How A Cyclone Gets Its Name

It might not be known when the next cyclone will hit the northern Indian Ocean, but what is already known is its name – Bandu, an official said Thursday.

Cyclones derive their names through a systematic procedure laid down by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP).

Cyclone Laila, which developed in the Indian Ocean off the Andhra Pradesh coast creating much havoc in the state, was named by Pakistan. The next to hit countries in the north Indian Ocean region will be called Bandu – a name given by Sri Lanka, and the one after that will be Phet, named by Thailand.

Eight north Indian Ocean countries – Bangladesh, India, the Maldives, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Thailand – have prepared a list of 64 names.