India’s coastal states — Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala — are on high alert as Cyclone Montha is expected to make landfall today, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The cyclone has already brought strong winds and heavy rains to several regions, and NDRF and SDRF teams have been deployed to manage rescue operations and the aftermath of the storm.
The name ‘Montha’ was given by Thailand and is part of a list of cyclone names maintained by countries around the North Indian Ocean. This naming system is managed under the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), which ensures that every storm gets a unique and culturally meaningful name.
In Thai, Montha means a beautiful or fragrant flower, a blossom that holds cultural importance for its elegance and pleasant fragrance. The name replaced an older entry from Thailand’s previous list and will stay part of the rotation used for future cyclones in the region.
Experts say that such names are more than just identifiers. They reflect the region’s shared culture, linguistic diversity, and international cooperation in monitoring severe weather. Using meaningful, familiar names helps communities connect with weather alerts emotionally and practically, ensuring that warnings are quickly understood and remembered.
The WMO’s regional cyclone naming list includes names from countries like India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Maldives, Oman, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Yemen. Each country submits a list of names in advance, and they are used in sequence whenever a new cyclone forms in the North Indian Ocean.
Cyclones are complex natural events, and each one must be tracked and reported in real time. Giving them names helps make this process simpler, clearer, and more effective. Instead of referring to storms by long technical terms or numbers, a simple name like Montha makes it easier for both experts and the general public to understand weather updates.
According to the IMD and the WMO, naming cyclones helps in several key ways:
Simplifies communication: A short and familiar name is easier for people, especially in rural or coastal areas, to remember and recognise during warnings.
Prevents confusion: When multiple cyclones occur in different regions or oceans, distinct names help avoid mix-ups in reporting or relief coordination.
Aids media and awareness: The media can spread information faster using a short name rather than a code or number. This ensures that alerts reach communities in time.
Improves disaster preparedness: Recognisable names help authorities issue targeted alerts, conduct evacuation drives, and prepare shelters more efficiently.
Builds community awareness: People often relate better to named storms, treating them as real threats rather than abstract weather patterns.
This system has proven highly successful in helping countries prepare for and respond to cyclones quickly. For instance, when Cyclone Amphan or Cyclone Tauktae were named in earlier years, timely identification helped millions take safety precautions in advance.
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The process of naming cyclones follows strict guidelines set by the WMO and the regional weather agencies. The rules ensure that names are respectful, neutral, and easy to communicate. Here are the key principles:
The proposed name should not be linked to politics, religion, culture, or gender.
It should not offend any community or group of people.
The name must be short, simple, and easy to pronounce across different languages.
It should not sound harsh, violent, or negative in nature.
Each name should be a maximum of eight letters long and come with its pronunciation guide.
Once a cyclone name is used, it is retired permanently and will not be reused in the future.
For example, names like Titli, Bulbul, Fani, and Amphan have all been retired after being assigned to severe cyclones in the past. New names are constantly added to the list to replace them.
Naming cyclones combines science with human connection. It brings together different nations in the same region to work as a team against natural disasters. When people hear a familiar or meaningful name like Montha, it creates a sense of awareness and urgency that technical codes cannot achieve.
Experts point out that the goal is not only to track the storm but to help communities prepare, protect, and recover. Early alerts, when paired with easy-to-understand names, allow people to make quick decisions about evacuation, shelter, and safety.
The deployment of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams across coastal districts further strengthens this effort. These teams are equipped to handle flooding, power cuts, and rescue operations that usually follow landfall.
In the long term, the consistent naming of cyclones helps build a record of storm patterns and responses, making future preparedness stronger. It also reminds people of the importance of respecting nature and investing in early warning systems.
As Cyclone Montha moves closer to India’s coastline, its name — meaning a beautiful flower — stands in sharp contrast to the destruction it may bring. Yet, through systems like naming, forecasting, and coordinated disaster management, communities can stay safer and better informed.
The message from experts remains clear: knowing a cyclone by name is the first step to understanding its strength and staying prepared.
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