How was Cyclone Mocha named?

The deep depression over the southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining area intensified into cyclonic storm Mocha on Thursday morning, said the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD).

The cyclone is likely to intensify further and move in a north-northwesterly direction till Friday morning, after which it might recurve gradually and move north-northeastwards, according to a BMD special weather bulletin (serial number 05).

Why the name Mocha?

Tropical cyclones are named by six regional specialised meteorological centres (RSMICs) and five regional Tropical Cyclone Warning Centres (TCWCs).

Yemen suggested the name 'Mocha', which is supposed to be pronounced as Mokha. The cyclone has been named after a Red Sea port city known for its coffee production, according to the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO). The city also gave its name to the popular beverage, café Mocha.

Weather forecasters give each tropical cyclone a name to avoid confusion, according to the WMO. In general, tropical cyclones are named according to the rules at the regional level.

The names are chosen to be easy to remember and pronounce, and they must not be offensive or controversial. They are also chosen from a variety of languages so that people from different regions can identify with them.