IMD issues red alert as cyclone Asani approaches Andhra Pradesh

India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert as cyclone Asani is approaching Andhra Pradesh. The alert has been issued for Guntur Krishna, East and West Godavari, and Vishakhapatnam districts of the state. The cyclonic storm is expected to cross the coast anywhere between Kakinada and Visakhapatnam this evening. Met Department has warned fishermen against venturing into the deep sea till Thursday.

Union Home Secretary has reviewed preparedness of central ministries and agencies and administrations of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha in view of the cyclone Asani. A total of 50 NDRF teams have been earmarked for West Bengal, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh. In Odisha, Special Relief Commissioner PK Jena said local authorities have been put on alert to face heavy rain and water-logging.

Even as the severe cyclonic storm ASANI continues to come closer to the Andhra-Odisha coast, several parts of coastal Odisha



including capital Bhubaneswar have been experiencing intermittent spells of rainfall. Accordingly, the state administration has deployed teams of Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force and Fire Service Department in south and south coastal districts like Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Gajapati, and Ganjam, which are likely to receive cyclone-induced rainfall in varying degrees.

Local administration of coastal districts like Ganjam, Puri Jagatsinghpur, and Kendrapara have been alerted to prepare for any eventualities like local inundation and waterlogging when ASANI moves parallel to Odisha coast during the next 48 hours. 

Meanwhile, following stray instances of fishermen venturing into the rough sea despite government advisory, the state administration has asked collectors to take stern action against the erring fishermen under the Disaster Management Act.