Bhubaneswar: The cyclonic storm brewing over Bay of Bengal is likely to be named ‘Montha’, pronounced as ‘Mon-Tha’.
The name suggested by Thailand is part of the naming system for tropical cyclones in the North Indian Ocean. Montha means “fragrant flower” or “beautiful flower” in the Thai language.
The practice of naming storms (tropical cyclones) began years ago to help in the quick identification and tracking of storms since names are presumed to be far easier to remember than numbers and technical terms. For North Indian Ocean, including Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea, a new list of names was adopted by World Meteorological Organization (WMO)/ESCAP Panel on Tropical Cyclones, which includes 13 member countries (Bangladesh, India, Iran, Maldives, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen), in April 2020.
Each country has provided a list of 13 names, which are being used sequentially. These names are supposed to be easy to pronounce, neutral to politics, religions, cultures and gender. Also, not ‘very rude and cruel’ in nature.
Cyclone Prediction
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted likely formation of the cyclonic storm over southwest and adjoining westcentral Bay of Bengal by October 27 morning. “The low-pressure area over southeast Bay of Bengal is likely to move west-northwestwards, intensify into a depression over southeast and adjoining central Bay of Bengal by October 25 and further into a deep depression by October 26 and into a cyclonic storm over southwest & adjoining westcentral Bay of Bengal by October 27 morning,” according to the special bulletin.
According to senior meteorologist Jason Nicholls, the system in the southeast Bay of Bengal can strengthen to a cyclonic storm before reaching the Andhra Pradesh coast early next week.
Private forecaster Skymet Weather Services has also predicted that the low-pressure area over the southeast and adjoining southcentral Bay of Bengal may intensify into a depression in the next 24–36 hours and keep moving west-northwest. “It is likely to get positioned over the southcentral and adjoining Southwest Bay of Bengal during this period. It will constantly keep moving closer to the coastline of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh,” it said.
It further noted that a cold pool of water beyond the western periphery of the system may prove detrimental for its sustenance and growth. “However, the weather system will track more northwest, away from the cooler surface. Once it crosses this hurdle, which is likely in the next 24 hours, the depression will race fast toward warm waters and favourable environmental conditions. During this process, it may develop into a cyclonic storm. Accordingly, the threat of heavy rains looms large over coastal Tamil Nadu and south coastal Andhra Pradesh,” it added.
Impact On Odisha
Under the influence of the system, Odisha may experience another spell of heavy to very heavy rain from October 27. The weather agency has issued an orange warning of heavy to very heavy rain for Kendrapada, Cuttack, Puri, Khurda, Ganjam, Jagatsinghpur, Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Jajpur, Bhadrak, Gajapati, Rayagada, Malkangiri and Koraput districts on October 27-29.
Also Read: Odisha Braces For Another Spell Of Very Heavy Rain Amid Cyclone By Oct 27 Prediction
Squally weather with wind speed reaching 35-45 kmph gusting to 55 kmph may also prevail along & off Odisha coast from October 26. It is likely to increase to 45- 55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph from October 27 and 50- 60 kmph gusting to 70 kmph from October 28 till October 29.