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Bangladesh is an intrinsic calamity-prone zone. The geographical setting of the Bay of Bengal makes it a hotspot for tropical cyclones (TC) associated with storm surges. Every year the coastal region of Bangladesh is hit by tropical cyclones. The usual occurrence of cyclones has made the development and study of storm surges of pertinent importance to Bangladesh. The funnel-like shape of the Bay of Bengal makes it more perilous during a cyclone. Due to its unique shape, seawater is pushed deep towards the coast and exacerbates a higher deluge than a straight coastline. This allows maximum surge level to form in the Meghna estuary generally. In the future, the intensity and magnitude of tropical cyclones will proliferate along with their surge level. This research takes an aim to simulate storm surge level generated by tropical cyclone Sidr (2007) and semblance of Sidr type cyclones with a variation of its strength. The study was carried out using an MRI storm surge model. The variability of strength was achieved by changing two i.e. estimated central pressure and radius of maximum wind (RMW) separately. The estimated central pressure of the same corresponding coordinates was decreased by 5%, 10%, and also increased by 5%. The radius of maximum wind was also decreased and increased by 10% of the same corresponding coordinates. The model was run using observed track data of Sidr acquired from IBTrACS through support from the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD). The maximum simulated surge height for cyclone Sidr was found 3 meters. For variations of strength for cyclone Sidr i.e. 5% decrease, 10% decrease, and 5% increase of pressure, the model generated a maximum 5m, 8m, and only 0.9m surge respectively. For 10% decrease and increase of radius of maximum wind, the model generated maximum 3m and 2.5m surge respectively.

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This page is a summary of: Simulation of Sidr-like cyclone using MRI storm surge model with various initial strength: A Bay of Bengal context, January 2023, American Institute of Physics,
DOI: 10.1063/5.0129836.
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