The cyclonic storm Asani on Monday intensified into severe cyclone and lies about 680 km in north-northeast off Puri coast central-east of Bay of Bengal, as per the latest bulletin released by the Indian Metrological centre.
The weather forecasting agency further updated that the cyclonic storm moved west-northwest with a speed of 25 kmph during the past six hours and lay centered over westcentral adjoining southeast of BoB at 5.30 am today and will move northwestwards till May 10 and reach westcentral and adjoining northwest BoB off North Andhra Pradesh and Odisha coasts. Thereafter, it is very likely to recurve north-northeastwards and move towards northwest BoB off Odisha coast. It will likely weaken into a cyclonic storm during the next 48 hours.
Live Updates: Cyclone Asani to trigger heavy rainfall in Odisha
The IMD further informed that even though the cyclonic storm gains momentum in the sea, it will remain as severe cyclonic storm and won’t cross the coasts.
On May 10, the cyclonic storm will lay centred at west of Bay of Bengal and further move towards north-northeastwards.
As informed by IMD DG, the coastal areas will experience wind speeds of 40 to 60 kmph under the impact of the cyclonic storm.
On the other hand, Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Pradeep Jena has assured that there will be no impact of Cyclone Asani in Odisha as it will move 100 km away off Puri coast.
Meanwhile, yellow warning with forecast of moderate to heavy rainfall has been issued for some places of Gajapati, Ganjam and Puri on May 10. As per the forecast, the districts of Ganjam, Puri, Khordha, Cuttack and Jagatsinghpur will witness rainfall on May 11 and Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Kendrapara, Bhadrak, and Balasore will most likely witness rainfall on May 12.
Though, high probability of witnessing maximum rainfall in the range of 7 to 11 cm, there is no alert of flood due to the cyclonic storm induced rainfall. However, ODRAF team is on high alert in Ganjam, Puri, Astaranga, Jagatsinghpur and Kendrapara. The Collectors of respective districts are authorized to do the needful for evacuation if necessary, informed SRC Jena. Also SRC said, arrangements have been made to evacuate altogether 7.5 lakh people in 18 districts if any such emergency situation arises