Cyclone Asani will strengthen into severe cyclonic storm in 24hrs

The deep depression that brewed in the Bay of Bengal developed into cyclone Asani today and would further strengthen into a severe cyclonic storm in the subsequent 24 hours, the Indian Met Department (IMD) has said.

The cyclone may trigger light to moderate rain with heavy downpour in isolated areas in Odisha, West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh states from Tuesday (May 10), our New Delhi correspondent reports.

The cyclonic storm is moving at 16kmph in northwest direction and will remain in that form till Sunday evening (May 8) and later intensify into a severe cyclonic storm and will continue to remain in this form till May 10 night.

Subsequently, it will weaken in the sea and become another cyclonic storm on May 11 and 12, the IMD said in its latest update.

The severe cyclonic storm will continue to move north westward till May 10 before possibly re-curving north-north eastwards and move towards north west Bay of Bengal off Odisha coast, the IMD said.

Rainfall will commence on May 10 evening and a yellow alert has been issued for the rainfall issued in three coastal districts of eastern state of Odisha. Heavy rainfall warning has been issued for five coastal districts of the state for May 11.