Cyclone Nilam

Cyclonic Storm Nilam  was worst tropical cyclone to directly affect south India since Cyclone Jal in 2010. Originating from an area of low pressure over the Bay of Bengal on October 28, the system began as a weak depression 550 km (340 mi) east-northeast of Trincomalee, Sri Lanka. Over the following few days, the depression gradually intensified into a deep depression, and subsequently a Cyclonic Storm by October 30. It made landfall near Mahabalipuram on October 31 as a strong Cyclonic Storm with peak winds of 45 knots (85 km/h).

The cyclonic storm Nilam that has hit the eastern coast of India was christened as ‘Nilam’ by Pakistan as per the cyclone naming procedure.

Tropical cyclones in the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea are being named since 2004. 'Nilam' means land in Hindi.

According to an IMD release,“The practice of naming storms was adopted because it was proved that short names are easier to remember than numbers and other technical terms.”

IMD (Indian Meteorological Dept) has the mandate to provide weather advisories to seven countries -- Bangladesh, the Maldives, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, Thailand and Sri Lanka besides India.

 

The IMD says the practice of naming storms (tropical cyclones) was adopted years ago to help identify them so that people could be informed about their arrival quickly.

 

This decision, to give names to the cyclones that form over the North Indian Ocean region, was taken unanimously by eight countries — Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Thailand — in the year 2000.

 

IMD has list of 64 names contributed by eight countries of the Indian sub continent-- Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, Thailand and Sri Lanka.

 

While India gave names like Agni, Akash, Bijli, Jal, Lehar, Megh, Sagar, Vayu; Bangladesh gave Onil, Ogni, Nisha, Giri; Maldives gave Goni;  Myanmar gave Pyarr,  Phyan, Thane; Oman gave – Baaz, Sidr, Murjan; Pakistan gave Fanoos, Nargis, Laila, Nilam, Nilofar; Sri Lanka gave Mala, Rashmi, Bandu, Priya and Thailand gave Mukda, Phet.

 

Each country gave eight names for the cyclones. Thus a list of 64 names was prepared. It was also decided that the 8 countries will take turns to name the cyclones.