Understanding Cyclone Dana: how Odisha's upcoming storm got its name

Cyclone Dana, named by Saudi Arabia, is expected to hit the Odisha-West Bengal coast by October 24. The name "Dana," which means "generosity" in Arabic, is part of a naming system used for tropical cyclones. The cyclone formed in the Indian Ocean and is predicted to bring heavy rains to Odisha in the coming days.

How Cyclones get their names

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) manages the naming of tropical cyclones globally. They use a list of names that is organized alphabetically and rotates every six years. Each country in the WMO's tropical cyclone naming system contributes names. For example, Cyclone Tauktae was named by Myanmar, meaning "gecko," and Cyclone Amphan was named by Thailand, meaning "sky."

Naming cyclones with regional words helps raise awareness and promotes cultural exchange among countries affected by these storms. It also improves communication and warning systems.

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Expected impact of Cyclone Dana

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts that the cyclonic circulation over the central Andaman Sea will strengthen into Cyclone Dana by October 23. It is expected to reach the northwest Bay of Bengal, near the Odisha-West Bengal coast, by the morning of October 24.

Wind speeds off the Odisha-West Bengal coast are expected to reach 60 km/h by October 23, increasing to 120 km/h from the night of October 24 to the morning of October 25. The IMD has advised fishermen to avoid going out to sea on October 23.

Fishermen are warned not to venture into the Andaman Sea until October 21, and they should stay out of the Central Bay of Bengal from October 22 to 24, as well as the north Bay of Bengal from October 24 to 25.