The cyclone ‘Sitrang’ is supposed to cross Bangladesh and adjoining West Bengal coast on Tuesday morning (October 25). As per the forecasts, Sundarbans, on the both sides of the international border will get affected most. ‘Sitrang’ ( pronounced as Si-trang), a name recommended by Thailand. According to reports, it is a Thai surname. The name is one of 169 storms names that IMD has listed in 2020.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Sunday that Cyclone ‘Sitrang’ will develop over the east-central Bay of Bengal around the late evening hours. On Sunday morning, the prevailing depression strengthened into a deep depression (wind speed 50-60 kmph, gusting to 70 kmph).
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Sitrang – How cyclones get their name
Disasters like Tropical Cyclones have been named all around the world to cause individuals to recollect them effectively and better portrayal in the set of experiences. Initially, disasters were named arbitrary however it led to confusions thus started the precise naming of the Disasters. Now, cyclones that structure in any sea bowl all over the planet are named by one of the six Regional Specialised Meteorological Centres (RSMCs) and five Tropical Cyclone Warning Centres (TCWCs), including the India Meteorological Department (IMD) .
IMD names the cyclones creating over the north Indian Ocean, including the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian sea. It gives cyclone and storm warnings to 13 member nations Bangladesh, India, Iran, Maldives, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia-Pacific (ESCAP) Panel on Tropical Cyclones (PTC) at its 27th session held in 2000 in Muscat, Sultanate of Oman agreed on principle to give names to the hurricanes in the Bay of Bengal and Arabian sea .
After long deliberations of member countries, the naming of the tropical cyclones over the north Indian Ocean started from September 2004. All nations contribute a list of names that are assigned on consecutive basis to tropical cyclones that is based on first letter of member country. As per rules, the name is neutral to gender, politics, religious faiths and cultures When a name is used once it is not repeated again. In 2020, a new list was released with 169 names, including 13 names each from 13 countries. Some of the names given by India include Gati (speed), Megh (cloud), Akash (sky).
Learn more about Tropical cyclone naming
