GUWAHATI: The super cyclone AMPHAN, pronounced ‘Um-pun’, likely to hit the Bengal Coast today, literally translates to ‘sky.'
The name was the last among the list of names given to cyclonic storms by Thailand in 2004.
Based on suggestions from 8 countries of the WMO/ESCAP, the group finalised a list of 64 names, eight names from each country by a panel of countries from the subcontinent, part of the World Meteorological Organisation/United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (WMO/ESCAP).
The panel included India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Pakistan, the Maldives, Oman, Sri Lanka and Thailand. The panel had suggested names for future cyclones in the region.
The pre-monsoon cyclone last year that hit the Odisha coast was named "Fani" by Bangladesh which means snake.
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In 2018, the WMO/ESCAP expanded to include five more countries - Iran, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.
The new list released in April has 169 names of cyclones which is a compilation of 13 suggestions each from 13 countries.
The next few cyclones are expected to be named Nisarga (suggested by Bangladesh), Gati (India), Nivar (Iran), Burevi (Maldives), Tauktae (Myanmar) and Yaas (Oman).
In the new list, India has also suggested names like Tej, Murasu, Aag, Vyom, Jhar, Probaho, Neer, Prabhanjan, Ghurni, Ambud, Jaladhi and Vega.
The Press Information Bureau lists the criteria for choosing names and ensures that these names do not not hurt sentiments; are not rude, cruel or offensive and should not include elements of gender, politics or religion.
Names must also be culture-neutral, short and easy to pronounce and should not exceed a length of more than eight letters.
Cyclones are named to reduce confusion, make it easier for people to remember and refer to in the future.