New Delhi: The year's first cyclone is brewing in the Bay of Bengal which is likely to hit Andaman and Nicobar Island, an advisory on Saturday by the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Administration was sent out to fishermen asking not to head out into the sea between March 19 & 22.
The National Disaster Response Force personnel have been deployed and are ready at different places with all necessary equipment to carry out search and rescue operations for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Administration said according to ANI.
"Fishermen are strongly advised not to venture into the sea during the period of Cyclone Asani," the Andaman and Nicobar Administration tweeted on Saturday morning.
Forecast of Cyclone Asani
The India Meteorological Department on Thursday said that the year's first cyclone will develop around March 21 in the Bay of Bengal. According to IMD’s experimental pre-genesis intensity forecast and wind distribution track, the low-pressure area (LPA) over Southeast Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a depression by March 20 morning and turn into a cyclonic storm on March 21.
It will then move along and off the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and reach the Bangladesh-north Myanmar coasts on March 22.
"LPA over central parts of south Bay of Bengal become WML on March 19 along and off the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, intensify into a depression by the morning of March 20 and into a cyclonic storm on March 21. To move nearly north-northeastwards and reach near Bangladesh-north Myanmar coasts on March 22," the national weather forecasting agency tweeted on March 17.
It also predicted light to moderate rainfall or thundershower at most places of the Islands with heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places on Saturday with squally winds speed reaching 45-55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph.
"Sea condition is very likely to become rough to very rough over Andaman Sea and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal during March 19. It would become very rough over the same region on March 20," IMD said.
Island Control Rooms Activated
Due to the forecast, the Islands Administration has activated emergency control rooms. Chief Secretary Jitendra Narain on Friday reviewed the Union Territory-level preparations to face Cyclone Asani. All officers were directed to take every effort to ensure the safety of all citizens.
On March 17, Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla reviewed the preparedness of Central Ministries and Agencies and administration of Andaman and Nicobar Islands in view of the impending cyclone in the Bay of Bengal. Central Ministries and Agencies to keep regular watch and be in touch with the Andaman and Nicobar administration to handle any situation.
Fishing, shipping, tourism activities have been stopped. Indian Army, Navy, Air Force and Indian Coast Guard on stand by. Central Ministries ready with assistance if required, Ministry of Home Affairs had said in a statement.