1.5.7 Naming of Cyclones

A number of cyclones can be formed at the same time in the world. The cyclones formed in The Indian Ocean are called ‘Tropical Cyclone’. They are called ‘Hurricanes’ in The Atlantic Ocean, ‘Typhoons’ in The Pacific Ocean and ‘Willy Willy’ in Australia. 6 Regional Specialised Meteorological Centres (RMSCs) and 5 Tropical Cyclone Warning centres (TCWCs) are functioning in the world to observation and nomenclature of cyclones. The RMSC centre for 13 countries in Asia is in India. It is controlled by the IMD. For disaster management activities, these cyclones have to be regularly observed and their paths need to be tracked. There are chances of multiple cyclones forming at the same time. It is because of this the nomenclature system was introduce to identify different cyclones. From 2004 onwards naming system is followed for cyclones formed in the Indian Ocean. The 8 members of RMSC at that time nominated 8 names each and made a list of 64 names in advance and naming of cyclones is done in alphabetical order of the country names. 63 names have already been assigned to different cyclones. Cyclone ‘Pawan’ which formed in 2019 was the last cyclone formed in the Indian Ocean. ‘Nisarga’ will be the name of the next cyclone to be formed in 2020 in the Indian Ocean or Bay of Bengal.

Since the existing list of 2004 is about to get exhausted, RMSC has published a new list on April 28th 2020 comprising of 169 names; 13 names suggested by 13 countries each. The above said list is available in the link.

https://mausam.imd.gov.in/backend/assets/press_release_pdf/Press_Release_Names_of_Tropical_Cyclones_28042020.pdf.

According to the list the names of the next 13 cyclones will be in the order (Country which suggested the name given in bracket). Gati (India), Nivar (Iran), Burevi (Maldives), Tauktae (Myanmar), Yaas (Oman), Gulab (Pakistan), Shaheen (Qatar), Jawad (Saudi Arabia), Asani (Sri Lanka), Sitrang (Thailand), Mandous (UAE), Mocha (Yemen).