Cyclone Asani, Year's First Cyclone, Likely To Form Over Bay Of Bengal On March 21

Cyclone Asani 2022: The IMD said Andaman and Nicobar Islands would see squally winds on Sunday and it would intensify to gale winds, gusting to 90 kmph on Monday.

Once it intensifies into a storm, the cyclone will be called Asani -- a name given by Sri Lanka (Getty Images)

Cyclone Asani 2022: The first cyclone of 2022 -- Cyclone Asani -- is likely to form over central Bay of Bengal on March 21. 

However, the India Meteorological Department said the cylone is unlikely to affect mainland India and will move past the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, bringing heavy rainfall on March 20 and 21.

The IMD said a low pressure area (LPA) brewing over central parts of south Bay of Bengal will become well-marked low pressure area (WML) on March 19 along the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

"It will intensify into a depression by morning of March 20 and into a cyclonic storm on March 21. It will move nearly north-northeastwards and reach near Bangladesh-north Myanmar coasts on March 22," the weather department said.

Once it intensifies into a storm, the cyclone will be called Asani -- a name given by Sri Lanka.

The IMD said Andaman and Nicobar Islands would see squally winds on Sunday and it would intensify to gale winds, with speeds reaching 70-80 km per hour, gusting to 90 kmph on Monday.

In a warning to fishermen, the weather department said the sea condition was very likely to become rough over southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining south Andaman Sea on Thursday and Friday.

Fishermen have been advised not to venture into central parts of south Bay of Bengal and adjoining Equatorial Indian Ocean on Wednesday and into southeast Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea area on Thursday and Friday.

It has also advised fishermen not to venture into Andaman Sea and along and off Andaman and Nicobar Islands during between Saturday and Tuesday.

The Union Home Secretary reviewed preparedness of rescue agencies and spoke with the administartion of Andaman and Nicobar in view of the impending cyclone. 

"One NDRF team has been stationed in Port Blair. Additional teams are ready, to be airlifted if required. Andaman & Nicobar administration is ready with sufficient stocks of emergency supplies and measures to protect population and restoration of infrastructure," ANI quoted the Home Ministry as saying.