Learn the meaning of the name of tropical storm `Shakti` in the Arabian Sea.

Arab Weather - The Civil Aviation Authority - Oman Meteorology announced that the tropical condition in the Arabian Sea has developed into a tropical storm. It has been named "Shakti," a name with deep significance that originates from South Asian cultures.

Meaning of the name "Shakti"

The word "Shakti" (சக்தி) is rooted in Sanskrit and is widely used in Tamil, one of the major languages of Sri Lanka. The word means strength, energy, and power, and is also used in Hindu religious contexts to denote the universal feminine energy that embodies the creative and driving force of the universe.

Therefore, choosing this name reflects a symbolic connotation of energy and strength, which is consistent with the nature of tropical storms and their impact on nature.

What are tropical storms in the Arabian Sea called?

The naming of tropical storms and cyclones in the northern Indian Ocean, including the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, is not done randomly, but rather is subject to an official mechanism overseen by:

• Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre (RSMC) in New Delhi, India, accredited by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
• A joint regional committee known as the Tropical Cyclone Committee (PTC) includes 13 countries, including the Sultanate of Oman, India, Pakistan, Iran, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Yemen, and others.

Steps for choosing names:

1. Name proposal: Each Member State shall submit a set of proposed names, ensuring that they are easy to pronounce and free of negative connotations.
2. Preparing the list: The names are collected into a unified list (roster) that includes dozens of names arranged sequentially.
3. Naming: When a tropical event reaches tropical storm level (wind speed of 65 km/h or greater), the next name on the list is adopted immediately.
4. Single use: The names in this pool are not reused, but are replaced later with new lists when the current list is exhausted.

Why is this method important?

Adopting this methodology aims to:
• Ease of communication: Give a name that is easy for the media and the public to circulate instead of using coordinates or complex scientific terms.
• Raise community awareness: Names attract attention and help distinguish one storm from the next.
• Regional cooperation: Strengthens cooperation between countries in the region in confronting major weather phenomena.

So, when a reader reads or hears about "Storm Shakti" in weather reports or the media, they are faced with a name carefully chosen according to a precise international system, and one that carries the meaning of strength and energy, symbolically indicating the nature of this weather phenomenon.

Source: Al-Sahwa