction risks.

Extreme weather events, heatwaves, and changes in disease vectors can pose significant threats to human health. As the ocean absorbs more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, it becomes more acidic, harming marine life and ecosystems. Changes in seawater chemistry, including ocean acidification, can lead to less oxygen remaining available in the ocean, impacting marine life.

So, the correct answer is option (b).