Cyclone Asani to bring heavy rain to Andhra, Bengal, Odisha from Tuesday: IMD

The deep depression over the southeast Bay of Bengal moved towards west-northwest at a speed of 16 kmph during the past six hours and intensified into a cyclonic storm ‘Asani’, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Sunday morning (May 8).

According to a press release issued by the IMD at 9 am on Sunday, parts of Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, and Odisha are likely to receive heavy rainfall from Tuesday (May 10). Earlier, it had said that the Cyclone Asani will not make landfall.

Deep Depression over intensified into a cyclonic storm ‘Asani’ about380 km west of Port Blair (Andaman Islands).To move northwestwards and intensify further into a Severe Cyclonic Storm over east central Bay of Bengal during next 24 hours pic.twitter.com/3AkJAtHIxw

— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) May 8, 2022

“The cyclonic storm lay centred at 0530 hours IST of today, 8 May, over Southeast Bay of Bengal near latitude 11.2°N and longitude 89.3°E, about 450 km west-northwest of Car Nicobar (Nicobar Islands), 380 km west of Port Blair (Andaman Islands), 970 km southeast of Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) and 1030 km south-southeast of Puri (Odisha),” the weather office said.

“It is very likely to move northwestwards and intensify further into a Severe Cyclonic Storm over the east-central Bay of Bengal during next 24 hours. It is very likely to continue to move northwest wards till 10 May evening and reach West-central and adjoining Northwest Bay of Bengal off North Andhra Pradesh & Odisha coasts. Thereafter, it is very likely to recurve north-northeast wards and move towards Northwest Bay of Bengal off Odisha coast,” it added.

Rainfall warning

For 10 May, the IMD said, “Light to moderate rainfall likely at a few places with heavy rainfall (64.5 to 115.5mm) at isolated places over coastal Odisha and adjoining areas of north coastal Andhra Pradesh from 10th evening.”

On 11 May, there will be rain at a few places with heavy rainfall at isolated places likely over coastal Odisha and adjoining coastal areas of north Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal. And on 12 May, light to moderate rainfall likely at a few places over coastal areas of Odisha and West Bengal, the IMD said.

Wind warning

8 May: Gale wind speed reaching 70-80 kmph gusting to 90 kmph is likely to prevail over Southeast & adjoining East-central Bay of Bengal and would gradually increase reaching 95-105 kmph gusting to 115 kmph over the same region during 8 May night.

9 May: Gale wind speed reaching 105-115 kmph gusting to 125 kmph is likely to prevail over central parts of Bay of Bengal.

10 May: Gale wind speed reaching 95-105 kmph gusting to 115 kmph is likely to prevail around the system centre over west-central and adjoining Northwest Bay of Bengal. Squally wind speed reaching 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph is likely along and off north Andhra Pradesh coast.

11 May: Gale wind speed reaching 80-90 kmph gusting to 100 kmph is likely to prevail over northwest and adjoining the west-central Bay of Bengal. Squally wind speed reaching 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph is likely along and off Odisha and adjoining north Andhra Pradesh coasts.

12 May: Gale wind speed reaching 60-70 kmph gusting to 80 kmph is likely to prevail over northwest Bay of Bengal. Squally wind speed reaching 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph is likely along and off the Odisha coast.

Sea condition

8 May: Sea condition is very likely to become high to very high over Southeast & adjoining east-central Bay of Bengal. The sea condition over the Andaman Sea would gradually improve becoming rough.

9 May: Sea condition is likely to become high to very high over central parts of the Bay of Bengal.

10 May: Sea condition is likely to become high to very high over west-central and adjoining northwest and the east-central Bay of Bengal.

11 May: Sea condition is likely to become high to very high over Northwest and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal.

12 May: Sea condition is likely to become high to very high over Northwest Bay of Bengal.

Warning for fishermen

“Fishermen are advised not to venture into the east-central and southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining the Andaman Sea on 8 May. Fishermen are advised not to venture into central parts of the Bay of Bengal on 9 and 10 May and over Northwest Bay of Bengal from 10 May to 12 May. Fishermen out at sea are advised to return to the coast,” IMD said.

For Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the met department advised total suspension of fishing and tourism activities.

“Check for traffic congestion on your route before leaving for your destination. Follow any traffic advisories that are issued in this regard. Avoid going to areas that face the waterlogging problems often. Avoid staying in vulnerable structures. Regulate off-shore activities,” it said.