Cyclone Asani in Bay of Bengal to intensify into severe storm in next 24 hours

The deep depression over the southeast Bay of Bengal on May 8 moved west-northwestwards with a speed of 16 kmph during the past six hours but Cyclone Asani is expected to fizzle out next week without making a landfall

Northern Andhra Pradesh and Odisha coasts are expected to experience heavy winds and rains from Tuesday. | Photo Credit: Biswaranjan Rout

The deep depression over the southeast Bay of Bengal on May 8 moved west-northwestwards with a speed of 16 kmph during the past six hours and intensified into a cyclonic storm ‘Asani’ (pronounced as Asani), IMD said.

The system lay centred at 5.30 a.m. over southeast Bay of Bengal, about 450 km west-northwest of Car Nicobar (Nicobar Islands), 380 km west of Port Blair (Andaman Islands), 970 km southeast of Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) and 1030 km south-southeast of Puri (Odisha).

“It is very likely to move northwestwards and intensify further into a severe cyclonic storm over the east-central Bay of Bengal during next 24 hours,” the India Meteorological Department said adding that the system is very likely to continue to move northwestwards till May 10th evening and reach west-central and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal off north Andhra Pradesh and Odisha coasts.

Deep Depression over intensified into a cyclonic storm 'Asani' about380 km west of Port Blair (Andaman Islands).To move northwestwards and intensify further into a Severe Cyclonic Storm over east central Bay of Bengal during next 24 hours pic.twitter.com/3AkJAtHIxw

— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) May 8, 2022

According to the track of the cyclone forecast by IMD, the cyclone was very likely to continue to move northwestwards till May 10 evening and reach west central and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal off north Andhra Pradesh and Odisha coasts.

“Thereafter, it is very likely to recurve north-northeastwards and move towards the northwest Bay of Bengal off Odisha coast,” it said.

According to the cyclone trackers, the weather system is expected to be at its strongest, packing a wind speed of 60 knots (111 km per hour), on Monday with its fury on full display in the Bay of Bengal.

The severe cyclonic storm is expected to start weakening gradually from Tuesday as it moves towards the coasts of northern Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.

Coastal districts of Odisha and the southern part of West Bengal, including the State capital Kolkata, are likely to be lashed by light to moderate rain from Tuesday, the IMD said.

Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea and along and off West Bengal and Odisha coasts from May 10 till further notice.

The sea conditions near the Odisha coast will become rough on May 9 and rougher on May 10. The wind speed in the sea will increase to 80-90 kmph on May 10.