Cyclone alert: 'Montha' means a beautiful flower, but it’s no petal for millions in its path

The cyclone's intensification has triggered large-scale emergency preparations along India’s eastern coastline. The Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) reported the system is moving at 18 kmph. It is projected to cross the coast of Andhra Pradesh, bringing with it the threat of strong winds, heavy rainfall and a storm surge.

Authorities in the coastal states of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha have initiated extensive precautionary measures. A government report indicates that over 50,000 people have already been relocated to relief camps. The evacuation process is focused on low-lying coastal areas, with the government in Andhra Pradesh anticipating that nearly 3.9 million people could be affected by the storm’s impact.

As part of the emergency response, holidays for government staff in key departments have been cancelled and schools and colleges in vulnerable districts have been ordered to close.

Fishermen in Odisha have been warned against venturing out to sea. Neighbouring Tamil Nadu has also issued alerts, urging residents in several districts to remain vigilant due to forecasts of heavy to very heavy rainfall.

The origin of the name 'Montha' 


The name ‘Montha’ was provided by Thailand, a member nation of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations panel on tropical cyclones.

In Thai, the word translates to “a fragrant flower” or “beautiful flower.” This naming is part of a structured, international system for identifying cyclones in the North Indian Ocean region, which includes the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea.

The system behind naming cyclones 



The process of naming cyclones is managed by the IMD, which serves as the Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre in New Delhi. This system was instituted in 2004 with the primary goals of facilitating clear communication, enhancing public awareness and aiding in effective disaster risk management.

A total of 13 countries in the region, including Bangladesh, India, Iran, the Maldives, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, UAE and Yemen, contribute to a rotating list of names. The guidelines stipulate that proposed names must be neutral, short, easy to pronounce and culturally sensitive and inoffensive.

A cyclone is assigned a name from this pre-determined list once it reaches a sustained wind speed of 34 knots (approximately 62 km/h). This practice helps avoid confusion when multiple storms occur and is crucial for issuing timely warnings and coordinating preparedness activities.

A recurring threat and a call for vigilance 



Cyclones are a recurrent climatic feature along India’s east coast, particularly between the months of April and December.

The region has a tragic history with such storms, notably the 1999 Odisha super cyclone, which stands as one of the country's most devastating natural disasters, claiming nearly 10,000 lives.

For the millions in its projected path, the name ‘Montha’ is not a floral abstraction but a signal to take immediate, life-preserving action. The success of disaster management now hinges on the continued effectiveness of evacuations and the adherence of the public to official advisories as the storm gathers strength over the Bay of Bengal.