RAS question
In October 2025, India faced a rare dual-cyclone threat. What was the name of the cyclone developing over the Bay of Bengal?
Correct answer: (B) Cyclone Montha.
The cyclone developing over the Bay of Bengal in October 2025 was Cyclone Montha.
Explanation
Cyclone Montha was the Bay of Bengal system in this dual-cyclone situation. The IMD first described the Bay of Bengal disturbance as a depression over the southeast Bay of Bengal and forecast that it would strengthen into a deep depression by 26 October and into a cyclonic storm over the southwest and adjoining westcentral Bay of Bengal by 27 October morning. By 28 October, IMD's press release named it Severe Cyclonic Storm "Montha" over the westcentral Bay of Bengal. The same official release also referred to a separate depression over the eastcentral Arabian Sea, creating a rare simultaneous threat from both sides of peninsular India.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Cyclone Dana is wrong because the IMD release identifies the Bay of Bengal system in this episode as Montha, not Dana.
- (C) Cyclone Ditwah is wrong because Ditwah belongs to the Arabian Sea side of the dual threat, while the Bay of Bengal system was Montha.
- (D) Cyclone Remal is wrong because the official IMD release for this October 2025 event names the westcentral Bay of Bengal cyclone as Montha.
Concept
Tropical cyclone tracking around India requires distinguishing the Bay of Bengal from the Arabian Sea. Cyclone nomenclature, basin location and IMD warning language are standard geography-current affairs linkages in RAS.