50 teams of NDRF deployed to deal with cyclonic storm ‘Asani’, Meteorological Department issued heavy rain and flood alert
A total of 50 teams of NDRF have been kept ready to carry out rescue and relief operations in the areas affected by severe cyclone Asani. An NDRF spokesperson said that out of 50 teams, 22 have been deployed in West Bengal, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh and the remaining 28 teams have been asked to remain on alert (ready) in these states. The spokesman said that 12 teams have been deployed in the coastal districts of West Bengal, nine in Andhra Pradesh and one in Balasore in Odisha.
An NDRF team usually consisting of 47 personnel is equipped with tree-cutting tools, communication equipment, rubber boats and basic medical aid to rescue the affected people and launch relief operations. India Meteorological Department (IMD) Director General Mrityunjay Mohapatra said that the cyclone has already reached the highest level of intensity and is now weakening gradually. He said that the severe cyclonic storm will weaken into a cyclonic storm on Wednesday and intensify into a deep depression on Thursday.
IMD issues red alert for Andhra coast
With cyclonic storm Asani moving towards Andhra Pradesh, the India Meteorological Department on Tuesday issued a red alert for the coastal areas of the state in view of the storm, heavy rainfall in many areas, gale and strong winds and flooding in the local area. . However, Asani is unlikely to make landfall. Asani lies over west-central and adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal, moving west-northwestwards with a speed of 23 kmph during the day. It lay over West-central Bay of Bengal at 2.30 pm about 210 km south-southeast of Kakinada (Andhra Pradesh), 310 km south-southwest of Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh), 590 km south-southwest of Gopalpur (Odisha). to the west and 640 km south-west of Puri (Odisha).
Cyclonic storm likely to weaken by May 12
It is very likely to move almost northwestwards and reach west-central Bay of Bengal close to Kakinada-Visakhapatnam coasts by Wednesday morning, the IMD bulletin said. Thereafter, it is more likely to recurve north-northeastwards gradually and move along the Andhra Pradesh coast between Kakinada and Visakhapatnam and then emerge from north Andhra Pradesh and Odisha coasts into the northwest Bay of Bengal. It is likely to gradually weaken into a cyclonic storm by Wednesday morning and further weaken into a cyclonic storm by the morning of May 12.
The IMD has predicted a storm surge to a height of about 0.5 meters above the astronomical tide, which is likely to cause flooding in low-lying areas of Krishna, East and West Godavari and Visakhapatnam districts of Andhra Pradesh. Fishermen have been warned of a complete suspension of fishing operations in the west-central Bay of Bengal on Tuesday and Wednesday, while in the north-west Bay of Bengal this warning will continue till May 12.
Weather department warns of heavy rainfall
The IMD has also warned of regulation of offshore operations till May 12. Even as light to moderate rainfall has been predicted at many places, heavy to very heavy rainfall continues at isolated places over Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Coastal Odisha since Tuesday night with few heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places. It is raining at places. From Wednesday, light to moderate rainfall is predicted at most places, with heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places, isolated very heavy rainfall likely over Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Coastal Odisha and adjoining Coastal West. Heavy rain is likely at isolated places over Bengal. On May 12, the IMD had said that there is a possibility of light to moderate rainfall at a few places with heavy rainfall at isolated places over the coastal areas of Odisha and West Bengal.
Union Home Secretary reviews preparations in view of Cyclone Asani
Union Home Secretary Ajay Kuzmar Bhalla on Tuesday reviewed the preparedness of central ministries, agencies and governments of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha in view of severe cyclonic storm Asani. During the review meeting, the India Meteorological Department informed that the cyclonic storm is likely to reach West Central Bay of Bengal off Kakinada-Visakhapatnam coasts from morning to afternoon of May 11 and then move towards Andhra Coast (Krishna, East and West Godavari and Visakhapatnam district) is likely to move forward.
Fishermen warned to stay off shores
IMD officials informed Bhalla that the wind speed of the cyclone would be 75-85 kmph gusting to 95 kmph over Andhra coast and 45-55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph over Odisha coast. It has been suggested to suspend fishing operations. NDRF officials said that nine teams have been deployed in Andhra Pradesh, while seven teams have been kept on standby. Similarly, one team of NDRF has been deployed in Odisha and 12 teams have been kept on standby, while in West Bengal 12 teams have already been deployed and five have been kept on standby.
