Cyclone Asani rages in Bay of Bengal, unlikely to make landfall

Cyclone Asani is expected to fizzle out next week without making a landfall

The storm in the Bay of Bengal intensified into a cyclone on Sunday, packing wind speed of more than 75 kmph, and is expected to get stronger, the weather office said.

However, it is expected to fizzle out next week without making a landfall.

Under the influence of the cyclone, northern Andhra Pradesh and Odisha coasts are expected to experience heavy winds and rains from Tuesday, the weather office said.

The cyclonic storm 'Asani', lay centred over southeast Bay of Bengal 380 km west of Port Blair in the Andaman Islands at 5.30 a.m. on Sunday, the weather office said.

“It is very likely to move northwestwards and intensify further into a Severe Cyclonic Storm over east central Bay of Bengal during the next 24 hours,” the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said in a bulletin issued at 8.30 am.

According to the track of the cyclone forecast by IMD, the cyclone was very likely to continue to move northwestwards till May 10 evening and reach West central and adjoining Northwest Bay of Bengal off North Andhra Pradesh and Odisha coasts.

“Thereafter, it is very likely to recurve north-northeastwards and move towards Northwest Bay of Bengal off Odisha coast,” it said.