Cyclone Asani is likely to change course to move towards West Bengal and cause more impact in the state than has been predicted so far.
The first cyclone on the Bay of Bengal this season is predicted to reach the north Andhra Pradesh-Odisha coast around May 10 evening. “Thereafter, it is very likely to recurve north-northeast and move towards northwest Bay of Bengal, off the Odisha coast,” says the latest IMD communication regarding the cyclone.
“Though Asani is likely to take a recurve towards West Bengal, as of now, the possibility of major damage in the state is low as the cyclone system will probably lose steam due to multiple factors, including dry wind from land and not-so-high sea surface temperature,” said G.K. Das, the head of IMD Kolkata, on Saturday.
The official said the IMD expects heavy rain on the West Bengal coast. The possibility of either heavy winds or a storm surge is lower, according to the official.
“The well-marked low-pressure area over southeast Bay of Bengal… concentrated into a depression at 11.30 hours of today… It is very likely to continue to move and intensify into a cyclonic storm over eastcentral Bay of Bengal on May 8. it is very likely to continue to move northwestwards till May 10 evening and reach westcentral and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal, off north Andhra Pradesh and Odisha coasts,” said IMD on Saturday evening. The “recurve” is likely to happen after that, around next Wednesday, said weather experts.
An expert from the IMD cyclone department said there was a possibility of the cyclone moving across the coast and dissipating without making a landfall. The damage would be the least in this scenario.
“However, the possibility of damage in coastal areas of West Bengal seems higher now than yesterday because of the recurve,” added the expert.
“The recurve is probable because of a westerly wind that operates 10-12km above land, which means it will be above the cyclone system as well,” he explained.