Currently active over the Bay of Bengal, Cyclone Montha has drawn attention not only for its intensity but also for its poetic and rather interesting name. The India Meteorological Department warned of heavy rainfall, strong winds, and rising sea waves along coastal regions, urging authorities to remain alert. Montha is the second named cyclone of the season, following Cyclone Shakthi (named by Sri Lanka). Named by Thailand, Montha means “fragrant flower” or “beautiful flower” in Thai — a gentle name for a storm of such force. The system developed over the southeast Bay of Bengal in late October 2025 and is expected to make landfall between Andhra Pradesh and Odisha on October 28–29, according to the IMD. But have you ever wondered who names these cyclones and why certain names draw so much attention?
Why cyclones are named and who decides
Cyclones are named to make communication faster, clearer, and less confusing, especially when several storms form simultaneously. Naming helps meteorological departments, disaster management teams, and the public easily track and prepare for potential threats.
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For the North Indian Ocean region , covering the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea, cyclone naming is overseen by the World Meteorological Organization and the United Nations ESCAP Panel on Tropical Cyclones.
Thirteen countries, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Myanmar, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Oman, Yemen, Iran, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE , each submit 13 culturally significant and easy-to-pronounce names, creating a list of 169 names used sequentially when wind speeds exceed 62 km/h.
The IMD, as the Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre, officially announces each name.
Naming guidelines include:
- Names should be short and simple.
- They must carry cultural meaning but avoid political, religious, or personal references.
- Once used, a name cannot be reused in the same region.
3 unique cyclone names and their origins
- Mocha – Named by Yemen, after the famous Yemeni port known for its coffee trade. Cyclone Mocha struck in May 2023.
- Tauktae – Suggested by Myanmar, meaning gecko in Burmese. The cyclone made landfall in western India in May 2021.
- Fani- Cyclone Fani (often pronounced “Foni”) was named by Bangladesh and means “hood of a snake” in Bengali. It struck India in May 2019, causing severe damage along the Odisha coast and bringing widespread attention to the cyclone naming system.
