New Delhi: The first cyclone of 2022 is presently brewing in the over southeast Bay of Bengal and is expected to bring heavy rains to Andaman and Nicobar Islands from Friday.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) however predicts that Cyclone Asani will spare the eastern coastline. Sea conditions however are likely to become very rough over southeast Bay of Bengal and the adjoining south Andaman Sea.
Authorities have put Andaman and Nicobar on alert. The cyclone is unlikely to cross the Indian coast but heavy rain and strong winds are expected over Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Between 1891 and 2020, only eight cyclones have been formed in March, including two in the Arabian Sea and six in the Bay of Bengal, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Thursday. Of the eight, six dissipated over sea and one crossed the Tamilnadu coast as a cyclonic storm in 1926. Another crossed Sri Lanka in 1907.
Meanwhile, Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla reviewed the preparedness of Central Ministries/Agencies and administration of Andaman & Nicobar Union Territory in view of the impending cyclone in Bay of Bengal.
The Union Home Secretary directed the Central Ministries and Agencies to keep regular watch and be in touch with the Andaman and Nicobar administration to handle any situation.
The meeting has come close on the heels of India Meterological Department’s alert that the low pressure area in South East Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm by 21 March with wind speeds of 70-80 kmph gusting to 90 kmph.
While one team of National Disaster Response Force is already in Port Blair, additional teams are ready to be airlifted if required, an official release here said.
The Andaman & Nicobar administration is ready with sufficient stocks of emergency supplies. It has also taken measures to protect population and for restoration of infrastructure.