mangalore today

Cyclone Burevi weakens, 3 Tamil Nadu, Kerala Airports shut as precaution


Mangalore Today News Network / NDTV

New Delhi, Dec 04, 2020:    Southern Tamil Nadu and neighbouring Kerala are on high alert as the cyclone Burevi which weakened into a deep depression inches closer to the southern shores. The deep depression is likely to cross Ramanathapuram and adjoining Tuticorin district in six hours with windspeed of 50-60 kmph, according to the weather office. Flight operations in three airports in Tamil Nadu and Kerala have been suspended as a precautionary measure.

 

Burevi04dec2020


The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had earlier predicted that cyclone Burevi, which crossed the Sri Lanka coast on Wednesday night, would hit the Tamil Nadu coast as a cyclonic storm.

"Deep Depression over Gulf of Mannar at 0530 IST today is close to Ramanathapuram District coast remained practically stationary, about 40 km southwest of Ramanathapuram, 70 km west-southwest of Pamban. The associated wind speed is about 55-65 gusting to 75 kmph," IMD said in its latest update. Deep depression is a stage of cyclone formation or de-intensification.

The deep depression is very likely to further weaken into a depression (with a wind speed of 40-50 kmph, gusting up to 60 kmph) in 24 hours, it said.

The IMD has issued a number three hazard warning sign at the Pamban port due to strong winds blowing at a speed of 55 kmph over the coast.

The weather office has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall for Chennai and southern Tamil Nadu on Friday under the influence of cyclone Burevi, with authorities deploying NDRF teams and setting up relief camps as disaster-response measures in view of the storm’s impending landfall along the state’s southern coast.

A red alert has been issued for south Tamil Nadu and south Kerala.

Apart from Madurai airport ( suspended till 12 pm tomorrow) and Tuticorin airport in Tamil Nadu, flight operations remain suspended at the Trivandrum international airport in Kerala.  "Trivandrum airport (International and domestic) has suspended operations from 10 AM to 6 PM on December 4th as precautionary measure. Airport will however allow emergency search, rescue operations as need emerges," Trivandrum Airport Director told NDTV.

The Kerala government has declared a holiday in five districts. A statement issued by the state government said a public holiday has been declared for the districts of Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha and Idukki in the state.

Over 2,000 relief camps have been opened in Kerala, it said. A statement issued by the state government said a public holiday has been declared for the districts of Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha and Idukki in the state.

On Thursday, Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami and his counterpart in Kerala Pinarayi Vijayan and assured them of all possible help to the people of both the states.

Diving and disaster relief teams from the Indian Navy and the National Disaster Response Force continue to be on standby to render necessary support to the administration.

Two Indian Navy ships and four Indian Navy aircraft have been deployed for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief assistance at the west coast of the sea.