Channel: Down To Earth

Category: Science & Technology

Tags: asanihealth mobilitycivil service preparationsandaman and nicobar islandscycloneias coachingsustainable developmentenvironmentcsedown to earthsciencendrfupsccentre for science and environment

Description: ‘Asani’ meaning ‘wrath’ in Sinhala is the first cyclone of 2022 which is set to form on March 21st over the Bay of Bengal. According to the World Meteorological Organization, it is mandatory to name all tropical cyclones since there can be various weather systems operating in a particular region. This time, it has been named by Sri Lanka. The weather system will first turn into a deep depression and then intensify into a cyclone. 150 personnel from The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed in Port Blair as the island is expected to witness wind speeds of about 90kmph. Some parts of the Andamans have already received heavy rainfall on March 20th. The army and navy have also been kept on standby. It is not clear where the cyclone will make landfall yet. According to the IMD, the storm will move northwards along and off the Andamans towards the Myanmar and south Bangladesh coast in the next 48 hours. Indian coast guard ships have been issuing advisories to fishermen to not venture into the seas especially on 21st and 22nd March. The cyclone is expected to lead to landslides, disruption of power lines, heavy rains and flooding on the roads of the island. All tourist activities have been suspended in areas that are likely to be affected. The Directorate of Shipping services has ordered the cancellation of all inter-island services till March 22nd. All schools and colleges are also shut until further notice. According to the IMD, only eight cyclones have been formed in March between 1891 and 2020, two in the Arabian Sea and six in the Bay of Bengal. This is because March is not typically a month of cyclones. They are generally formed in April and May. This is because the oceans are supposed to be cooler in March since it is a transition month from Winter to Summer. The westerly systems are supposed to be predominant over the northern parts of the country and the easterly waves over the peninsular region.