IMD Chief Speaks About ‘Possible Cyclone Asani’ As Odisha Begins Preparations

Bhubaneswar: The ongoing rain and thunderstorm activity in Odisha is due to Nor’wester as the cyclonic circulation is currently situation far away from the state, said India Meteorological Department (IMD) DG Mrutyunjay Mohapatra on Thursday.

“A low-pressure area is likely to form over South Andaman Sea and the neighbourhood on May 6 as the clouds have started assembling. It will subsequently move in the northwest direction and intensify into a depression around the Bay of Bengal region by May 8,” he said.

The IMD has forecast squall with wind speed reaching 55-65 kmph gusting to 75 kmph over north Andaman Sea and adjoining southeast and eastcentral Bay of Bengal and speed reaching 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph over South Andaman Sea on May 8.

“We have not made any forecast on the possibility of the system intensifying into a cyclone. The further path of the system can only be ascertained after it intensifies into a low pressure and a clear picture can emerge thereafter,” he clarified.

According to Centre for Environment and Climate (CEC), SOA University, director Sarat Sahu, the current conditions like the sea surface temperature are favourable for the formation of a cyclonic storm. He, however, said that more clarity regarding the path and intensity will emerge on May 7.

“Growing genesis potential is pointing towards tropical cyclone formation over the Bay of Bengal.  Elevated probabilities of cyclogenesis suggest further up-gradation of the category of storm as it will travel over warm waters of the ocean under favourable environmental conditions. The longer the stay, the more are the chances for this weather system to sustain incremental growth over the next few days,” Skymet weather agency said.

Also Read: 4th Successive Cyclone In May! Odisha, Bengal Or Bangladesh; Check Weather Models

While there has been an appreciable increase in the frequency of tropical storms from April to May, these systems are known for deviating the specified norms, but the defiance is extreme during the month of May, it added.

Also Read: ‘Asani’ Developing Over Bay Of Bengal! Who Named The Cyclone & What Does It Mean?

Senior Meteorologist Jason Nicholls said that the low pressure is expected to form near the Andaman & Nicobar Islands around Friday. “It can become a depression or cyclone over the Bay of Bengal this weekend or early next week. “Areas from Andhra Pradesh to WestBengal & Bangladesh need to monitor for possible impacts,” he added.

.Meanwhile, Odisha has put 18 districts – Ganjam, Gajapati, Khurda, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapada, Jajpur, Bhadrak, Balasore, Nayagrah, Cuttack, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Malkangiri, Rayagada, Koraput, Dhenkanal, Puri and Kandhamal – on alert. “Odisha government is always ready to tackle cyclone. Collectors have been directed to remain at ground level. Once IMD clears the movement of the possible cyclone, landfall, rain and wind speed, preparations to be intensified further,” said Revenue & Disaster Management Minister Sudam Marndi. 

Also Read: Collectors Of 18 Odisha Districts Put On Alert; Here’s Preparedness Checklist

Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Pradeep Jena is also holding a meeting on the preparedness with collectors of 18 districts via video conference. The focus is on emergency operation centres, shifting of people to safer places, and the readiness of cyclone shelters and temporary cyclone shelters.