Explained: How Cyclone Asani Was Named and What It Means

According to World Meteorological Organization, naming a cyclonic storm helps send out warning notifications to people living in affected areas.

Cyclone Asani is expected to bring heavy rain in and strong winds in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. India Meteorological Department (IMD) scientist RK Jenamani said the depression is currently moving towards north and will intensify first into a deep depression and later into a tropical cyclone by Monday evening. IMD issues new list of Names of Tropical Cyclones over north Indian Ocean. The current list has a total of 169 names including 13 names each from 13 WMO/ESCAP member countries. Detailed Press Release available at https://t.co/dArV0Ug8nh and https://t.co/wRl94BzRXrpic.twitter.com/ge0oVz4riD

The low-pressure area was first formed in southeast Bay of Bengal last Tuesday and became well marked on Sunday, the IMD said.

Asani is the year's first cyclone and the first to form in the month of March in nearly two decades.

How was Asani named?