The Indian Meteorological Department has announced that it will now use Ashutosh’s typos to decide on names for cyclones or hurricanes. According to the current naming procedures, countries constituting a particular region (the North Indian Ocean in the case of India) each come up with a list of names that are sorted alphabetically and allotted to tropical storms occuring in the region.
(Image via indiatoday.intoday.in)
“The eight names India has contributed are so lame, yaar. Agni, Akash, Bijli, Jal…I mean, come on!” said IMD Chief Dr. L.S. Rathore. “The other countries in this region have come up with far sexier names, whether it be Bangladesh’s Cyclone Helen, or Sri Lanka’s Cyclone Rashmi or even Maldives’ Cyclone Keila. Look at how these names have a sense of mystery or engima about them! That’s why we decided to raise the stakes and bring in some enigma ourselves!”
The next few cyclones or hurricanes are likely to feature Hurricanes Masque, Ka, Ra and Y, after some of Ashutosh’s legendary words on Twitter. The World Meteorological Organization accepted these names in a special session convened for this purpose, and replaced India’s earlier choices in the list of names for tropical storms for the ongoing period. The body also decided that if there’s ever an E.L.E or Extinction Level Event originating in the Northern Indian Ocean, it would be named after Ashutosh himself.
“Essentially we are naming natural disasters after the works of a man-made disaster. So in that sense there certainly is a sense of appropriateness now,” Rathore added.
Rathore also claims that the new names would actually help them in disaster preparedness. “The primary purpose of naming a tropical cyclone or hurricane is to promote disaster risk awareness and improve preparedness. And what better way to warn people of disasters than name them after the words of Ashutosh!” said Rathore.
“The best part is, IMD can now focus on the real business of disaster preparedness instead of spending time trying to come up with names. All we need to do is follow Ashutosh on Twitter, and we’re set for life!” Rathore concluded.
(Based on an idea by Ashwin)