[Watch] Know What IMD DG Mrutyunjay Mohapatra Has to Say About ‘Cyclone Asani’, Its Landfall & Wind Speed

Bhubaneswar: The low-pressure in Southwest Bay Of Bengal and Equatorial Indian Ocean moved eastward and is centered around the central part of south Bay of Bengal, India Meteorological Department (IMD) DG Mrutyunjay Mohapatra informed on Wednesday.

Speaking to ANI, he said that the system will become well-marked and lie Southeast of the Bay of Bengal and the South Andaman Sea and Nicobar Island by March 19 morning.

“After that, there will be a change in its direction and the system will gradually head in the north-northwestward near Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It is likely to intensify into a depression on March 20 and develop into a cyclonic storm by March 21,” he said.

If the system intensifies into a cyclonic storm, it will be called ‘Cyclone Asani’,  a name is given by Sri Lanka.

The system is then expected to move in the north-northeastward direction and reach Bangladesh and Myanmar’s coast by March 23 evening, he said.

“Under its influence, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the nearby areas will experience squally weather from March 18 with a wind speed of 40 to 50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph. The wind speed will increase in these areas from March 19 and reach 90 kmph on March 23,” the IMD DG said.

He said that the system is unlikely to turn severe and is likely to be a cyclonic storm of wind speed of 70 kmph to 80 kmph gusting to 90 kmph.

Also Read: ‘Cyclone Asani’ Brewing In Bay Of Bengal! Latest IMD Model Indicates Movement Towards Odisha

“Andaman and Nicobar islands will experience heavy to extremely heavy rainfall from March 19-21. Fishermen are advised not to venture into the southern part of South Bay of Bengal, southeast Bay of Bengal & Andaman Sea,” he said.

The IMD DG also cautioned tourists, visiting Andaman and Nicobar Islands, against venturing into the sea.

On the possible impact of the system on Odisha, he said that it is unlikely to have any impact on the state during the course of its movement.