Cyclone : A Key to Public Safety and Disaster Awareness
27.05.2024: Cyclone Remal recently made landfall between Sagar Island in West Bengal and Khepupara in Bangladesh, bringing winds of up to 135 km/h. But do you know what the name “Remal” means and why it was given?
The name “Remal” translates to ‘sand’ in Arabic. It was chosen by Oman following the standard convention of naming tropical cyclones in the region. This might prompt the question of why Oman, situated on the Arabian Sea, can name a cyclone in the Bay of Bengal, and why are cyclones named in the first place?
The process of naming cyclones in this region is governed by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). They collaborated to enhance cyclone warning and disaster mitigation in the North Indian Ocean region. Initially involving eight countries, the Panel on Tropical Cyclones (PTC) started naming cyclones in 2004 after gathering recommendations from each member.
In 2018, the PTC expanded to include more countries, leading to a new list of 169 cyclone names. These names, chosen based on guidelines ensuring neutrality and suitability, are then assigned to cyclones in a rotational manner, aiding in quick identification and awareness among the public, scientists, media, and disaster managers.
The practice of naming cyclones serves simplicity and clarity. Unlike using technical terms or numbers, names are easier to remember and facilitate rapid warning dissemination, community readiness, and avoid confusion during multiple cyclones affecting a region. Similar conventions exist for tropical storms globally.
Understanding the meaning behind cyclone names and how they’re assigned sheds light on the coordinated efforts to mitigate disaster impacts and enhance public safety.