01.12.2025

Cyclone Ditwah and the North Indian Ocean Naming System

Context

Cyclone Ditwah struck Sri Lanka in late November 2025, bringing intense rainfall, floods, and landslides, especially in the central highlands and eastern districts. The name “Ditwah” was submitted by Yemen to the North Indian Ocean cyclone naming list.

North Indian Ocean Cyclone Naming Convention

1. Purpose and Authority

Purpose

• Ensures clear and uniform communication during cyclone warnings.
   
• Helps the public, media, and disaster agencies quickly identify storms.
   
• Enhances preparedness and reduces confusion during severe weather events.
   

Authority

• Naming and advisories are issued by the Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre (RSMC), New Delhi, operated by the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
   
• The overall system is supervised by the WMO/ESCAP Panel on Tropical Cyclones (PTC).
   

2. Member Countries and Name List

Establishment

• The naming procedure began in September 2004, following a 2000 agreement of the PTC countries.
   
• Initial 8 Members

Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand.

• Current 13 Members

Later expansions (2016–2018) added five Gulf nations. The present list includes:

Bangladesh, India, Iran, Maldives, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, Yemen.

Name List Structure

• Each member submits 13 names → Total 169 names.
   
• Names are used sequentially, column-wise.
   
• No rotation of lists (unlike Atlantic or Pacific basins).
   
• No repetition: Once a name is used, it is permanently retired.
   

3. Naming Rules

General Criteria

• Must be neutral—no political, religious, cultural, or gender associations.
   
• Should not be offensive, sensitive, or emotionally harmful.
   
• Simple, easy to pronounce, and meaningful.
   

Technical Requirements

• Maximum 8 letters.
   
• Must include a pronunciation guide.
   
• Must be unique and not in use by other global RSMCs.
   

Cyclone Ditwah

• Contributed by: Yemen
   
• Meaning: Refers to the Detwah Lagoon located on Socotra Island, Yemen.
   
• Significance: Detwah Lagoon is an ecologically important coastal habitat, symbolizing Yemen’s maritime geography and natural heritage.