Context:
Cyclone Dana was named by Qatar according to the tropical cyclone naming system formulated by the WMO
Naming of Cyclones:
- The practice began in the Caribbean, naming storms after saints from the Roman Catholic calendar.
- In 2002, World Meteorological Organization (WMO) began naming cyclones in the North Indian Ocean.
- In the North Indian Ocean, a collaborative list of cyclone names was established by Tropical Cyclone Regional Body (TCRB).
- TCRB includes 13 countries namely Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Oman, Thailand, Iran, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Yemen.
- Each country submits 13 name suggestions to a WMO panel for review and finalization.
- Significance – Global standardisation facilitates easier identification and tracking of cyclones for media and public.
Guidelines to adopt names of cyclones:
- The proposed name should be neutral to (a) politics and political figures (b) religious believes, (c) cultures and (d) gender
- Name should be chosen in such a way that it does not hurt the sentiments of any group of population over the globe
- It should not be very rude and cruel in nature
- It should be short, easy to pronounce and should not be offensive to any member
- The maximum length of the name will be 8 letters
- The proposed name should be provided with its pronunciation and voice over
- The names of tropical cyclones over the north Indian Ocean will not be repeated. Once used, it will cease to be used again.
Read more about: Tropical Cyclones, Typhoons
Source: Hindustan Times
Previous Year Question
In the South Atlantic and South-Eastern Pacific regions in tropical latitudes, cyclones do not originate. What is the reason?
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2015 Prelims]
(a) Sea surface temperatures are low
(b) Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone seldom occurs
(c) Coriolis force is too weak
(d) Absence of land in those regions
Answer: (b)
