Cyclone Asani Intensifies into Severe Storm; Three States on Alert | Key Points

Cyclone Asani, formed over the southeast Bay of Bengal, further intensified into a ‘severe’ cyclonic storm at 5.30 pm on Sunday as it moved northwestwards in the direction of north Andhra Pradesh-Odisha coasts, said the India Meteorological Department. The cyclone is expected to get stronger, but will not be making a landfall and fizzle out next week.

“Cyclonic storm ‘Asani’ intensified into a severe cyclonic storm at 1730 hours IST of today, the 8th May,over Southeast BoB, about 610 km northwest of Car Nicobar (Nicobar Islands).To move NW till 10th May night & reach Westcentral NW BoB off North Andhra Pradesh & Odisha coast,” the IMD tweeted.

Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and West Bengal are on alert as under the influence of the cyclone, coastal areas are expected to experience heavy winds and rains from the evening of May 10, said IMD director-general Mrutunjay Mohaptra. He added that the system will not make landfall either in Odisha or Andhra Pradesh.

The severe cyclone, on reaching west-central and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal off north Andhra Pradesh-Odisha coasts on May 10, is very likely to recurve north-northeast wards and move towards northwest Bay of Bengal off Odisha coast, the Met said.

The severe cyclonic storm is very likely to lose some steam thereafter and turn into a cyclonic storm on May 11 and further into a deep depression on May 12, the IMD said in its forecast of Asani’s track and intensity.

Here’s all you need to know about Cyclone Asani:

1. Kolkata taking lessons from AmphanWhile Asani is unlikely to hit Kolkata, the storm will bring heavy rains. Leaves of all KMC employees concerned have been cancelled to deal with any emergency situation that arises. “We are, however, making preparations to deal with any eventuality if the cyclone hits the city so that life is brought back to normal as soon as possible,” Hakim said. The city will be taking lessons from the devastating effect of the “super cyclone” Amphan in May 2020. The KMC administration is keeping cranes, electric saws and earthmovers on standby to clear blockades caused by fallen trees and other debris. A control room will be operational during Asani’s movement.
2. Odisha not lowering guard, prepared for AsaniThe Odisha government said it has not lowered its guard even after getting information that the cyclone will not hit the state’s coast. The state was prepared to evacuate 7.5 lakh people if need be, said special relief commissioner PK Jena. While there is no fear of a flood-like situation in Odisha,  state disaster teams are ready in Ganjam, Puri, Astarang, Jagatsinghpur and Kendrapara districts. District collectors have been directed to take steps for evacuation. Gajapati, Ganjam and Puri districts are likely to experience heavy rainfall on May 10. All boats have returned from sea. The ‘danger’ sign has been hoisted  at four ports.​ Special relief commissioner Pradeep Jena said, “The cyclone will not make a landfall in Odisha and it will cross Odisha and Andhra Pradesh parallel to the states’ coast. It will be at a distance of 90 to 100 km away from Puri. Under its influence, the coastal areas are likely to witness wind reaching a speed of 50 kmph. Disaster response teams are kept ready for Ganjam, Puri, Astarang, Jagatsinghpur and Kendrapara districts; district collectors have been empowered to take steps for evacuation if necessary.”
3. Asani’s movementThe Met has predicted that Asani, on reaching west-central and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal off north Andhra-Odisha coasts on May 10, is very likely to recurve north-northeast wards and move towards northwest Bay of Bengal off Odisha coast. The severe cyclonic storm is very likely to lose some steam thereafter and turn into a cyclonic storm on May 11 and further dissipate into a deep depression by May 12.
4. Speed and strengthThe maximum speed limit may increase to 95 to 105 kmph with gusting to 115 kmph by Sunday evening. On Monday, the wind speed will be 105 to 115 kmph with gusting to 125 kmph and then the storm is expected to lose steam in the sea on May 10 with wind speed coming down to 96 to 105 kmph with gusting to 115 kmph in the early hours reducing progressively as the day wears off.
5. Light to moderate rainfallAsani is likely to bring light to moderate rainfall over Gangetic West Bengal from May 10 to 13 with heavy downpour at one or two places in the coastal districts of Purba Medinipur, South 24 Parganas and North 24 Parganas in West Bengal. The administrations of these three districts are keeping cyclone shelters, schools and other pucca structures, dry food and necessary medicines ready.
6. Fishermen on alertFishermen 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 Monday and rougher on May 10. The wind speed in the sea will increase to 80-90 kmph on May 10. 
7. Asani named by Sri LankaCyclone Asani is a name given by Sri Lanka that means ‘wrath’ in Sinhalese. The cyclone that will form after Asani will be called Sitrang, a name given by Thailand. The names that will be used in the future include the likes of Ghurni, Probaho, Jhar and Murasu from India, Biparjoy (Bangladesh), Asif (Saudi Arabia), Diksam (Yemen) and Toofan (Iran) and Shakhti (Sri Lanka).

(With PTI inputs)

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