Nisarga Cyclone: How it got its Name, origin and updates

With the onset of global warming, cyclones have become more of commonality across the nation today. In the past, we have come across names such as Huhhud, Titli, Phethai, Fani, Vayu and the recent Amphan. The name of Nisarga cyclone has been taken from the list of 169 names released by the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) in April 2020.

These names will be applied to cyclones emerging in the north Indian Ocean including the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea. The names are usually given to the cyclones as it usually helps the citizens, disaster management, scientific community and media to identify a cyclone quickly and effectively. Nisarga, currently brewing in the Arabian Sea, essentially means nature and has been termed by India's neighbouring country Bangladesh. The name was accorded in a list formulated by a group of countries. 

As Maharashtra braces itself for the cyclonic storm, over 21,000 residents of 22 villages in the Palghar district are to be evacuated ahead of the Nisarga which is likely to hit the coast on June 3, 2020. Thousands of villagers from Vasai, Palghar, Dahanu and Talasari talukas, which are likely to be affected by the Nisarga, have been evacuated to safer places, according to district collector Dr Kailas Shinde.

The slum dwellers in the Mumbai Metropolitan area have been asked to evacuate. The state government has also been moving all the people living in kuccha houses. The authorities have issued an alert to Mumbai city, Mumbai suburbs, Thane, Palghar, Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg districts.

Earlier in the day, the Chief Minister of Maharashtra Uddhav Thackeray shared the cautious plan of action for the cyclone. Thackeray stated that a total of 16 NDRF units have been deployed, out which 10 have been deployed for the rescue operation, while the rest are in reserve. He further added that the teams are prepared to tackle the possible damage that could be caused by landslides, heavy rainfall, etc. Citizens have been asked to stay at home and remain vigilant in order to safeguard themselves.

ALSO READ: Cyclone Nisarga: BMC issues Do's and Do not's