Tropical cyclones are given names to facilitate easy communication between forecasters and the general public regarding forecasts and warnings and countries in the region affected get their turn on a rotational basis.
Since it is Sri Lanka’s turn, they have chosen the name Ashobaa. The one before this was called Nilofar because that was the name given by Pakistan, since it was Pakistan’s turn.
The North Indian Ocean region tropical cyclones are being named since October 2004. The region, comprising Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Thailand, each of them suggest seven names. The names given by the countries are used alphabetically one after the another.
The name of the cyclone that comes after Ashobaa, whenever that happens, will be Komen, and this name has been given by Thailand.
Interestingly enough, the table below, taken from the World Meteorlogical Organization, shows that Pakistan has given two more names as well: Titli and Bulbul for cyclones in the Indian Ocean.
