Cyclone Michaung: Origin of its name and how cyclones get their names

Cyclone Michaung has caused havoc on India's southern coast and led to inundation in different parts of Chennai. (Representational Image).

Chennai residents have been forced to stay indoors and had their normal lives disrupted after heavy rains left large parts of the city submerged in varying levels of water.

The key factor behind the deluge in the Tamil Nadu capital has been Cyclone Michaung, which has caused havoc on India's southern coast and led to inundation in different parts of the city.

Here's how the cyclone got its name and how cyclones are named in general:

Why Cyclone Michaung?

The name Michaung was proposed by Myanmar, denoting resilience and fortitude. The cyclone is the sixth to develop in the Indian Ocean this year and fourth to form in the Bay of Bengal. The Indian Meteorological Department had predicted that Cyclone Michaung was expected to form in southwest Bay of Bengal on December 3.

The following day, the storm was predicted to make landfall along the Tamil Nadu coast. Unfortunately for many, the predictions cam true as rains lashed Chennai and left many parts submerged. High levels of water also forced the Chennai airport to shut down until 11 pm on Monday.

Also read: Cyclone Michaung updates: 10 trapped as Chennai building caves in, rescue underway

How are cyclones named?

The system of naming cyclones was adopted by the World Meterological Organisation (WMO) and member countries of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission (ESCAP) intervene.

The names of cyclones depend on the regional rules. "In the Atlantic and in the Southern hemisphere (Indian ocean and South Pacific), tropical cyclones receive names in alphabetical order, and women and men's names are alternated. In the Northern Indian Ocean, nations began utilizing a new method for naming tropical cyclones in 2000; the names are listed alphabetically by country and are gender-neutral," the WMO said.

The World Health Organisation generally keeps a track of names.

Also read: Cyclone Michaung: Visuals of flooded Chennai airport go viral, 70 flights cancelled