Cyclone Asani to hit Andaman and Nicobar Islands on March 21: Report

Cyclone Asani is expected to make landfall on the Andaman and Nicobar Islands on March 21, and officials have cautioned fishermen not to go out into the water.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the low-pressure region over the Bay of Bengal will become well-defined by the morning of March 20 and will develop into a cyclonic storm on March 21.

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It will then travel along and off the shores of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands before reaching the Bangladesh-north Myanmar coasts on March 22.

“LPA over central parts of south Bay of Bengal become WML on March 19 along and off the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, intensify into a depression by the morning of March 20 and into a cyclonic storm on March 21. To move nearly north-northeastwards and reach near Bangladesh-north Myanmar coasts on March 22,” added the IMD.

Following the IMD’s forecast, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands administration issued a warning to fishermen not to enter into the water during Cyclone Asani’s predicted path.

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Meanwhile, the local government has activated emergency control systems and has instructed all officials to safeguard the safety of all inhabitants.

The weather prediction service also forecasted light to moderate rainfall or thundershowers in most areas of the Islands on Saturday, with heavy to very heavy rainfall in a few locations, as well as squally winds reaching 45-55 kmph with gusts up to 65 kmph.

“During March 19, sea conditions are very likely to develop severe to very rough across the Andaman Sea and the neighbouring southeast Bay of Bengal. On March 20, it will become extremely rough over the same area,” it said.

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The Union Home Secretary has urged central ministries and agencies to keep a close eye on the situation and stay in touch with the Andaman and Nicobar governments.

Furthermore, fishing, tourist, and shipping operations have been halted. Fishermen have been told to come home. The Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard are all on alert. The Ministry of Home Affairs stated in a statement that central ministries are ready to help if needed.