Heavy rainfall and strong winds lashed Andaman and Nicobar Islands over the last 24 hours as a deep depression strengthened over the north Andaman sea, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Tuesday.
According to the weather department, the deep depression is expected to strengthen into a cyclonic storm, named 'Cyclone Asani,' and make landfall near the port city of Thandwe in Myanmar.
At 9 p.m. yesterday, the IMD forecasted that a cyclonic storm will form over the north Andaman Sea during the next 12 hours.
"It would continue to move near northwards away from the Andaman Islands and cross the Myanmar coast between latitude 18 Degree North and 19 Degree North around Thandwe (Myanmar) during the early hours of March 23," it warned.
People living in low-lying and flood-prone areas of Andamans were evacuated and sheltered in temporary shelters as a result of 'Cyclone Asani,' according to the local administration.
Inter-island ferry services and shipping services to and from Chennai and Visakhapatnam were suspended, while all educational institutions were closed as well.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has sent around 150 personnel, and six relief camps have been formed in various regions of the islands.
Control Rooms have also been established in each of the union territory's three districts.
The sea condition is likely to be very rough and the weather office has advised suspension of all tourism and fishing activities for the next two days.
Fishermen have been warned not to venture into the Andaman Sea on Monday and Tuesday.
