Understanding Cyclone Naming and Monitoring in the Indian Ocean Basin
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) plays a crucial role in monitoring and issuing cyclone warnings for the region. As of October 22, 2024, there are no active cyclones in the Indian Ocean basin. However, staying informed is essential to prepare for any potential cyclones.
History of Cyclone Naming in the Indian Ocean
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for the Asia Pacific (ESCAP) have been naming cyclonic storms since the year 2000. The responsibility to name cyclones in the region lies with the India Meteorological Department (IMD), which also issues advisories to 12 other nations in the region.
In 2000, a group of nations assembled by the WMO/ESCAP decided to name cyclones. These participating countries included Bangladesh, India, the Maldives, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. In 2018, five more countries were added to the list: Iran, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. These countries submitted lists of 13 names, totaling 169 names. The process for selecting names is meticulous, considering the names provided by each nation.
Upcoming Cyclone Names
As of the last update, the next cyclone to be named after India is Gati, and the next cyclone to be named after Iran is Nivar. The next cyclone name for the region will be Nisarga, which was chosen by Bangladesh from its submitted list of 13 names.
Regional Cyclone Practice
The IMD follows a rigorous process to name cyclones, ensuring that the names come from a collaborative effort involving 13 basin countries. The current list covers 169 names, and as of April 28, 2020, the name Amphan, from Thailand's list, had already been used. The next cyclone in line, following Nisarga, will be named by India, specifically Gati.
Seasonal Cyclone Naming
The naming of tropical storms and hurricanes varies by region and follows specific rules. For the Atlantic and eastern Pacific regions, names are chosen every year before the hurricane season starts. Not all letters of the alphabet are used due to the difficulty in finding enough male or female names for certain letters like Q, U, X, Y, or Z. If a season sees more than 21 named storms, the next identified storm will use letters from the Greek alphabet.
As of the current hurricane season, the next named storm in the Atlantic basin will be Epsilon, and in the eastern Pacific basin, it will be Odalys.
Conclusion
Stay informed and prepared for any potential cyclones in the Indian Ocean basin by monitoring the work of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and regional organizations. Understanding the naming process and monitoring strategies can help in better preparedness and response.