Kolkata witnessed heavy rains on Monday morning. (File Photo)Heavy rain lashed Kolkata and adjoining districts on Monday morning in the wake of the formation of cyclone Asani over the southeast regions of the Bay of Bengal.
According to experts, the storm is likely to move northwest till May 10 and reach west-central and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal, off the North Andhra Pradesh and Odisha coasts. Thereafter, it will move north, northeast and northwest towards the Bay of Bengal off the Odisha coast. People have been advised to stay in safe places during the thunderstorms. Weather officials have asked the district administrations to suspend fishing and tourism activities till 13.
The West Bengal police are making regular announcements to alert people of the coastal and low-lying areas. Police teams were seen making announcements in areas like Sagar and Namkhana in South 24 Parganas and Digha in Purba Medinipur districts urging people to remain alert and move to high-lying areas.
Dr GK Das, scientist at the Regional Meteorological Centre, said the cyclone was very likely to move northwestwards till May 10 and reach west-central and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal off North Andhra Pradesh and Odisha coasts. “Thereafter, it is very likely to recurve north-northeastwards and move towards northwest Bay of Bengal off the Odisha coast. It is likely to weaken gradually into a cyclonic storm in the next 36 hours. “Light to moderate rain or thunderstorm is likely in the districts of Gangetic West Bengal from tomorrow till 13. Heavy rainfall (7-11cm) is likely in Kolkata, Howrah, East Midnapore, North and South 24 Parganas and Nadia districts from May 10 to 12,” read a statement by weather department.
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The Purba Medinipur district administration has directed Contai Sub-divisional Officer to take immediate measures to ensure that tourists do not venture into the sea of Digha and Mandarmani to avoid any untoward incident.
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