Bhubaneswar: The depression over southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining south Andaman Sea, moved north northeastwards at a speed of 12 kmph and lay centered over the same region at 11.30 am on Sunday, the India Meteorological Department said.
The system is about 140 km south of Port Blair (Andaman Islands) and 800 km south-southwest of Yangon (Myanmar). It is likely to move nearly northwards along and off Andaman & Nicobar Islands, intensify into a deep depression during the next 24 hours and into a cyclonic storm during the subsequent 12 hours.
Check the expected track and intensity:
Tweeting about this rare March storm, senior meteorologist Jason Nicholls said that the depression near the Andaman and Nicobar Islands will become a deep depression and then Cyclonic Storm Asani in the next day or two. “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 in 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.
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?
