Understanding Cyclone Montha: Origin, Naming Process and Expected Impact on Indian Coastal Regions

Montha, which translates to "fragrant flower" or "beautiful flower" in Thai language, is the name given to a new cyclonic storm forming over the Arabian Sea.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Cyclone Montha is projected to strike the Andhra Pradesh coastline by October 28. Officials have indicated that Odisha may also experience impacts from this weather system.

The IMD has reported that a low pressure area has developed over the Bay of Bengal, with the depression expected to intensify over the coming days as conditions become more favorable.

Regarding the naming process, cyclones in the North Indian Ocean region receive designations from a predetermined list submitted by regional countries. Thailand, one of the 13 member nations contributing to the cyclone naming convention, proposed the name "Montha."

The Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre (RSMC) in New Delhi, operated by the IMD under the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) supervision, handles the naming protocol for cyclones in this region.

Contributing countries include Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Yemen, Iran, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Each nation provides 13 names, creating a collective pool of 169 potential designations. When a new cyclonic system forms, the IMD selects the next available name from this established list.

Concerning landfall predictions, the IMD has issued red and orange alerts for 23 of Andhra Pradesh's 26 districts. Cyclone Montha is currently moving northwestwards toward the Andhra coast and is anticipated to make landfall between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam, near Kakinada, on October 28.

The weather agency has released heavy rainfall advisories for multiple states including Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Puducherry as the cyclone approaches.

Additionally, Odisha is forecast to experience significant precipitation on October 28 and 29, with particular alerts for the districts of Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput, and Malkangiri.