Classification and Regional Names

While the mechanisms remain the same, cyclones are known by different regional names around

the world:

• Hurricanes – Atlantic and Northeast Pacific Oceans
• Typhoons – Northwest Pacific Ocean
• Tropical Cyclones – South Pacific and Indian Ocean
• Willy-Willies – Australia

The IMD classifies tropical cyclones in the North Indian Ocean based on wind speed:

• Depression: 31–49 km/h
• Deep Depression: 50–61 km/h
• Cyclonic Storm: 62–88 km/h
• Severe Cyclonic Storm: 89–117 km/h
• Very Severe Cyclonic Storm: 118–165 km/h
• Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm: 166–220 km/h
• Super Cyclonic Storm: >220 km/h

Global Process of Naming Cyclones

The practice of naming cyclones was introduced to facilitate effective communication, tracking, and public awareness during weather forecasts and disaster management. Names make it easier for media, governments, and the public to remember and disseminate warnings efficiently.

Who Decides the Names?

Cyclones are named by regional specialized meteorological centers (RSMCs) and tropical cyclone warning centers (TCWCs) under the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).

There are six RSMCs worldwide, including:

• New Delhi (IMD) – for the North Indian Ocean
  
• Miami (USA) – for the Atlantic
• Tokyo (Japan) – for the Northwest Pacific
• Honolulu (Hawaii) – for the Central Pacific
• La Réunion (France) – for the Southwest Indian Ocean
• Nadi (Fiji) – for the South Pacific

How Are Names Selected?

• Each region maintains a pre-approved list of names submitted by member countries.
• The IMD (New Delhi) coordinates naming for cyclones over the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea, using lists provided by 13 member nations — India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Myanmar, Oman, Thailand, Iran, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Yemen.
• The names are used sequentially, in rotation, and cannot be reused once assigned to a

significant storm.

Example:

• Cyclone Amphan (2020) – named by Thailand, meaning sky.
• Cyclone Tauktae (2021) – named by Myanmar, meaning gecko.
• Cyclone Biparjoy (2023) – named by Bangladesh, meaning disaster.
• Cyclone Montha (2025) – follows the same process under the WMO–ESCAP Panel.

This system ensures uniformity, cultural representation, and neutrality in global meteorological

coordination.

Recent Cyclones in India

India’s east and west coasts have witnessed frequent cyclonic activity in recent years due to warming

sea surface temperatures and changing wind patterns:

• Cyclone Fani (2019) – A category-4 cyclone that devastated coastal Odisha, affecting over 1.5

crore people.

• Cyclone Amphan (2020) – The strongest storm to hit the Bay of Bengal since 1999; caused severe damage in West Bengal and Bangladesh.
• Cyclone Tauktae (2021) – Originated in the Arabian Sea; caused extensive damage in Gujarat and Maharashtra.
• Cyclone Yaas (2021) – Hit Odisha and West Bengal, bringing massive coastal flooding.
• Cyclone Biparjoy (2023) – A long-lived cyclone over the Arabian Sea, highlighting the

increasing cyclonic activity in western India.

• Cyclone Montha (2025) – Now threatening the eastern coast, exemplifying the recurrence and

intensification of tropical cyclones in South Asia.

Impacts of Cyclones

Cyclones have multidimensional impacts—environmental, economic, and social—often leaving long- term scars on coastal regions:

1. Destruction of Infrastructure: High-velocity winds cause extensive damage to houses, power

lines, ports, and communication networks.

1. Storm Surges and Coastal Flooding: The abnormal rise in sea level inundates coastal areas,

contaminating freshwater sources and leading to saline intrusion in agricultural lands.

1. Heavy Rainfall and Inland Flooding: Causes landslides, road blockages, and crop destruction

in interior regions, even far from the landfall point.

1. Loss of Life and Livelihood: Fishing communities and coastal farmers face severe economic

and human losses.

1. Ecological Damage: Cyclones uproot mangroves, erode beaches, destroy coral reefs, and disturb delicate coastal ecosystems.
2. Public Health Hazards: Post-cyclone conditions often trigger vector-borne diseases (malaria,

dengue) and water contamination.

Government Measures and Institutional Framework

India has developed a robust multi-tiered cyclone management system, combining forecasting, mitigation, and community resilience:

1. India Meteorological Department (IMD): Acts as the Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre (RSMC) for the North Indian Ocean, providing early warnings using satellites, radar networks, and ocean buoys.
2. National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA):Formulates guidelines for cyclone preparedness, emergency response, and post-disaster rehabilitation.
3. National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (NCRMP): Implemented with World Bank assistance, this project focuses on constructing cyclone shelters, resilient housing, and embankments in vulnerable states.
4. Early Warning Dissemination Systems (EWDS): Integrates multiple communication channels

— sirens, SMS, and satellite alerts — to ensure timely evacuation and awareness.

1. Disaster Response Forces (NDRF & SDRF): Rapid deployment teams trained in rescue, relief, and medical aid during disasters.
2. Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Policy: Restricts unregulated construction in ecologically sensitive coastal belts, reducing long-term vulnerability.
3. Community-Based Disaster Management (CBDM): Empowering local communities through mock drills, awareness programs, and the inclusion of women’s self-help groups in relief operations.

Challenges in Cyclone Management

Despite significant progress, several issues persist:

• Increasing Intensity Due to Climate Change: Rising sea-surface temperatures and altered

monsoon patterns are making cyclones more frequent, erratic, and powerful.

• Unplanned Coastal Development: Urbanization, industrial expansion, and mangrove

clearance increase vulnerability.

• Inadequate Post-Disaster Rehabilitation: Relief efforts often lack sustainability — especially

for fishermen and marginal farmers.

• Data and Forecasting Gaps: Need for localized, real-time data integration using AI, GIS, and IoT-based systems.
• Socio-Economic Vulnerability: Poverty, illiteracy, and inadequate insurance coverage make coastal populations less resilient.

Way Forward

1. Climate-Resilient Infrastructure Development: Construct cyclone-resistant buildings, raised shelters, and flood-proof public utilities. Integrate climate resilience into the Smart Cities Mission and PM Gati Shakti.
2. Ecosystem-Based Disaster Risk Reduction (Eco-DRR): Restore mangroves, wetlands, and sand dunes as natural buffers against storm surges and flooding.
3. Advanced Forecasting Technology: Enhance precision using machine learning models, Doppler radar expansion, and ocean–atmosphere coupling models for better prediction accuracy.
4. Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM): Balance ecological conservation with socio- economic development through zonal planning and strict enforcement.
5. Community Empowerment and Local Governance: Encourage decentralized disaster management under the Panchayati Raj institutions, ensuring bottom-up resilience planning.
6. Regional and Global Cooperation: Strengthen collaboration through the Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (RIMES) and UNESCO’s IOC frameworks for data sharing.

Conclusion

Cyclone Montha serves as a reminder that natural disasters are intensifying in a warming world, demanding proactive and science-driven governance. While India has emerged as a global leader in early warning and evacuation, true resilience lies in long-term adaptation, sustainable coastal management, and community-led preparedness.

The integration of climate action, technology, and local wisdom will ensure that India’s development trajectory remains both disaster-resilient and environmentally sustainable, turning every storm into an opportunity for stronger national preparedness.