Cyclone Asani: Heavy Rain To Lash 5 Districts, Odisha Deploys 60 ODRAF Teams

Bhubaneswar: While five districts in Odisha have been put on high alert following IMD’s latest forecast on the track and intensity of Cyclone Asani that may recurve after coming close to Kakinada coast in Andhra Pradesh on May 11 morning, Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Pradeep Jena on Tuesday said that the system over the Bay of Bengal is unlikely to move closer to Odisha coast before May 13 morning.

“It is being expected that it would have weakened into a depression by then. Medium to heavy rain is expected under the impact of the approaching cyclone in Koraput, Gajapati, Ganjam, Malkangiri and Rayagada starting tomorrow (May 11),” he informed.

Jena further informed that 60 ODRAF teams and 132 teams of Fire Service personnel have also been deployed in the coastal districts considering the emerging situation. “Six ODRAF and 13 Fire Service teams were deployed in Malkangiri, six ODRAF and 12 Fire Service teams in Koraput, six ODRAF and 30 Fire Service teams in Ganjam, three ODRAF and 10 Fire Service teams in Gajapati, and three ODRAF and eight Fire Service teams in Rayagada districts,” he said.

Also Read: Andhra To Face Cyclone Asani Fury? Check IMD & JTWC Forecast

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has also earmarked 50 teams for West Bengal, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. Of them, 22 teams are deployed on the ground while 28 self-contained are on alert within the states to tackle the situation. While 12 teams have been deployed in the coastal districts of West Bengal, nine are in Andhra Pradesh. and one in Balasore, Odisha.

According to IMD, the severe cyclonic storm over westcentral and adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal moved northwestwards with a speed of 23 kmph during the past 6 hours and lay centered at 2.30 pm over westcentral Bay of Bengal, about 210 km southwest of Kakinada (Andhra Pradesh), 310 km south-southwest of Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh), 590 km southwest of Gopalpur (Odisha) and 640 km southwest of Puri (Odisha).

Also Read: 5 Districts On High Alert For Cyclone Asani, Odisha Chief Secy Informs Union Home Ministry

“It is very likely to move nearly northwestwards and reach westcentral Bay of Bengal close to Kakinada-Visakhapatnam coasts by May 11 morning. Thereafter, it is very likely to recurve slowly north-northeastwards and move along Andhra Pradesh coast between Kakinada and Visakhapatnam and then emerge into northwest Bay of Bengal off North Andhra Pradesh and Odisha coasts. It is likely to weaken gradually into a cyclonic storm by May 11 morning and into a depression by May 12 morning,” it added.

The rainfall intensity in Odisha is likely to increase in coastal districts from Tuesday night with heavy spells of 7-20 cm at some places.

Rainfall Warning

May 10

• Heavy rainfall (7-11 cm)is very likely to occur at one or two places in Malkangiri, Koraput, Gajapati, Ganjam and Puri.
• Light to moderate rain or thundershower is very likely to occur at many places in coastal Odisha, Rayagada, Malkangiri, Koraput

May 11

• Heavy to very heavy rainfall (7 – 20cm) at isolated places in Gajapati, Ganjam and Puri and heavy rainfall (7-11 cm) is very likely to occur at one or two places in Koraput, Rayagada, Khurda, Jagatsinghpur and Cuttack.
• Light to moderate rain or thundershower is very likely to occur at most places in coastal Odisha, Malkangiri, Koraput and Rayagada and at a few places in the remaining districts of the state.

May 12

• Heavy rainfall (7-11cm) is very likely to occur at one or two places in Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Kendrapada, Bhadrak and Balasore.
• Light to moderate rain or thundershower is very likely to occur at many places in coastal Odisha and at a few places over districts of interior Odisha.

May 13

Light to moderate rain or thundershower is very likely to occur at a few places in coastal Odisha, north interior Odisha and at isolated places over south interior districts.

Wind Warning

Squally wind speed reaching 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph is likely to continue along and off Odisha coast during May 10-12.

Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea till May 12.