The first cyclone of 2022 is speculated to hit the islands of Andaman and Nicobar somewhere around 21 of March post which it will travel towards Bangladesh and Myanmar with little effects on the eastern coast of India.

While there are high chances of rain across the archipelago ranging from 64-204mm on 20-21 March, it has been mentioned that the following pre-monsoon months from March to May shall see an active cyclone season throughout the northern parts of Indian Ocean including Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea.

The cyclone which started as a low-pressure formation in the Bay of Bengal has an east-northeast wards approach. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) in its bulletin said that an intensification into a depression and movement along the islands will finally take place on March 21.

As for the winds, it is expected to be more than a breeze but less than a storm better known as Gale Wind. The speed is expected to increase gradually to 70-80kmph gusting up to 90kmph in some areas as the cyclone moves east-northeast wards. During the course of the event, the sea is expected to remain rough with high waves and may also affect visibility.

Keeping in mind the nature of adversities the cyclone can cause, an alert has been issued to all the residents specifically the fishermen to be wary of the sea from March 17-22.

While Cyclone Asani is the first cyclone for this year, keeping in mind the forecast, coastal areas should brace for future cyclones too and thus should prepare accordingly. Earlier in 2021, after Cyclone Yaas, Bengal’s government had set up a committee to assess the feasibility of forming a bio-shield after the forest staff came up with a plan of securing the state’s coastline by planting layers of grasses along the embankments to serve as a vegetative shield against the cyclones.