'Asani' Likely To Intensify Further Into Severe Cyclonic Storm In 24 Hrs, Won't Make Landfall In Odisha Or AP: IMD

It is predicted as the first cyclonic storm of the season since similar weather system in March had fizzled out before it could acquire the strength of a cyclone

New Delhi: India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Sunday stated that Cyclonic storm ‘Asani’ is very likely to move northwestwards and intensify further into a severe cyclonic storm over the east-central Bay of Bengal during the next 24 hours. It is very likely to reach North Andhra Pradesh and Odisha coasts on May 10. Rainfall will begin on May 10 in the evening, yellow warning for rainfall has been issued for three districts - Gajpati, Ganjam and Puri, said Umashankar Das, senior scientist, IMD, Bhubaneswar.

On May 11, heavy rainfall warning has been issued for five districts including Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, Cuttack & Ganjam, added Das, according to news agency ANI. 

Notably, IMD on Saturday offered a huge relief to residents and administration in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh as the weather department informed that the cyclonic storm brewing in the Bay of Bengal will not make landfall in either region, but will move parallel to the coast, reported news agency PTI.

What’s the cyclonic condition?

As the systems intensified into a cyclone, it was named Asani, Sinhalese for 'wrath'. It was predicted as the first cyclonic storm of the season since a similar weather system in March had fizzled out before it could acquire the strength of a cyclone.

"The deep depression has intensified into a cyclonic storm named 'Asani'. It's moving at 16kmph in northwest direction. It is at 970 km in southeast direction from Vishakapatnam  & 1020 km in southeast direction from Puri," Umashankar Das, Senior Scientist, IMD, Bhubaneswar informed.

"We are expecting it will move in northwest direction till 10th May evening. Possibility, it'll further intensify into a severe cyclonic storm in the next 24 hours. There's no possibility of making landfall, it will recurve and move parallel to Odisha coast," he added.

Which places are to be affected?

All coastal districts of Odisha and the southern part of West Bengal, including the state capital Kolkata, are likely to receive light to moderate rain from Tuesday, the IMD said.

The coastal districts in Odisha including Ganjam, Gajapati, Khurda, Jagatsinghpur, and Puri will receive light to moderate rainfall after May 10 evening, informed Met department head in Kolkata Sanjib Bandyopadhyay.

What measures have been taken?

The sea conditions near the Odisha coast will become rough on May 9 and rougher on May 10. The wind speed in the sea will increase to 80-90 kmph on May 10.

In view of the expected cyclic conditions, fishermen have been advised to stay away from the sea and off West Bengal and Odisha coasts from May 10 till further notice, said Bandyopadhyay.

However, the state governments have taken all precautionary measures to deal with the possible situation. Even as the cyclone will not make landfall, the Odisha government is geared up to deal with the possible situation and kept cyclone shelters ready to house as many as 7.5 lakh people, if evacuated for the purpose.

"The windy conditions will prevail till May 11 and reduce thereafter," Mohapatra said. The Coast Guard units are broadcasting weather warnings through Radar Operating Stations in Odisha's Paradip.

Odisha Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) PK Jena said arrangements are underway for evacuating almost 7.5 lakh people in 18 districts if any emergency situation arises out of the impending cyclonic storm. Director-General of Fire Service, SK Upadhaya, said that the department is all prepared for rescue and relief operations with the latest equipment in the wake of a cyclone.

In West Bengal, Chief Secretary HK Dwivedi held a meeting with senior officials of departments of the state disaster, agriculture, irrigation and power in connection with the preparations of the state government in connection with the possible cyclone.