Cyclone ‘Montha’ Named by Thailand, Means ‘Beautiful Flower’ in Thai

The severe cyclonic storm Montha (pronounced Mon-tha) is churning over the Bay of Bengal, gathering strength and attention across the region. The name was given by Thailand, one of the 13 countries in the Regional Specialised Meteorological Centre (RSMC) operated by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) in New Delhi.

In Thai, Montha translates to “fragrant” or “beautiful flower.” The name is part of the updated list of cyclone names approved by the IMD-RSMC in 2020. Globally, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has assigned six RSMCs to monitor and name tropical cyclones, with India’s centre responsible for the northern Indian Ocean, including the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea.

“The RSMC’s 13 member nations include India, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Bangladesh,” explained S.V.J. Kumar, Senior Meteorologist at the Cyclone Warning Centre, Visakhapatnam. “Naming cyclones makes communication faster and clearer during forecasts and disaster response. It also helps us maintain consistent and accurate historical records,” he told Deccan Chronicle on Tuesday.

The IMD started naming cyclones in this region in 2004, once wind speeds cross 65 km/h. Mr. Kumar noted that names also help avoid confusion when multiple systems form at the same time. “Each name is carefully chosen to avoid political, religious, or cultural bias and must not offend any community. Once used, a name is retired forever,” he said.

Cyclone names are selected in rotation from lists submitted by all member countries. Following Montha, the next cyclone in the region will be called Senyar, a name proposed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

With the storm strengthening over the Bay, weather agencies continue to monitor its path closely as coastal districts brace for heavy rain and strong winds in the coming days.