Andaman, 20/3: The first cyclonic storm of 2022 ‘Asani’ made landfall in Andaman and Nicobar Islands on Sunday. Heavy rain has started in the coastal areas amid strong winds. The Meteorological Department has predicted it to intensify further in the next 24 hours. The local administration is busy making necessary arrangements on a war footing. People living in coastal areas have been shifted to safer places. Ships moving between one island to another have been stopped. Shipping service between Chennai and Visakhapatnam has also been stopped. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has informed that the low pressure area that had formed over southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining South Andaman Sea has moved towards east and northeast. It is likely to deepen on Sunday. It can take the form of a cyclonic storm on Monday. The Meteorological Department said on Twitter that there is a possibility of light to moderate rain or thundershowers at most places in the Andaman Islands on Sunday. Heavy to very heavy rainfall may occur at some places. There is a possibility of heavy rain at isolated places in the Nicobar Islands.