The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that the year's first cyclone, Asani, is likely to form over the central Bay of Bengal on March 21.
Though the cyclone is unlikely to cross the Indian coast, heavy rain and strong winds are expected over Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
As of March 17, the low-pressure area over the central parts of the South Bay of Bengal moved east-northeastwards and lay centred over southeast Bay of Bengal and east Equatorial Indian Ocean.
It is likely to continue to move east-northeastwards, and become a well-marked low-pressure area & lie over southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining south the Andaman Sea by March 19.
