Cyclone Arnab: How Storms Get Their Names in UPSC Geography

28 Oct Cyclone Arnab: How Storms Get Their Names in UPSC Geography

✎ Tropical cyclones in the North Indian Ocean are named by the IMD from a pre-approved list maintained by the WMO/ESCAP Panel on Tropical Cyclones (PTC) when sustained winds exceed 62 km/h, ensuring systematic identification and…

Subject Relevance — Where This Topic Fits

• GS Paper I — Geography of India and World Geography  |  GS Paper III — Disaster Management
• Prelims: Tropical Cyclone, IMD, WMO/ESCAP Panel on Tropical Cyclones, Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea, cyclogenesis, Saffir-Simpson Scale, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (NCRMP)
• Essay: The role of international cooperation in addressing global environmental challenges, Science and technology in disaster risk reduction: A case study of cyclone forecasting

Quick Revision: Tropical cyclones in the North Indian Ocean are named by the IMD from a pre-approved list maintained by the WMO/ESCAP Panel on Tropical Cyclones (PTC) when sustained winds exceed 62 km/h, ensuring systematic identification and public communication.

Why is this in the news?

Cyclone Arnab, the first named tropical cyclone of the 2026 North Indian Ocean cyclone season, made landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast on 28 October 2026, causing significant meteorological and hydrological impacts. The naming of this cyclone underscores the operational protocols of the WMO/ESCAP Panel on Tropical Cyclones (PTC) and the procedural norms followed by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) in cyclone nomenclature, which are critical for effective disaster preparedness and public communication.

Background

• The practice of naming tropical cyclones in the North Indian Ocean region was formalised by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) in 2000 through the establishment of the WMO/ESCAP Panel on Tropical Cyclones (PTC).
• Initially, the panel included eight countries: Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. In 2018, the panel was expanded to include five additional countries: Iran, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen, bringing the total to thirteen member states.
• The IMD, as the designated Regional Specialised Meteorological Centre (RSMC) for the North Indian Ocean, is responsible for monitoring tropical cyclones and assigning names from the pre-approved list maintained by the WMO/ESCAP PTC.
• Cyclone nomenclature serves multiple purposes: facilitating unambiguous communication among meteorological agencies, enhancing public awareness and preparedness, and reducing confusion in the event of multiple simultaneous systems.
• The naming convention is region-specific and does not imply origin or impact; names are selected from a rotating list and assigned sequentially based on the order of formation and intensity criteria.

What is the nomenclature system for tropical cyclones in the North Indian Ocean?

• The WMO/ESCAP Panel on Tropical Cyclones (PTC) maintains a rotating list of 169 pre-approved names for tropical cyclones in the North Indian Ocean, contributed by the 13 member countries (13 names each).
• Names are assigned sequentially as cyclones attain the required intensity threshold, not based on severity, projected path, or potential impact. The first named cyclone of the season receives the next name in the sequence.
• A tropical cyclone is officially named when its maximum sustained surface wind speed reaches at least 34 knots (62 km/h), as monitored by the IMD. Systems below this threshold are classified as depressions or low-pressure areas.
• The name ‘Arnab’ was contributed by Bangladesh and is pronounced ‘Ornab’, meaning ‘ocean’ or ‘sea’ in Bengali. The name does not indicate the cyclone’s origin or the country most affected by its landfall.
• The naming process is governed by the WMO/ESCAP PTC, which ensures regional representation and linguistic diversity. Names are selected to be short, easily pronounceable, and culturally appropriate across member states.
• The IMD, as the RSMC for the North Indian Ocean, issues cyclone advisories, tracks systems, and assigns names from the list. The RSMC also coordinates with national meteorological services for real-time data sharing.
• The nomenclature system is distinct from the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale used in the Atlantic and Eastern Pacific basins, as the North Indian Ocean employs a different classification framework for cyclonic intensity.
• The IMD maintains a public repository of cyclone names and advisories, ensuring transparency and accessibility for stakeholders, including disaster management agencies and the general public.

