Cyclone Asani, the first cyclone of 2022, is expected to hit Andaman and Nicobar Islands on March 21 and it will move towards Bangladesh and Myanmar after hitting Andaman. The cyclone has been named Asani as suggested by Sri Lanka. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has also reviewed the preparedness of central ministries or agencies and administration of Andaman and Nicobar in the view of impending cyclone in Bay of Bengal. The ministry also said that teams of National Disaster Response Force, Indian Army, Navy and Air Force have been asked to be on alert for any untoward situation. Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla on Thursday reviewed the preparedness of central ministries and agencies and administration of Andaman & Nicobar in view of impending cyclone in Bay of Bengal and Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard have been put on alert.
Sources said the Union Home Secretary has directed all agencies to keep regular watch and be in touch with Andaman & Nicobar Administration. Fishing, tourism and shipping activities have been stopped after the IMD’s alert.
Fishermen advised to return from sea. Indian Army, Navy, Air Force and Indian Coast Guard have been asked to be on high alert. The concerned ministries have also been advised to be ready with assistance if required,” officials said.The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has explained that a low-pressure area in the Southeast region of the Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm by March 21. The low pressure area over central parts of the south Bay of Bengal moved eastÂ-northeast and lay centred at 8.30 am on Thursday, March 17, over the southeast Bay of Bengal and the adjoining east equatorial Indian Ocean.
It is likely to continue moving east-northeast, become a well-marked low-pressure area and lie over the southeast Bay of Bengal and the adjoining south Andaman Sea by Saturday morning, March 19.
Thereafter, it is likely to move nearly northwards along and off the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, intensify into a depression by the morning of March 20 and evolve into a cyclonic storm on March 21. On the other hand, most parts of the north, west and central India witnessed heat wave to severe heat wave conditions.
Many parts of Rajastha, Madhya Pradesh and Punjab and Haryana and West Uttar Pradesh are witnessing gradual rise in maximum temperatures for the past few days.