Cyclone Gulab: Here's How It Got Its Name

Cyclone Gulab was named by Pakistan.

With cyclone Gulab set to make landfall by this evening, parts of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha have been placed on alert. As per the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the cyclone storm is expected to make landfall between Odisha's Gopalpur and Andhra Pradesh's Kalingapatanam. Wind speeds of up to 95 kmph are to be expected, the IMD has warned. But have you wondered how the cyclone got its name? Cyclone 'Gulab' was named by Pakistan. The word “Gulab” refers to Rose in English. According to an official notification by the IMD, it has to be pronounced as “Gul-Aab” The Cyclonic Storm 'Gulab' over northwest and adjoining westcentral Bay of Bengal moved nearly westwards lay centered at 0530 hrs IST of 26th Sep, over northwest and adjoining westcentral Bay of Bengal about 270 km east-southeast of Gopalpur & 330 km east of Kalingapatnam. pic.twitter.com/Omgo0MkdBe .@RailMinIndia#ECoRupdateIn view of cyclone “Gulab” supposed to be hit btwn South Odisha & North Andhra Pradesh, it has bn decided to cancel, divert, reschedule,regulate & short terminate below mentioned trains as per following @DRMWaltairECoR@DRMKhurdaRoad@DRMSambalpurpic.twitter.com/lIOj8z75eV

The name Gulab is from the list of cyclone names that is maintained by the World Meteorological Organisation/United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (WMO/ESCAP) Panel on Tropical Cyclones (PTC). The panel comprises 13 countries namely, India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Pakistan, the Maldives, Oman, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Iran, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen, who choose the names of cyclones in the region.

The names are chosen keeping in mind they are simple to use and do not carry any inflammatory meaning. As per guidelines, the name should be neutral to politics, political figures, religious beliefs, cultures, and gender.

Amphan, the cyclone that hit India in May 2020 was the last name on the list developed in 2004. With as many as eight countries, the group finalised 64 names, with each country pitching eight names.