Following a string of heat waves, the Indian Meteorological Department has issued a warning about Cyclone Asani over the Bay of Bengal. Chakravarti toofan is unlikely to cross the coastal area to land. In the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, there may be heavy rainfall and strong winds. A cyclone is expected to hit on March 21st.
The Bay of Bengal appears to be all set to host this year's first tropical cyclone later this week, which will impact Andaman & Nicobar islands between ~19 & 20 March 2022. Expect damage due to strong winds, heavy rains and rough sea conditions in the region. #CycloneAsani pic.twitter.com/HkCzSp3JLh
— Dr Akshay Deoras (@akshaydeoras) March 15, 2022
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands haven’t been hit by a tropical cyclone in 132 years.
#Heatwave prevailing over central #India from west to east, #Rajasthan to #Odisha,while isolated rain in extreme S of India.
Yesterday #Punalur in #Kerala recived 69 mm of #Heavy rain.
A #LowPressureArea on South Bay likely to became a #Cyclone & name #Asani & will hit Myanmar. pic.twitter.com/T8t5WKwrMK— Cyclone Analysers (@CycloneAnalyser) March 17, 2022
Cyclone Asani may also hit coastal areas of Odisha. A cyclone in March is quite unusual. Since the 1900s, only five March Cyclones have been reported, the last one about two decades ago. Odisha could expect heavy rainfall and wind gusts of 70-80 km/hr, according to experts.
According to an ANI report, the Ministry of MHA is reviewing the preparedness in high-alert areas on Nicobar. According to an official statement by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the government has deployed one National Disaster Response Team (NDRF) to Port Blair. All activities in the island, including fishing, tourism, and shipping, have been suspended. Indian Army, Naval forces and the Indian Coastal Guard are on standby.
IMD had predicted that the cyclone would move towards Bangladesh and Myanmar last week. However, the winds have no wings. Northeast and East India remain vulnerable to Asani’s effects.
Sri Lanka named the cyclone Asani.