Cyclone Asani: CWC issues red alert in 6 districts of Andhra

Amaravati: Cyclone Warning Centre (CWC), Visakhapatnam has issued a red alert in six districts of Andhra Pradesh. According to the latest CWC bulletin, extremely heavy rainfall is likely to occur at one or two places over Visakhapatnam, Krishna, Guntur, East Godavari, Yanam, and West Godavari districts. The red warning will be in place from 8:30 am on 11 May to 8:30 am on 12 May, when the severe cyclonic storm is expected to weaken into a depression.

Cyclone Asani is presently at about 90 km south-southeast of Machilipatnam, 170 km south-southwest of Kakinada, and 300 km south-southwest of Visakhapatnam.

"It is very likely to move nearly northwestwards and reach Westcentral Bay of Bengal close to Andhra Pradesh coast by 11th May morning. Thereafter, it is very likely to recurve slowly north northeast awards, move along Machilipatnam, Narsapur, Yanam, Kakinada, Tuni & Visakhapatnam coasts and emerge into Westcentral Bay of Bengal off North Andhra Pradesh coasts by the 11th May evening. Then it is likely to move northeastwards towards the northwest Bay of Bengal. It is likely to weaken gradually into a Cyclonic Storm by 11th May morning and into a depression by 12th May morning," the bulletin said.

Kadapa district witnessed high-intensity rains with intense lightning and thunder. Prakasam, Vijayawada, Bapatla, Chirala, Palnadu Guntur, etc. continued to receive rains in the morning of 11 May.

CWC advised fishermen not to venture into the sea along and off coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam on Wednesday. Currently, wind speed reaching up to 45-55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph is prevailing along and off the Andhra Pradesh coast. From the early morning hours on 11 May, the wind speed will increase, becoming 55-65 kmph gusting to 75 kmph. From morning to noon, wind speed is expected to be reaching 70-80 kmph gusting to 90 kmph.

CWC alerts damages

CWC also said that damage as a result of the cyclone is expected in the Krishna, East and West Godavari, and Visakhapatnam districts of Andhra Pradesh. Damage to thatched huts, power and communication lines, katcha and pucca roads are likely to occur.

Paddy and other standing crops like banana, papaya trees, and orchards are also expected to witness some damage. CWC said some of the low-lying areas of Krishna, East and West Godavari, Yanam of Puducherry union territory, and Visakhapatnam are at the risk of getting inundated.

Danger signals at ports

Great danger signals (signifying the likely occurrence of a storm of severe intensity) are hoisted at Machilipatnam, Nizampatnam, Kakinada, Visakhapatnam, Bheemunipatnam, Kalingapatnam, Gangavaram, Vadarevu, and Krishnapatnam ports.

Please contact the control room in case of any emergency- 0891-2590100 and 0891-2590102.