India, being surrounded by the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, is frequently affected by tropical cyclones. To make communication easier and reduce confusion during disasters, the
World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the
United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) introduced a cyclone naming system. This system helps meteorological departments, media, and the public easily identify and track storms.
Highlights of Cyclone Names List in India
| Particulars | Details |
|---|
| Naming Authority | WMO/ESCAP Panel on Tropical Cyclones |
| Participating Countries | 13 countries including India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and others |
| Names per Country | Each country submits 13 names in advance |
| Current Naming Cycle | Started from “Amphan” (2020) |
| Latest Used Cyclone Names (2025) | Shakhti (Sri Lanka), Montha (Thailand) |
| Upcoming Indian Names | Vyom, Jhar, Probaho, Neer |
| Language of Indian Names | Hindi/Sanskrit/Regional Indian words with positive meaning |
| Main Purpose of Naming | Easy identification, public awareness, and communication during disaster response |
How Cyclone Names are Chosen
Each country that borders the North Indian Ocean — including India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Myanmar, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, UAE, Yemen, and Iran — contributes a list of names.
The names are used sequentially whenever a new cyclone forms in the region, and once a name is used, it is retired and replaced.
For India, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) is responsible for naming cyclones that form in the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea.
List of Cyclone Names for India and Neighbouring Countries
Here is the new tropical cyclone name list adopted by the WMO/ESCAP panel in April 2020. These names are being used after the earlier list (ending with “Amphan”) was completed.
Cyclone Names List in India
- Gati
- Tej
- Murasu
- Aag
- Vyom
- Jhar
- Probaho
- Neer
- Prabhanjan
- Ghurni
- Ambud
- Jaladhi
- Vega
Each of these names reflects India’s linguistic richness and often represents natural elements like wind, water, or fire.
Cyclones in India 2019–2025: Complete List of Named Storms and Affected Areas
| Cyclone Name | Dates | Peak Intensity (IMD) | Affected Areas (Main Impact in India) | Damage (USD) | Fatalities (India) |
|---|
| Cyclone Pabuk | Jan 4 - Jan 8, 2019 | Tropical Storm (65 km/h) | Andaman Sea | Minimal | None |
| Cyclone Fani | Apr 26 - May 4, 2019 | Extremely Severe (175 km/h) | Odisha, West Bengal | $8.1 billion | 89 |
| Cyclone Vayu | Jun 10 - Jun 17, 2019 | Very Severe (135 km/h) | Gujarat | Moderate | None |
| Cyclone Hikka | Aug 6 - Aug 9, 2019 | Very Severe (120 km/h) | Arabian Sea (Minimal effect in India) | Minimal | None |
| Cyclone Kyarr | Oct 24 - Nov 2, 2019 | Super Cyclonic (220 km/h) | Arabian Sea (No direct impact) | Minimal | None |
| Cyclone Maha | Oct 30 - Nov 7, 2019 | Extremely Severe (150 km/h) | Arabian Sea (No direct impact) | Minimal | None |
| Cyclone Bulbul | Nov 5 - Nov 11, 2019 | Very Severe (110 km/h) | West Bengal, Odisha | Moderate | 2 (India) |
| Cyclone Pawan | Dec 2 - Dec 7, 2019 | Tropical Storm (65 km/h) | Arabian Sea (Minimal effect in India) | Minimal | None |
| Cyclone Amphan | May 16 - May 21, 2020 | Extremely Severe (260 km/h) | West Bengal, Odisha | $13 billion | 128 |
| Cyclone Tauktae | May 14 - May 19, 2021 | Extremely Severe (185 km/h) | Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka | $1.5 billion - $8.1 billion* | 169 (Total in India) |
| Cyclone Yaas | May 23 - May 28, 2021 | Very Severe (140 km/h) | Odisha, West Bengal | $2.99 billion | 20 (Total in India & Bangladesh) |
| Cyclone Jawad | Dec 2 - Dec 6, 2021 | Cyclonic Storm (75 km/h) | Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal | $50.4 million | 2 |
| Cyclone Asani | May 7 - May 12, 2022 | Severe Cyclonic (100 km/h) | Andhra Pradesh, Odisha | $323 million | 3 |
| Cyclone Sitrang | Oct 22 - Oct 25, 2022 | Cyclonic Storm (85 km/h) | West Bengal, Northeast India (Assam, Meghalaya) | Minimal | 1 (India) |
| Cyclone Mandous | Dec 6 - Dec 10, 2022 | Severe Cyclonic (95 km/h) | Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh | $27.4 million | 9 (Total in India & Sri Lanka) |
| Cyclone Biparjoy | Jun 6 - Jun 19, 2023 | Extremely Severe (165 km/h) | Gujarat, Rajasthan | $148 million - $1.22 billion* | 12 (Total in India) |
| Cyclone Remal | May 24 - May 28, 2024 | Severe Cyclonic (110 km/h) | West Bengal, Odisha, Northeast India | Unknown (Major damage in Bangladesh) | 19 (Total in India & Bangladesh) |
| Cyclone Asna | Aug 25 - Sep 2, 2024 | Cyclonic Storm (75 km/h) | Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh | $30 million | 49 (in India) |
| Cyclone Dana | Oct 22 - Oct 26, 2024 | Severe Cyclonic (110 km/h) | Odisha, West Bengal | $73.3 million | 5 (in India) |
| Cyclone Fengal | Nov 25 - Dec 4, 2024 | Cyclonic Storm (85 km/h) | Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Andhra Pradesh | $55 million (Total in India & Sri Lanka) | 20 (in India) |
| Cyclone Shakhti | Early Oct 2025 (Tentative) | Severe Cyclonic (89-117 km/h) | Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa (Peripheral effects) | No direct landfall damage | Minimal/None reported |
| Cyclone Montha | Oct 27 - Oct 29, 2025 (Expected) | Severe Cyclonic (90-110 km/h) | Andhra Pradesh, Yanam (Puducherry) | TBD | TBD |
Some Other Country Contributions
- Bangladesh: Nisarga, Biparjoy, Arnab, Upakul, Barshon, Rajani
- Pakistan: Gulab, Asna, Sahab, Afshan, Manahil, Shujana
- Sri Lanka: Asani, Shakhti, Gigum, Gagana, Verambha, Garjana
- Thailand: Sitrang, Montha, Thianyot, Bulan, Phutala, Aiyara
- Oman: Yaas, Remal, Sail, Naseem, Muzn, Sadeem
- Iran: Nivar, Hamoon, Akvan, Sepand, Booran, Anahita
- UAE: Mandous, Senyar, Afoor, Nahhaam, Quffal, Daaman
These names are culturally diverse, representing the languages and traditions of the 13 member nations.
Recent Cyclones Named under the System (2019–2025)
- Cyclone Amphan (2020) – Named by Thailand, one of the most devastating cyclones in recent memory.
- Cyclone Tauktae (2021) – Named by Myanmar, hit Gujarat and the western coast.
- Cyclone Yaas (2021) – Named by Oman, affected Odisha and West Bengal.
- Cyclone Biparjoy (2023) – Named by Bangladesh, brought heavy rains to Gujarat.
- Cyclone Shakhti (2025) – Named by Sri Lanka, affected parts of the western coast.
- Cyclone Montha (2025) – Named by Thailand, currently active in the Bay of Bengal.
