The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning that Cyclonic Storm Montha is projected to strengthen into a severe cyclonic storm by the morning of October 28. This powerful weather system is anticipated to bring intense rainfall across the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala.
Ever wondered why cyclones receive individual names? The World Meteorological Organization (WMO), a specialized agency of the United Nations, explains that with multiple cyclones potentially active across the globe for extended periods—sometimes a week or even longer—unique naming helps prevent confusion. This crucial practice significantly aids in disaster risk awareness, effective management, and mitigation efforts.
The enchanting name ‘Montha,’ which translates to ‘beautiful or fragrant flower,’ was thoughtfully suggested by Thailand, reflecting a touch of natural elegance even amidst a powerful weather event.
Globally, the responsibility for issuing advisories and naming tropical storms rests with six Regional Specialised Meteorological Centres (RSMCs) and five dedicated Tropical Cyclone Warning Centres. These expert bodies play a vital role in global weather monitoring.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) stands as one of these six RSMCs, providing crucial tropical cyclone and storm surge advisories to 13 member nations under the WMO/ESCAP Panel. This group includes countries like Bangladesh, India, Iran, Maldives, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.
These names are drawn from a comprehensive list, carefully compiled by alphabetically arranged member countries. The criteria ensure neutrality, avoiding any associations with gender, politics, religious beliefs, or cultural sensitivities. Each name is used sequentially, following a column-wise order.
Once a name is assigned to a cyclone, it is retired and never reused, ensuring that each major storm carries a distinct identifier throughout history.
Examples of previously named cyclones include Shakhti (contributed by Sri Lanka), Fengal (from Saudi Arabia), Dana (from Qatar), Asna (from Pakistan), and Remal (from Oman), among others.
Following the established naming protocol, future cyclones are slated to receive names such as Senyar (from the UAE), Ditwah (from Yemen), Arnab (from Bangladesh), and Murasu (from India).
Historically, cyclone naming conventions evolved significantly. While the mid-1900s saw storms primarily given feminine names, and later masculine names for those in the Southern Hemisphere, current practices emphasize neutrality. Names are carefully selected to avoid offending any population group and are limited to a maximum of eight letters, ensuring global respect and ease of communication.