Cyclone Asani LIVE updates: All flights flying to and from Visakhapatnam have been cancelled due to the severe cyclonic storm Asani passing by the coast of Andhra Pradesh. The storm which is centred approximately 400km southeast of Visakhapatnam is expected to weaken over the next 24 hours.
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Senior Scientist of India Meteorological Department (IMD) Bhubaneswar Umashankar Das on Monday said that in the past hours, Cyclone Asani has moved nearly in the west-northwestwards direction with a speed of 25 kmph, and is expected to weaken into a cyclonic storm. Speaking with ANI, Das said, “It’s about 680 km in direction of the south-southeast of Puri and 580 km from Visakhapatnam. We are expecting that it will be further weakened into a cyclonic storm in the subsequent 48 hours and continue to move in the northwest direction till May 10 over west-central adjoining northwest of North Andhra and Odisha coast.”
Light to moderate rainfall will also continue over districts of coastal Odisha. “Afterwards, it’ll be recalled north-northeast and move towards north Odisha coast. We’re expecting heavy rainfall under its influence from May 10 onwards over some Odisha coastal districts. Light to moderate rainfall to continue over districts of coastal Odisha,” Das added.
The cyclonic storm with gusting 120 km per hour wind speed lay centred about 550 km southeast of Vishakhapatnam and 680 km south-southeast of Puri today according to an IMD bulletin this morning. “It is very likely to move northwestwards till May 10 and reach Westcentral and adjoining Northwest Bay of Bengal off North Andhra Pradesh and Odisha coasts,” the IMD said.”Thereafter, it is very likely to recurve north-northeastwards and move towards Northwest Bay of Bengal off Odisha coast. It is likely to weaken gradually into a Cyclonic Storm during the next 48 hours,” the bulletin said.
The cyclonic storm Asani is currently moving in a "cone of uncertainty" over west-central Bay of Bengal and is expected to cross the coast anywhere between Kakinada and Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday evening.
Special Chief Secretary (Disaster Management) G Sai Prasad said they were constantly monitoring the path of the cyclone and, accordingly, issuing alerts to the respective district administration.
"We have already sent nine teams each of National Disaster Response Force and State Disaster Response Force to the coastal districts for emergency operations," the Special Chief Secretary said.
State Disaster Management Authority Director B R Ambedkar said gale with a speed of 75-95 kmph was likely along the Bay of Bengal coast under the impact of Asani.
The IMD has provided rainfall data (in cm) for parts of Odisha, Assam and Manipur, which have received isolated heavy rains.
'Asani' likely to weaken into a cyclonic storm during next 24 hrs. Under its influence, heavy to very heavy rainfall warning for next 24 hrs for Malkangiri, Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri dists. Fishermen advised not to venture into sea along &off Odisha coast till May13: IMD Bhubaneswa
Severe cyclone Asani neared the east coast, packing gale-force winds up to 105 kmph, amid indication of gradual weakening on Tuesday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. The cyclone, which was moving at a speed of 25 kmph on Monday, has slowed down to 5 kmph as it lays centered around 300 km southeast of Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh and 510 km south-southwest of Gopalpur in Odisha. The system is expected to recurve on Tuesday night and move parallel to the coast in the north-northeast direction.
According to the recent update by the IMD, Asani has moved west-northwestwards with a speed of 10 kmph, and lay centered at 8.30 am over westcentral Bay of Bengal, 260 km southeast of Kakinada, 300 km south of Visakhapatnam, 490 km south-southwest of Gopalpur, and 570 km south-southwest of Puri.
There will be total suspension of fishing operations over West-Central and adjoining Bay of Bengal on May 10 and 11, and over northwest Bay of Bengal till May 12. Fisherfolk have been advised not to venture into the sea. Those out at sea are advised to return to the coast.
Cyclone Asani, which formed in the Bay of Bengal, brought rainfall to parts of Tamil Nadu, including Chennai, on Tuesday. The overcast skies and cool winds brought much relief from the scorching heat. Till 5.30 am, the rainfall data (in mm) was: Chennai’s Meenambakkam (3), Nungambakkam (3); Karaikal (0.2); Salem (1); Tiruchirapall (0.9); Cuddalore (3); and Puducherry (0.8).
Teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) were on standby for rescue and relief operations in coastal Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday as severe cyclonic storm Asani' in the Bay of Bengal was heading closer to the coast.
The weather system, which developed over southeast regions of Bay of Bengal, intensified into a 'severe cyclone storm' on Monday. At 5.30 am Tuesday, it lay some 300 km southeast of Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh, 330 km south-southeast of Visakhapatnam, 510 km south-southwest of Gopalpur in Odisha, and 590 km south-southwest of Puri in Odisha.
There will be total suspension of fishing operations over westcentral and adjoining Bay of Bengal on May 10 and 11, and over northwest Bay of Bengal till May 12. Fisherfolk have been advised not to venture into the sea. Those out at sea are advised to return to the coast.
Telangana is likely to receive thunderstorm lightning during the next two days, MET Director Naga Ratna said.
Earlier, the Bhubaneswar Meteorological Centre informed that severe Cyclonic Storm Asani moved with a speed of 12kmph in the west-northwest direction during the last 6 hours and is about 590 km southwest of Puri and about 510 km south-southwest of Gopalpur, Odisha.
Severe Cyclonic Storm Asani over Westcentral and adjoining the southwest Bay of Bengal moved west-northwestwards and lay centered at 23:30 hours Monday over west-central and adjoining southwest BoB, 330 km southeast of Kakinada (Andhra Pradesh), 350 km south-southeast of Visakhapatnam.
According to the weather office, Severe Cyclonic storm Asani is about 450 km southeast of Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) at 1130 IST of 9th May. It is very likely to move northwestwards till 10th May. Thereafter recurve N-NEwards. It is likely to weaken gradually into a Cyclonic Storm during the next 24 hours.
In view of cyclone Asani’, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has postponed her three-day programme in Jhargram and Paschim Medinipur districts. “The districts need to prepare to combat the cyclone, hence the deferment,” a statement issued by the Bengal government said.
The weather office said that heavy rainfall is likely to occur over Howrah, North and South 24 Paraganas and Nadia districts of Gangetic West Bengal from May 10 to May 12.