Murasu becomes first Tamil name for a tropical cyclone
The name of a traditional percussion instrument was chosen for the severe cyclonic storm over the Bay of Bengal.
A severe cyclonic storm over the Bay of Bengal has been named Murasu, marking the first time a Tamil name has been assigned to a tropical cyclone since naming began in September 2004, according to The Hindu.
The name was selected from a second list of names for tropical cyclones over the north Indian Ocean, which was prepared by a World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) panel.
S. Balachandran, former additional director general of meteorology, said the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) Chennai suggested the name because the percussion instrument was used in ancient times to alert people about natural disasters and disseminate information.
Mr. Balachandran, who headed the RMC when the names were proposed, added that the instrument also denoted a thunderous sound.
The name was one of 13 suggested by India to the WMO and United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific panel, which includes contributions from 12 other countries.
N. Puviarasan, Head of the Meteorological Centre, Bengaluru, noted that other names suggested by the RMC, such as Thirukai, Kalappai, Yer, and Naavai, did not make the list. Names had to meet criteria including neutrality, ease of pronunciation, and a maximum length of eight letters.