Tue Oct 28 07:23:19 UTC 2025: ## News Article: Cyclone Montha Threatens India as Naming Convention Explained

Visakhapatnam, India – October 28, 2025 – Severe cyclonic storm “Montha,” named by Thailand, is poised to make landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast today, prompting red alerts in 16 districts. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reports that waves are already crashing ashore in Visakhapatnam.

The name “Montha,” meaning “fragrant flower” or “beautiful flower” in Thai, is part of the revised naming list approved by the IMD-RSMC in 2020. S.V.J. Kumar, a senior meteorologist at the Cyclone Warning Centre-Visakhapatnam, explained the purpose of naming cyclones:

“The idea behind naming cyclones during weather warnings and relief operations is to identify them easily, alert them to a large audience and talk about them for references. Also, it helps us to archive its data in our records with the name.”

The IMD-RSMC, a Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre managed by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) in New Delhi and one of six such centers designated by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), is responsible for naming cyclones in the northern Indian Ocean region (Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea). The 13 member countries include India, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Bangladesh.

Naming began in the IMD-RSMC region in September 2004 and is implemented once a cyclone reaches wind speeds of 65 kmh. Kumar emphasized that naming cyclones is vital for avoiding confusion when multiple storms are active and for ensuring clear communication. Names must also adhere to strict guidelines: “Names should not be political, religious, cultural and gender-related and should not insult or offend any community across the world,” he stated. A name, once used, is never repeated.

The naming convention follows a rotation of sequentially listed names. The next cyclone after Montha will be named “Senyar,” a name provided by the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Authorities are urging residents in affected areas to take necessary precautions. Further updates will be provided as the situation unfolds.

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