Andaman and Nicobar Islands Administration is making necessary arrangements as Cyclone Asani is likely to hit the coasts. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had forecast that a low pressure area persists over southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining South Andaman Sea over the same area. It is very likely to move almost northwards along Andaman and Nicobar Islands and intensify into a depression by the morning of March 20 and into a cyclonic storm on March 21.
IMD Prediction
As per the IMD’s prediction, on March 20, Andaman Islands will see light to moderate rain or thundershowers at most places with heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places and extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places, while Nicobar Heavy rainfall will occur at isolated places over the islands.
A Low Pressure Area over Southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining South Andaman Sea remains over the same area today, March 19 at 0830 hrs IST. It is very likely to move northwards along Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
1/12 pic.twitter.com/uvanVZc4hB— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) March 19, 2022
“On March 21, light to moderate rain or thundershowers at most places with heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places and very heavy at isolated places over Andaman Islands are very likely. Light to moderate rainfall is very likely at some places over Nicobar Islands”, the IMD said.
Indian Coast Guard in action
The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has swung into action and is taking pre-emptive measures as to the likelihood of it hitting the coasts of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. ICG ships and aircraft issued weather warnings to all sailors and fishermen at sea in the southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining South Andaman Sea.
#Cyclone Asani @IndiaCoastGuard Precautionary measures are in place for possible cyclone Asani.#ICG Ships and aircraft issued weather warnings to all sailors and fishermen at sea over the southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining South Andaman Sea. @PMOIndia @drajaykumar_ias @ndmaindia @AN_Command pic.twitter.com/OWjys6Q9lH
— Indian Coast Guard (@IndiaCoastGuard) March 19, 2022
advice to fishermen
All fishermen have also been advised not to venture into the Andaman Sea and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal.
tourism activities suspended
Meanwhile, tourism activities in Andaman and Nicobar Islands have been suspended from March 19 to March 22 in view of IMD’s warning about cyclonic weather.
In view of IMD’s warning about cyclonic weather, tourism activities in Andaman and Nicobar Islands will remain suspended from March 19 to March 22, 2022.@MediaRN_ANI @Andaman_Admin pic.twitter.com/54MVYOxxPW
— jitendra.narain (@jitendra_narain) March 19, 2022
Preparation
In a meeting held here on Friday, Chief Secretary, Andaman and Nicobar Administration Jitendra Narayan reviewed the preparedness of the administration and asked all the stakeholders to ensure that the temporary camps set up to provide shelter to the evacuated people, provide food, water and other infrastructure, the statement said.
Narayan also directed that the shipping services be immediately suspended in view of the bad weather and no fishing boat would be allowed to go to sea.
Read also: Preparations in full swing for Cyclone Asan in Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Read also: Cyclone Asani, earlier in 2022, is likely to hit Andaman and Nicobar on March 21