IMD issues warning for cyclonic storm ’Burevi’ in south Tamil Nadu and Kerala

mangaloretoday.com/ yahoo

Chennai, Nov.30, 2020: A depression formed over the Bay of Bengal on Monday and it is very likely to intensify into a deep depression and progress as a cyclonic storm, bringing heavy rainfall in south Tamil Nadu and south Kerala between December 2 and 3, the India Meteorological Department said. The storm is likely to cross the Sri Lankan coast on December 2 evening or night and then emerge into the Comorin area -around Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu- the next day morning, the IMD said.

Under the influence of the weather system, rainfall is likely over Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe, south coastal Andhra Pradesh and Lakshadweep from December 1 to 4, the department said in its latest bulletin. On Monday, showers are likely at a few and isolated places in all such regions.

In south Tamil Nadu and south Kerala, heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely at a few places and extremely heavy showers at isolated places on December 3. Similar spells could be expected on the preceding and following day as well in the southern parts of the two states including Kanyakumari and Tiruvananthapuram, the IMD said.

"A depression formed over southeast Bay of Bengal in the early morning of today...it moved west-northwestwards and lay about 710 km east-southeast of Trincomalee (Sri Lanka) and 1120 km east-southeast of Kanyakumari," it said.

It is very likely to intensify further into a deep depression during the next 12 hours and into a cyclonic storm during subsequent 24 hours. Squally wind speed reaching 45-55 kmph, gusting to 65 kmph, is very likely over Comorin area, Gulf of Mannar and south Tamil Nadu-Kerala coasts from December 2 forenoon and sea condition would be rough to very rough.

The cyclone is very like to move nearly westwards thereafter and emerge into Comorin area on December 3 morning, it added. Once it attains strength, it will be called ’Burevi’.

The department advised total suspension of fishing operations from today till December 4 in all the regions that would come under the influence of the system. The low pressure area on November 28 over south Andaman sea and adjoining areas of southeast Bay of Bengal organised into a well marked low pressure area on Sunday and further concentrated into a depression today.

Very severe cyclonic storm Nivar crossed the coast off Puducherry days ago influencing heavy rains in several parts of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal.

Red alert in Kerala districts

A ’red alert’ has been issued in Kerala’s southern districts of Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta and Alappuzha, and ’orange alert’ in Kottayam, Idukki and Ernakulam districts till Thursday owing to predictions of inclement weather conditions.

Kerala has also banned all fishing activities starting Monday midnight till further notice. Authorities have asked all those out fishing in the sea to get back to the nearest coastal zone.

The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority action follows development of a low pressure area over south Andaman Sea and adjoining areas of south-east Bay of Bengal that is likely to concentrate into a depression in the next 36 hours and reach south Tamil Nadu coast around Wednesday.

Weather officials have predicted moderate to heavy rains starting Tuesday till Friday in the state.

Strong winds are also expected to hit the state, especially the southern districts.