Cyclone Asani: Andaman & Nicobar Islands To Receive Heavy Rain, Strong Winds On Monday, Says IMD

According to IMD scientists, the depression over the Southeast and South Andaman sea was moving towards the north with the speed of 12 kilometres per hour, by Saturday evening.

Cyclone Asani | PTI

New Delhi: The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are expected to experience heavy rain and strong winds on Monday, March 21. India Meteorological Department scientist R K Janamani said that this is expected to occur as depression over the Bay of Bengal approaches towards the North, news agency ANI reported. 

"So far it is a depression which will intensify into a deep depression by Monday morning and it will further intensify into a cyclonic storm by Monday evening. If it emerges into a cyclonic storm then it will be known as Cyclone Asani," an ANI report quoted Janamani as saying. 

According to IMD scientists, the depression over the Southeast and South Andaman sea was moving towards the north with the speed of 12 kilometres per hour, by Saturday evening. 

"The Depression over the southeast Bay of Bengal, about 200km of north northeast of Car Nicobar (northern part of Nicobar Islands) and 100 km of south-southeast of Port Blair (Andaman Islands), will intensify into a deep depression in the next 12 hours and further into a cyclonic storm," Janamani said.

According to the ANI report, arrangements for search and rescue operations have been made. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel have been deployed at different places, where they are ready with all necessary equipment.

Fishermen are being shepherded out at sea by Indian Coast Guard ships. Also, the ships were issuing weather warnings on Sunday afternoon ahead of the upcoming Cyclone Asani. A halt has been put to tourism and shipping activities, and fishermen have been advised to return from sea. 

The Indian Army, Navy, Air Force and Indian Coast Guard are ready for deployment when needed. The Ministry of Home Affairs stated that Central Ministries are ready with assistance if required.