Cyclone Asani May Brush Past Andhra Coast, Heavy Rain In Odisha From Tonight

Bhubaneswar: Cyclone Asani has already gone past the stage of maximum intensification and it is likely to gradually weaken. After nearing Andhra Pradesh coast this evening, the system will change its course and travel along/off Odisha coast, India Meteorological Department (IMD) DG Mrutyunjay Mohapatra told the media on Tuesday.

“From severe cyclonic storm, the system is likely to become cyclonic storm by tomorrow. Gradually, it will turn into a deep depression and depression by May 12. Under its influence, the surface wind speed in the sea will be around 50-60kmph. Similarly, some parts of coastal districts will experience moderate to heavy rainfall from today,” he said.

According to the MeT office, heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely at a few places with isolated extremely heavy falls over north coastal AP and heavy rainfall at isolated places over coastal Odisha from Tuesday night. Heavy rainfall is very likely to occur at one or two places in Malkangiri, Koraput, Gajapati, Ganjam and Puri in the next 24 hours.

Also Read: Eye Of Severe Cyclonic Storm Asani Visible, ‘Weak System’ To Cross Odisha Coast Near Gopalpur

Light to moderate rainfall is likely at a few places with heavy rainfall at isolated places over coastal areas of Odisha and West Bengal on May 12. Squally wind speed reaching 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph is likely to continue along and off Odisha coast till May 12.

“The cyclone is now moving very very slowly and is expected to linger on over that area for some time, which means more rain and thundershower tomorrow and day after tomorrow, but slightly on a lighter note,” private weather forecaster Skymet said.

According to tracks suggested by several weather agencies and models, cyclone Asani may touch the Andhra coast. It was earlier predicted that the system is unlikely to touch the land.

The IMD said that the severe cyclonic storm over westcentral and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal has moved west-northwest with a speed of 25 kmph during the past 6 hours and lay centered at 11.30 am, 530 km southwest of Gopalpur and 630 km southwest of Puri. It is very likely to reach westcentral Bay of Bengal close to the Kakinada-Vishakhapatnam coasts by May 11 morning.

The Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) of the United States has forecast landfall near Gudivada in Andhra Pradesh. “The cyclonic storm may make landfall within the next 24 hours near the eastern India coast between Gudivada and exit near Visakhapatnam. Once the system finally exits back into the Bay of Bengal, it will encounter warm water. However, it will be offset by a sharp drop in ocean heat content and drier offshore flow with increasing vertical wind shear. The shear will ultimately weaken the low-level vortex as it drifts to the north in the northern Bay of Bengal,” the JTWC said.

Senior Meteorologist Jason Nicholls tweeted: “Severe Cyclonic Storm Asani will brush the northeast coast of Andhra Pradesh before turning NE and rapidly weakening starting Tuesday night or Wednesday. Heavy rain and gusty winds likely along the coast of Andhra Pradesh & NE coast of Tamil Nadu into Thursday.” 

Rainfall Warning for Odisha

May 10

• Heavy rainfall 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, at a few places in Mayurbhanj, Dhenkanal, Kandhamal, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri and at one or two places in the rest of Odisha.

May 11

• Heavy rainfall is very likely to occur at one or two places in Gajapati, Ganjam, Khordha, Puri, Jagatsinghpur and Cuttack.
• Light to moderate rain or thundershower is very likely to occur at most places in coastal Odisha and at a few places in interior Odisha.

May 12

• Heavy rainfall 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 in interior Odisha.

The IMD has advised for suspension of fishing operations over westcentral Bay of Bengal on May 10 and 11 and over northwest Bay of Bengal from May 10-12 and State Relief Commissioner (SRC) Pradeep Jena has warned fishermen of action for violating the advisory.