Q.The recent cyclone on the east coast of India was called "Phailin". How are the tropical cyclones named across the world? Elaborate.

Introduction

Tropical cyclones are intense rotating storm systems forming over warm ocean waters, characterized by low atmospheric pressure, strong winds, and heavy rainfall. Naming these powerful weather events, such as Cyclone Phailin which impacted India's east coast in 2013, is a critical practice to ensure clear communication and effective disaster preparedness and response.

Body

Global Naming Conventions

• The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) coordinate the naming of tropical cyclones globally.

• This coordination is primarily managed through five Regional Specialized Meteorological Centers (RSMCs) and six Tropical Cyclone Warning Centers (TCWCs) worldwide.

• Naming helps in avoiding confusion when multiple cyclones are active in a region, especially for meteorologists, media, and the public, improving early warning systems.

Regional Naming System for North Indian Ocean

• For the North Indian Ocean basin (which includes the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal), the Regional Specialized Meteorological Center (RSMC) New Delhi is responsible for issuing advisories and naming tropical cyclones.

• A panel of 13 member countries contributes names to a common list: Bangladesh, India, Iran, Maldives, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.

• Each country provides a list of names, which are then used sequentially, generally in alphabetical order of the contributing country.

Naming Criteria and Process

• Cyclone names are chosen to be short, easy to pronounce, and remember, and should not be culturally sensitive or offensive.

• Once a name is used, it is retired if the cyclone caused significant damage or fatalities, to prevent future use and honor its impact.

• The lists are prepared years in advance, ensuring a continuous supply of names. The current list for the North Indian Ocean was adopted in 2020.

Value Addition

The name 'Phailin' was contributed by Thailand, meaning 'sapphire'. It made landfall near Gopalpur, Odisha, in October 2013, prompting one of India's largest mass evacuations, saving countless lives due to effective early warning and preparedness. The RSMC New Delhi maintains separate lists for the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal regions. The current consolidated list contains 169 names.

flowchart LR
A[WMO/ESCAP Panel on Tropical Cyclones] --> B[13 North Indian Ocean Member Countries]
B --> C[Submit Names (e.g., 'Phailin' by Thailand)]
C --> D[RSMC New Delhi]
D --> E[Assign Name to Formed Cyclone]
E --> F[Public Communication & Early Warning]

Conclusion

The systematic naming of tropical cyclones, governed by international cooperation and regional coordination, is an indispensable tool for enhancing public awareness and facilitating timely information dissemination. This practice significantly strengthens disaster risk reduction efforts, enabling more effective evacuations and relief operations, thereby minimizing human and economic losses from these recurring natural hazards.