Cyclone Asani Puts Rescuers, Army On Alert In Andamans: 10 Points

Cyclone Asani is projected to move along and off the Andaman Islands towards Myanmar and south Bangladesh coast, India Meteorological Department Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said. He clarified that the cyclone will not make a landfall in Andaman Islands.

The weather system is expected to intensify first into a deep depression and later into a cyclonic storm on Monday.

Ships, aircraft, helicopters, diving and disaster relief teams are on standby.  Coast Guard ships have been shepherding the fishermen out at sea back to harbour.

It would likely form into a cyclonic storm tomorrow, the India Meteorological Department, or IMD, said on its website.

The island administration said it has properly planned to deal with any situation, including evacuation of people from low-lying areas.

Some parts of the islands saw rain and strong winds this afternoon. Inter-island shipping services have been stopped and fishermen have been warned not to go out.

Some 100 personnel of the National Disaster Response Force, or NDRF, have been deployed and six relief camps set up in parts of the islands, officials have said.

The cyclone is expected to move towards the Bangladesh-Myanmar coast.

The Union Territory's Chief Secretary Jitendra Narain has asked officials to ensure there are enough food and provisions for people affected by the cyclone.

Tomorrow, light to moderate rainfall and thundershower are likely to occur at most places with isolated heavy rainfall over the Andaman Islands.