Montha Meaning Explained: What the Next Cyclone Could Be Named

A high alert has been issued in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Tamil Nadu as a deep depression in the Bay of Bengal intensifies into a cyclonic storm. The storm has been named Montha, and authorities are closely monitoring its path.

You might wonder, what does “Montha” mean? This name was contributed by Thailand, one of the 13 countries that provide names for cyclones in the North Indian Ocean. In Thai, Montha means a fragrant or beautiful flower — a poetic reminder of nature’s power and beauty.

Cyclone naming in the North Indian Ocean follows a flexible and organized system. The Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre (RSMC), New Delhi, operated by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) under the supervision of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the UN ESCAP, manages the naming.

The 13 member countries contributing to this list are: Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Yemen, Iran, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. Each country submits 13 names, creating a pool of 169 names. Whenever a new cyclone forms, the IMD selects the next name from this list.

According to the standardized list, the next cyclone could be named Sen-Yaar, submitted by the UAE. This name refers to the annual pearling voyage in the Gulf, a fascinating glimpse into cultural heritage.

A total of 23 out of 26 districts in Andhra Pradesh are on high alert as the State braces for the severe cyclonic storm Montha.

As of 5:30 am on October 27, 2025, the storm lay over the southwest and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal, moving northwest at 15 kmph. Its position was approximately 560 km east-southeast of Chennai, 620 km south-southeast of Kakinada, 650 km south-southeast of Visakhapatnam, 790 km south of Gopalpur, and 810 km west of Port Blair.

The storm is expected to continue northwestward over the southwest and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal for the next 12 hours, then turn north-northwest and intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by the morning of October 28.

It is likely to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam, near Kakinada, on the evening or night of October 28, with wind speeds of 90–100 kmph, gusting up to 110 kmph.

In anticipation of heavy rainfall, the State government has declared school holidays until October 31 to ensure the safety of students and residents.