Why Cyclone Names Matter: Understanding the System in the North Indian Ocean

Context

• Cyclones are powerful storms that can bring devastation. While the technical details are important, there’s another interesting aspect – their names.
• This article dives into why cyclones have names and how the naming system works in the North Indian Ocean.

How Cyclones Form

• Cyclones, those swirling giants of wind and rain, are born from a fascinating interplay of factors over warm ocean waters. Here’s a closer look at the key ingredients and the science behind their formation:
  • Warm Ocean :Waters: The Fuel Tank
    • Imagine a giant pot of warm water on the stove. As you heat it, the water molecules get energized and start to move faster. Similarly, warm ocean surfaces act as the fuel tank for cyclones. Sunlight heats the water, causing a large amount of water vapor (invisible water gas) to evaporate and rise into the atmosphere. This warm, moist air is less dense than the cooler air above, so it naturally begins to ascend.
  •  Low Pressure System: Nature Abhors a Vacuum
    • As the warm, moist air rises, it cools down and condenses into water droplets, forming visible clouds. This rising air creates a low-pressure zone at the ocean’s surface, like a dent in the atmosphere. To fill this void, cooler, denser air from the surrounding areas rushes in towards the low-pressure center. This creates a circulation pattern, the initial spin of the cyclone.
  • The Coriolis Effect: Earth Gives it a Twist
    • Here’s where things get interesting. Earth’s rotation adds a twist to this circulation pattern. In the Northern Hemisphere, due to the Coriolis effect, winds tend to curve right (clockwise). This curving motion deflects the incoming air, causing it to rotate instead of simply flowing straight into the low-pressure center. This deflection and rotation are what give the cyclone its characteristic spiral shape.
  • Upward Spiral: A Positive Feedback Loop
    • As the low-pressure zone intensifies and the cyclone starts rotating, the stage is set for a positive feedback loop. The rising warm air continues to cool and condense, releasing energy in the form of latent heat. This latent heat further warms the surrounding air, making it even more buoyant and fueling its ascent. This upward movement strengthens the low-pressure system, leading to even faster winds and heavier rainfall.
  • Minimal Wind Shear: A Helping Hand
    • Wind shear refers to the change in wind speed or direction with height. For a cyclone to develop and intensify, minimal wind shear is ideal. Strong wind shear can disrupt the vertical movement of warm, moist air, hindering the cyclone’s growth. Conversely, weak wind shear allows the rising air and the overall circulation to remain concentrated, promoting the cyclone’s development.

From Technical Terms to Memorable Names: The Shift

• Gone are the days of confusing technical terms or numbers for cyclones.
• Now, they have names like Remal, Gati, and Asani. This shift makes it easier for everyone to:
  • Remember: Short, catchy names are easier to recall than complex terms, fostering public awareness.
  • Communicate: Scientists can clearly discuss storm paths and impacts using these unique names.
  • Take Action: Disaster management teams can issue targeted warnings and evacuation plans for specific areas affected by the cyclone.

Behind the Names: International Cooperation

• The naming system is a result of collaboration between countries bordering the North Indian Ocean.
• The World Meteorological Organization, a UN agency, along with ESCAP, established the Panel on Tropical Cyclones in 1972.
• Initially with eight members (including India, Bangladesh, and Oman), the PTC took a crucial step in 2000: assigning names to cyclones in the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea.
• Fast forward to 2020, the PTC, now with 13 member countries, boasts a list of 169 unique cyclone names. Each nation contributed 13 suggestions, ensuring a diverse and culturally appropriate list.

The Naming Guidelines: Choosing the Right Names

• These names aren’t random! They follow specific guidelines:
  • Neutral: No references to political figures, religious beliefs, or anything offensive.
  • Memorable: Short and easy to pronounce for clear communication during emergencies.
  • Unique: No repetition within the list or with names used in other regions to avoid confusion.

Why Remal Hit Bengal Though Oman Submitted It?

• The PTC operates across the entire North Indian Ocean, encompassing both the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea.
• Oman, bordering the Arabian Sea, submitted Remal (meaning “sand” in Arabic). When the cyclone formed in the Bay of Bengal, Remal was simply the next name in the rotation.

Benefits Beyond Recognition: The Power of Cyclone Names

• Naming cyclones goes beyond just making them easier to remember. It has several advantages:
  • Public Awareness: Memorable names raise public awareness about it and encourage preparedness.
  • Scientific Collaboration: Distinct names simplify communication among scientists tracking it’s path.
  • Accurate Media Reporting: Clear names allow media outlets

People also ask

Q1: Why do cyclones have names?
Ans: Names make cyclones easier to remember than complex technical terms. This fosters public awareness, clearer communication among scientists and disaster management teams, and allows for targeted warnings during emergencies.

Q2: Who decides the names?
Ans : The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the Panel on Tropical Cyclones (PTC) oversee the naming system. The PTC is an international body with member countries bordering the North Indian Ocean.

Q3: How are the names chosen?
Ans : Each member country submits a list of 13 names following specific guidelines. These names are culturally appropriate, short, easy to pronounce, and not offensive. The names are then arranged in a table, with each country having its own column. When a cyclone forms, the name is chosen from the top row (rotating through each country’s suggestion) regardless of origin.