Severe cyclonic storm weakens but 'red warning' issued in southern India

Tropical cyclone still brewing in the Bay of Bengal

People watch high waves approaching the shore due to the formation of cyclonic storm Asani in the Bay of Bengal, Chennai, India. EPA

Commuters with umbrellas cross a road during heavy rain caused by Asani in Kolkata. Reuters

A man is buffeted by horrendous weather in Kolkata. Reuters

The Indian Meteorological Department had said Cyclone Asani was unlikely to make landfall and was expected to weaken into a ‘cyclonic storm’ and move north-west of the Bay of Bengal. EPA

The weather agency has still issued a warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall over the parts of coastal Andhra Pradesh, with thunderstorms expected in Tamil Nadu. EPA

People cross the Buriganga River as they shelter from the rain and rough conditions in Dhaka, Bangladesh. EPA

Cyclone Asani swirled around the Bay of Bengal but had reduced in severity to a cyclonic storm before making landfall. EPA

Dark storm clouds gather over the Buriganga River in Dhaka. EPA

Heavy rain lashes down in Dhaka. EPA

Indian weather authorities issued a “red warning” — the highest level weather alert — over coastal districts of southern Andhra Pradesh, predicting heavy to very heavy rainfall despite severe cyclonic storm Asani having already weakened.

Asani, which means "wrath" when translated from the Sinhalese, was still brewing in the Bay of Bengal and came within 34 kilometres of Narsapur city in the state on Wednesday, with wind speeds of 85kph.

The weather department has predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall in the state and neighbouring Odisha state in the evening.

“It is very likely to move nearly northwards for [the] next few hours and [then] slowly north-north-eastwards along Narsapur, Yanam, Kakinada, Tuni and Visakhapatnam coasts during noon to evening on Wednesday,” the India Meteorological Department said.

“It will emerge into the west-central Bay of Bengal off the North Andhra Pradesh coast by evening,” the department said.

The cyclone is expected to further weaken into a depression by Thursday.

The weather office has predicted a storm surge of 0.5 metre above “astronomical tide”, inundating low-lying areas of Krishna and east and west Godavari districts of the state.

Authorities have sent teams of national and state rescue forces and naval ships are kept on a standby mission with relief materials. At least 19 flood relief teams are being kept at Visakhapatnam.

Nearly 300 relief camps have been opened in seven districts in the state and people from 500 villages in the low-lying areas have been moved to safe shelters. Fishermen have been advised to suspend fishing operations.

At least 37 trains and more than 50 flights were cancelled in the state as a precautionary measure.

“It has weakened but we have taken all precautions. People from low-lying areas have been moved to safe places and pregnant women have been shifted to hospitals. We are expecting minimum damages,” Dr MM Ali, who is in charge of emergency operations at Assam State Disaster Management Authority, told The National.

Rough sea conditions and winds with speeds up to 30kph were recorded at Puri beach in Odisha on Wednesday.

As many as five coastal districts in the state have been put on high alert. Authorities have sent nearly two dozen National Disaster Response Force teams for relief work.

Neighbouring West Bengal is also bracing for heavy rainfall.