Brewing March Storm To Intensify Into Cyclone Asani In 12 Hours; Check Details

Bhubaneswar: The depression over north Andaman Sea and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal has intensified into a deep depression. The system has moved 20 km/hr in the last 6 hrs and now lies over the north Andaman Sea and adjoining SE Bay of Bengal, about 140 km east-northeast of Port Blair. It is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm during the next 12 hours, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) informed on Monday. 

Check the expected track and intensity:

Notably, it is after almost two decades that the Indian Ocean will see a storm in the month of March. If the system intensifies into a cyclonic storm, it will be called ‘Cyclone Asani’, a name given by Sri Lanka.

Tweeting about this rare March storm, senior meteorologist Jason Nicholls said Asani is expected to strike Myanmar around Tuesday. “Flooding rains will be the main threat,” he added.

The IMD has predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places over the Andaman and Nicobar Islands with isolated extremely heavy rainfall likely over the Nicobar Islands.

“Asani may weaken before landfall but when its intensity is of a cyclone, it will be very close to Andaman & Nicobar Islands. So, we are expecting widespread heavy rains and strong winds to affect the islands,” a senior official was quoted as saying by HT.

National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel have been deployed and are ready at different places with all necessary equipment to carry out search and rescue operations.

According to the latest meteorological analysis, the current system will have no direct impact on Odisha.

The Met office has, however, forecast light to moderate rain or thundershower at one or two places in Ganjam, Gajapati and Rayagada on March 21. One or two places in Ganjam, Gajapati, Kandhamal, Rayagada, Malkangiri, Koraput, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Bhadrak and Balasore are likely to experience rain during the subsequent 24 hours.

On March 23, light to moderate rain or thundershower is also likely at one or two places in Coastal Odisha, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Dhenkanal, Kandhamal, Rayagada, Malkangiri and Koraput.

Also Read: ‘Cyclone Asani’ Brewing In Bay Of Bengal: Who Named This Cyclone & What Does It Mean?