Cyclone Laila that wreaked havoc in Andhra Pradesh got its rather romantic name because it was suggested by Pakistan to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

Laila 'O' Laila

Cyclone Laila that wreaked havoc in Andhra Pradesh got its rather romantic name because it was suggested by Pakistan to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

The IMD is tasked by the World Meteorological Organisation to track and name cyclones in the northern Indian Ocean.

For those asking why a cyclone would need to have a name, meteorologists for easy identification and analysis of storm systems started the convention of naming cyclones.
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They are now named as per the procedure laid down by the World Meteorological Organisation.

Whether a Page 3 cyclone scoffs, "Oh, that is such a plain Jane hurricane, darling"

Reports say that the next cyclonic storm would be called Bandu, as suggested by Sri Lanka. So, as winds scream all around the south, rains lash Andhra Pradesh and hi-velocity takes on a new definition altogether this columnist is wondering ufffd

Whether the IMD would one day release the Giant Book of Cyclone Names like the Giant Book of Baby Names.
Whether the hi-speed winds that accompany a cyclone can also have names like Pawan Muktopadhyay.
Whether a cyclone sees another one and shrieks, "Hey I have just been (cy)cloned."
Whether Sridevi's funny Mr India number, Hawa Hawaeeee could become the anthem for the India Meteorological Department.

u00a0Whether a cyclone has no option but to give a blow-by-blow account of things.u00a0 Whether we would name cyclones after actors and cricketers in our cricketainment obsessed country.

Whether a cyclone could be named Cyclone Lalit (Modi) if it hits the walls of the Board of Control for Cricket in India headquarters at Wankhede?

Whether we will have a cyclone Sallu (Salman) blowing over Abhishek-Aishwarya's house, gathering momentum and landing at Katrina Kaif's door trying to break it down.

Why a cyclone that twists and turns cannot be called cyclone Saroj (Khan) in honour of the choreographer who has the courage of her contortions?

Whether one cyclone asks another, "Hey my favourite movie is Gone With the Wind, what's yours?"

Whether a cyclone would ever have trouble blowing out all the candles on its birthday cake?

Whether a tired cyclone is known as a sigh-clone.

Whether an X-rated cyclone is always wet 'n' wild.

Why cyclone Laila is hitting the Andhra coast? Is it because cylone Laila has had a lover's tiff with cyclone Majnu?

Why are you reading this tripe, anyway?

Hemal Ashar is an Assistant Editor, MiD DAY