New Delhi: Severe Cyclone Asani is likely to touch the coastal belt in Andhra Pradesh between Visakhapatnam and Kakinada on Wednesday morning. India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a "Red Alert" for Andhra Pradesh. "It is expected to reach the west-central Bay of Bengal close to Kakinada or Vishakhapatnam by morning," said IMD Scientist, Sanjeev Dwivedi, as quoted by news agency ANI.
"Its recurve is possible after morning. It will then come towards the Odisha coast. Heavy to very heavy rainfall over Odisha is expected," Sanjeev told ANI.
Also read | Cyclone Asani Likely To Weaken, Won't Make Landfall In Odisha, Andhra Pradesh: IMD
As of Tuesday afternoon, severe cyclonic storm Asani lay centered about 210 km south-southeast of Kakinada and 310 km south-southwest of Visakhapatnam. After reaching the coast in Andhra Pradesh, it is expected to move along the coast northwards and weaken into a cyclonic storm. The IMD predicts that the storm would further weaken into a depression on Thursday morning.
Meanwhile, teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been deployed to conduct rescue operations and relief works in Andhra Pradesh. The Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) has asked people to remain alert in view of the forecast of heavy rains in the coastal regions.
On Tuesday, several flight in Visakhapatnam and Chennai have been cancelled in view of heavy downpour in the cities. IndiGo has announced cancellation of all its flights in and out of Visakhapatnam. AirAsia has cancelled Delhi-Visakhapatnam and Bangalore-Visakhapatnam flights, news agency IANS reported. Air India has also cancelled Mumbai-Raipur-Visakhapatnam and Delhi-Visakhapatnam flights.
Even before the storm has hit the shores, there has been an impact as heavy rains wreak havoc in the coastal cities of Andhra Pradesh. The heavy rains brought normal life to a standstill on Tuesday.