New Delhi: The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) observed a severe cyclonic storm named Asani to move towards the Western and West-Central Bay of Bengal on Monday, May 09, 2022. Asani is the first Indian cyclonic storm of 2022.
The IMD shared physical maps of India on Twitter, depicting the movement and intensity of the cyclonic winds over the Bay of Bengal.
“Severe Cyclonic Storm Asani moved WNW with a speed of 25 kmph during past six hours and lay over West-central and adjoining South Bay of Bengal at 05:30 hours IST. To move Northwest-wards till May 10 and reach West-central and adjoining Northwest (NW) Bay of Bengal off North Andhra Pradesh and Odisha coasts to weaken gradually into a Cyclonic Storm in next 48 hrs,” the IMD informed.
Talking about the location of Asani, the IMD tweeted, “Severe Cyclonic Storm Asani is about 450 km southeast of Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) at 11:30 IST of May 09. It is very likely to move North-westwards till May 10. Thereafter, recurve North-northeast wards. It is likely to weaken gradually into a Cyclonic Storm during the next 24 hours.”
Meanwhile, the department also issued a storm-related warning for citizens. The department tweeted: “Rainfall warning – 9 May: Rainfall at a few places over coastal Andhra Pradesh. 10 May: Heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places over coastal AP; heavy rainfall at isolated places over coastal Odisha from 10th evening.”
Meanwhile, the fisherman advisory read, “Fishermen are advised not to venture into the West-central and adjoining South Bay of Bengal on May 09, 2022, into the west-central Bay of Bengal on May 9 and May 10, 2022, and into Northwest Bay of Bengal during May 10-May 12, 2022. Fishermen out at sea are advised to return to the coast.”
(Avya Mathur)