Bhubaneswar: Cyclone 'Asani' over the Bay of Bengal is likely to come close to Odisha's Gopalpur on May 12 and trigger heavy rainfall in coastal parts of the state.

As per the forecast by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the system is likely to be present over the Bay of Bengal, around 77 km east-southeast of Gopalpur, 106 km south-southwest of Puri, 154 km south-southwest of Bhubaneswar and 180 km south-southwest of Cuttack as a deep depression at around 1200 UTC (5:30 pm IST) of May 12.

The cyclonic storm is very likely to move nearly northwestwards till 10th May night and reach Westcentral Bay of Bengal off North Andhra Pradesh coast. Thereafter, it is very likely to recurve north-northeastwards and move towards Northwest Bay of Bengal off North Andhra Pradesh and Odisha coasts. It is likely to weaken gradually into a Cyclonic Storm during next 24 hours.

The agency has issued heavy rainfall and wind warning for Odisha in connection with the system.

Rainfall Warning

May 10:

  • Heavy rainfall is very likely to occur at one or two places over the districts of Malkangiri, Koraput, Gajapati, Ganjam and Puri.
  • Light to moderate rain or thundershower very likely to occur at many places over the districts of coastal Odisha, at a few places over the districts of Mayurbhanj, Dhenkanal, Kandhamal, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri and at one or two places over rest districts of Odisha.

May 11:

  • Heavy rainfall very likely to occur at one or two places over the districts of Gajapati, Ganjam, Khordha, Puri, Jagatsinghpur and Cuttack.
  • Light to moderate rain or thundershower very likely to occur at most places over the districts of coastal Odisha and at a few places over the districts of interior Odisha.

May 12: 

  • Heavy rainfall very likely to occur at one or two places over the districts of Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Kendrapara, Bhadrak and Balasore.
  • Light to moderate rain or thundershower very likely to occur at many places over the districts of coastal Odisha and at a few places over districts of interior Odisha.

Wind Warning: Squally wind speed reaching 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph is likely to continue along and off Odisha coast during 10th to 12th May.