The latest cyclone in the Bay of Bengal has borrowed an Indian name, Lehar, in line with the naming protocol for cyclones applicable for the region.
The last time a cyclone bore an Indian name was in 2010 when Jal, originally a severe cyclone, hit the Tamil Nadu coast as a deep depression.
Jal underwent alternating strengthening and weakening episodes all the way from South China Sea where it took birth and finally landed on the Chennai coast on November 7.
Jal accounted for at least 150 deaths variously in Thailand, Malaysia, India and Sri Lanka and caused extensive flooding at most places.
Meanwhile, Helen, the severe cyclone that preceded Lehar, was a name suggested by Bangladesh. Phailin, which triggered the cyclone season during the ongoing North-East monsoon, was a Thai name.
After Lehar, any cyclone taking shape in the Bay of Bengal will take the name of Madi, contributed by Maldives. The one that follows it will be Nanauk (Myanmar).
India names for future cyclones will be Megh, Sagar and Vayu, in that order.