Cyclone Asani haunts people of Andaman, heavy rain predicted

Written By: Aashish Vashistha

March 20, 2022 (New Delhi): The Andaman and Nicobar Islands administration has made necessary arrangements as Cyclone is likely to approach the seashores. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had forecast that a well marked low pressure area over the southeast ‘Bay of Bengal’ and adjoining south Andaman Sea persists over the same region. It is likely to move nearly northwards along and off the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and will intensify into a depression by the morning of March 20 and into a cyclonic storm on March 21.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has also predicted very heavy rainfall in a few places over the Andaman and Nicobar Islands with isolated extremely heavy rainfall likely over the Nicobar Islands. “Climatologically March is not cyclone season. It’s April and May. The ocean is cooler in March and solar insolation is not very high. In March westerly systems are predominant in the northern parts of the country and easterly waves are predominant over the Peninsular region,” a senior official said who did not wish to be named.

The official also added, “Asani may weaken before landfall but when its intensity is of a cyclone, it will be very close to Andaman & Nicobar Islands. So, we are expecting widespread heavy rains and strong winds to affect the islands.”In view of the forecast, the Islands Administration has activated emergency control rooms. Chief Secretary Jitendra Narain on Friday reviewed the Union Territory-level preparations to face Cyclone Asani. All officers were directed to take every effort to ensure safety of all citizens.

Research: Manshi Singh