Cyclone Murasu

Why in News?

• Severe Cyclonic Storm Murasu developed over the Bay of Bengal and moved towards the Andhra Pradesh coast.
• It is the first Tamil name assigned to a tropical cyclone in the North Indian Ocean basin since cyclone naming began in September 2004.

Important Prelims Pointers

• Name: Murasu.
• Meaning: Traditional Tamil percussion instrument, meaning war drum.
• Suggested by: India.
• Origin: Bay of Bengal.
• Location: West-central and adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal.
• Nature: Severe Cyclonic Storm.
• Expected Landfall: Between Nellore and Narsapur, Andhra Pradesh.
• Wind Speed: 100–110 kmph, gusting up to 120 kmph (forecast).
• Previous Cyclone: Cyclone Arnab, which affected Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.
• Significance: First Tamil name assigned to a tropical cyclone since 2004.

About Murasu

• Traditional Instrument: Murasu is a traditional Tamil percussion instrument.
• Historical Use: Used for disseminating information and alerting people.
• Warning Signal: Its thunderous sound was historically used as a warning signal.

Cyclone Naming Mechanism

• International Framework: Tropical cyclones over the North Indian Ocean are named under the WMO/ESCAP Panel on Tropical Cyclones.
• Member Countries: 13 member countries contribute names.
• India’s Contribution: India provided 13 names to the regional naming list.
• Naming Authority: Regional Specialised Meteorological Centre (RSMC), IMD, New Delhi.
• Purpose: To facilitate identification, communication and disaster warnings.

Prelims Practice Questions

Q1. With reference to Cyclone Murasu, consider the following statements:

1. Murasu is a traditional Tamil percussion instrument.
2. The name was contributed by India.
3. It originated in the Arabian Sea.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only

Explanation: Murasu is a Tamil traditional drum name contributed by India. The cyclone developed over the Bay of Bengal.

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