Kolkata/Bhubaneswar: Cyclone ‘Asani’ over the southeast Bay of Bengal intensified into a severe cyclonic storm on Sunday evening as it moved northwestwards towards the north Andhra Pradesh-Odisha coasts. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) gave this information.
The Meteorological Department said, ‘Asani’ on Tuesday reaching west-central and adjoining north-west Bay of Bengal from north Andhra-Odisha coasts, turning north-east and the north-west Bay of Bengal off Odisha coast. likely to move forward. After this, the severe cyclonic storm is very likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm on Wednesday and deep into depression by Thursday, the Meteorological Department said in its forecast of the speed and intensity of Asani. Stating that the system would not hit Odisha or Andhra Pradesh, IMD Director General Mrityunjay Mohapatra said the cyclone would move parallel to the east coast and would cause rain from Tuesday evening.
Odisha’s Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) PK Jena said the state government has made adequate arrangements for the rescue operation. “We do not see any major threat in the state as it will pass around 100 km from the coast near Puri,” he said.
However, rescue teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Odisha Disaster Rapid Response Force (ODRAF), and fire services are on standby to deal with any eventuality. One NDRF team has been deployed in Balasore and one ODRAF team has been sent to the Ganjam district. ODRAF teams are also ready in Krishna Prasad, Satpara, Puri, and Astarang blocks of Puri district and Jagatsinghpur, Mahakalpada, Rajnagar, and Bhadrak in Kendrapara.
Jena said that all the districts have been put on alert. The district authorities have been entrusted with the right of the safe evacuation of people keeping in mind the local situation.
Umashankar Das, Senior Scientist, Bhubaneswar Meteorological Center said, “Rain-related activities will start in the coastal districts from Tuesday evening under the influence of the cyclone.”
There is a possibility of heavy rain in some areas of Gajapati, Ganjam, and Puri in Odisha on Tuesday. Ganjam, Khurda, Puri, Jagatsinghpur, and Cuttack may receive heavy rains on Wednesday. There is a possibility of heavy rain in Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Kendrapara, Bhadrak, and Balasore on Thursday. The Meteorological Department said that the cyclone is likely to bring light to moderate rains over Gangetic West Bengal from Tuesday to Friday, along with one or two heavy rains over the coastal districts of Kolkata.
Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim said, following the forecast of the Meteorological Department, disaster management teams have been alerted. He said that taking lessons from the devastating effects of Cyclone Amphan in May 2020, the municipal administration took all measures like keeping cranes, electric saws, and bulldozers (earthmover) alert to clear the blockages caused by fallen trees and other debris. doing.
A Kolkata government official said the administrations of East Medinipur, South 24 Parganas, and North 24 Parganas are preparing cyclone shelters, schools, and other pucca structures in case evacuation is needed, apart from arranging dry food and essential medicines. The Meteorological Department has advised fishermen not to venture into the sea and off West Bengal and Odisha coasts from Tuesday till further notice.