UPSC Value Addition

Prelims Practice Questions

Q1. Consider the following statements regarding the naming of tropical cyclones in the North Indian Ocean:
1. The naming of cyclones is done by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) headquarters in Geneva.
2. The WMO/ESCAP Panel on Tropical Cyclones (PTC) includes 13 member countries.
3. A tropical cyclone is assigned a name when its maximum sustained surface wind speed reaches at least 34 knots.
4. The name of a cyclone is selected based on the severity of the storm and its projected path.
How many of the above statements are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. Only three
4. All

Answer: Only three — Statements 2 and 3 are correct. The naming is done by WMO/ESCAP PTC, not WMO headquarters alone. The name is selected according to a pre-decided sequence, not based on severity or projected path. Statement 1 and 4 are incorrect.

Q2. Assertion (A): The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) assigns names to tropical cyclones in the North Indian Ocean only after the system reaches the intensity of a cyclonic storm.
Reason (R): The IMD follows the criteria prescribed by the WMO/ESCAP Panel on Tropical Cyclones (PTC) for naming cyclones, which requires a maximum sustained surface wind speed of at least 34 knots.

1. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
2. Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A
3. A is true but R is false
4. A is false but R is true

Answer: Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A — Both A and R are true, and R correctly explains A. The IMD assigns names only after the system meets the intensity threshold of 34 knots as per WMO/ESCAP PTC norms.

Q3. Match the following columns related to tropical cyclone nomenclature:

Column I
A. WMO/ESCAP Panel on Tropical Cyclones (PTC)
B. IMD’s Regional Specialised Meteorological Centre
C. Cyclone Amphan
D. Cyclone Arnab

Column II
1. First named cyclone in the North Indian Ocean list released in April 2026
2. Provides names for cyclones in the North Indian Ocean
3. Monitors and names cyclones in the Indian region
4. Last name from the previous list included in the new list due to non-use

1. A-2, B-3, C-4, D-1; A-3, B-2, C-1, D-4; A-2, B-4, C-3, D-1; A-1, B-3, C-2, D-4
2. answer_array_indexes_to_match_columns

Answer: ? — Correct matches: A-2 (WMO/ESCAP PTC provides names), B-3 (IMD’s RSMC monitors and names cyclones), C-4 (Amphan was the last name from the previous list included due to non-use), D-1 (Arnab is the first named cyclone in the new list).

Mains Practice Question

✍ The nomenclature of tropical cyclones in the North Indian Ocean is governed by a regional cooperative mechanism rather than unilateral decisions. Critically examine the institutional framework, criteria, and significance of this naming convention in the context of disaster management and regional cooperation. (15 Marks)

Approach: MODEL-ANSWER SKELETON:

1. **Institutional Framework**:
– Role of WMO/ESCAP Panel on Tropical Cyclones (PTC): 13 member nations (Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Iran, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Yemen).
– Mandate of IMD’s Regional Specialised Meteorological Centre (RSMC) for the North Indian Ocean: monitoring, forecasting, and naming cyclones.
– Process of name selection: countries submit names; PTC finalises lists (e.g., 13 names per country in the 2026 list).

2. **Criteria for Naming**:
– Intensity threshold: maximum sustained surface wind speed ≥ 34 knots (62 km/h).
– Exclusion of low-pressure areas or depressions without reaching cyclonic storm status.
– Sequential assignment: names are drawn in order from the pre-approved list, irrespective of origin or landfall.

3. **Significance in Disaster Management**:
– Facilitates clear communication and public awareness: named cyclones are easier to remember and track.
– Enhances regional cooperation: shared responsibility among member nations in monitoring and mitigation.
– Supports early warning systems and disaster preparedness: standardised nomenclature improves coordination.

4. **Challenges and Criticisms**:
– Neutrality of names: names do not indicate origin or affected regions (e.g., Cyclone Arnab named by Bangladesh).
– Cultural and linguistic diversity: ensuring names are easily pronounceable and acceptable across regions.
– Overlap with global naming systems: coordination with WMO’s global tropical cyclone naming lists.

5. **Conclusion**:
– The naming convention exemplifies regional cooperation in meteorology and disaster risk reduction.
– Its effectiveness hinges on sustained institutional collaboration and adherence to scientific criteria.

Source: The Indian Express

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