Cyclone Asani Intensifies Into a ‘SEVERE’ Cyclonic Storm; Bengal, Odisha on High Alert; Heavy Rainfall Likely in These States

At 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, Cyclone 'Asani' had grown into a strong cyclonic storm over Southeast Bay of Bengal, roughly 610 km northwest of Car Nicobar (Nicobar Islands), according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

The cyclonic storm is expected to travel northwestwards until the evening of May 10th, reaching west-central and neighboring Northwest Bay of Bengal off the shores of North Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. Following that, the weather forecasting agency predicted that it would recurve northeastwards and proceed towards the Northwest Bay of Bengal off the coast of Odisha.

From May 10th evening, the IMD predicts a fair to moderate rainfall with isolated heavy rainfall across coastal Odisha and surrounding parts of north coastal Andhra Pradesh. The weather office has expected moderate to heavy rainfall on May 11 along the coasts of Odisha and north Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal.

It has been predicted the storm will be a deep depression again by the evening of May 11 when it approaches south of Puri. It would weaken from a cyclonic storm to a deep depression. An IMD official said, "We don't expect extremely strong winds, maybe 40-60 km/h”.

The IMD predicted that the storm will not hit Andhra Pradesh or Odisha on Saturday. "It (the cyclone) is highly likely to recurve north-northeastwards and travel into the Northwest Bay of Bengal off the coast of Odisha," the weather service stated in a daily report.

With the threat of heavy rain from a cyclonic storm, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh have issued warnings to their coastal areas. The Odisha government has activated 175 fire units and canceled officials' leave. From May 10 to 12, Odisha is expected to receive moderate to heavy rainfall, while West Bengal is expected to see heavy rain on May 11 and 12.

Heavy rain (64.4mm to 115.5mm in 24 hours) is forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday, putting Odisha on high alert. Thunderstorms, lightning, and light rain are expected in Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Sikkim until May 12 as a result of the Bay of Bengal system.

Disaster management teams, police, and KMC employees in West Bengal have been instructed to remain vigilant.

At strategic sites, boats have been deployed. The SDRF and NDRF, as well as the Coast Guard and Navy, have been notified.