After Lanka’s Asani, India’s flip to call cyclone not far 

Express News Service

BENGALURU: The formation of tropical cyclones just isn’t new and neither is their naming. But this one – Asani – has caught the eye of many. This isn’t just due to its motion, the heavy rainfall and the drop in mercury ranges. But due to its identify. 

It has been named by Sri Lanka and means Raat (night time). That just isn’t all, officers from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) mentioned with the rising formation of cyclones, India’s flip to call the cyclone, which is fifth within the record, will come quickly. 

As per the World Meteorological Organisation’s National Meteorological and Hydrological Services, 13 nations recommend record of names for cyclones forming within the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea, that are for use alphabetically nation clever. The record of nations within the panel embrace – Bangladesh, India, Iran, Maldives, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen. 

“Asani is the first cyclone of this year and as per order, it was Sri Lanka’s turn to name it. The next will be named by Thailand as Sitrang. The next name suggested by India is Tej and it will come fifth in line. But going by the increasing formation of cyclones over the years, the turn of India is not far behind,” a senior IMD official advised TNIE.