Cyclone Gulab: How did it get the name?

Rainfall activity started in Odisha’s southern and coastal regions on Sunday morning in the wake of Cyclone Gulab, which is likely to make landfall around midnight. As per the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the cyclonic storm is expected to make landfall between Odisha’s Gopalpur and Andhra Pradesh’s Kalingapatanam. Wind speeds of up to 95 kmph are to be expected, the IMD has warned.

Also read: Cyclone Gulab to make landfall around midnight

Meanwhile, if you have been wondering how the cyclone got its name, we have got you covered. The word ‘Gulab’ means Rose in English. According to an official notification by the IMD, it should be pronounced as ‘Gul-Aab’.

You should also know that Cyclone ‘Gulab’ was named by Pakistan.

How are cyclones named?

The name Gulab comes from the list of cyclone names maintained by the World Meteorological Organisation/United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (WMO/ESCAP) Panel on Tropical Cyclones (PTC). The panel includes 13 countries — India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Pakistan, the Maldives, Oman, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Iran, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen — who choose the names of cyclones in the region.

Should not be provocative

The names are chosen keeping in mind that they are simple to use and do not carry any inflammatory meaning. As per guidelines, the name should be neutral to politics, political figures, religious beliefs, cultures, and gender.

List developed in 2004

Amphan, the cyclone that hit India in May 2020 was the last name on the list developed in 2004. With as many as eight countries, the group finalised 64 names, with each country pitching eight names.

169 names by 13 countries

The group included five more countries in 2018 and the list expanded. With 13 countries pitching 13 suggestions each, the list has 169 names of cyclones. Cyclone Tauktae, which hit the Gujarat coast in May this year was taken from this list and was suggested by Myanmar. Cyclone Gulab is the second cyclonic storm to hit Odisha in four months after Cyclone Yaas, which was given its name by Oman.

As for Cyclone Gulab, the landfall process will begin from late evening of Sunday, the IMD said, while issuing a Red Message’ (extreme rain).