Cyclone Asani: Watch where & when it may form, which areas would be affected in India

The Indian Meteorological Department has warned of a cyclone forming in the Bay of Bengal.

A low-pressure area in southeast Bay of Bengal and south Andaman Sea is moving in the east-northeast direction, and is likely to intensify into a depression on March 20. It may transform into Cyclone Asani on March 21, the IMD was quoted as saying. Subsequently, the cyclone may move in the north-northeast direction, hitting northern Myanmar, and southeast Bangladesh on March 22.

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In the Indian islands of Andaman and Nicobar, heavy to very heavy rainfall has been predicted. Some spots in the Nicobar chain may experience extremely heavy rainfall. The Indian Coast Guard took pre-emptive measures and started warning vessels in the region to begin returning to ports.

An official was quoted in a Hindustan Times report as saying that April and May are cyclone season, not March. The official said that Asani may weaken before landfall, but since it is close to Andaman and Nicobar islands, heavy rains and strong winds are expected.