Kerala warned fishermen not to go to sea, but 161 boats remain from Tamil Nadu (Archive)
New Delhi:
Kerala is on high alert as Burevi approaches its shores, and the cyclonic storm is expected to cross Thiruvananthapuram on Friday and affect seven districts for 72 hours from today.
In addition to the state capital, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Alappuzha, Idukki and Ernakulam will likely be in the line of fire for Cyclone Burevi, IMD said, as it issued a red alert for Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta and Alappuzha.
The storm is expected to hit the northern coast of Sri Lanka first, bringing with it heavy rain and winds of up to 90 kilometers per hour. It is likely to weaken by the time it crosses the Gulf of Mannar and returns to attack Kerala and parts of Tamil Nadu, but it will remain powerful.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday morning to offer support from the central government. “We have discussed matters related to the cyclone with Prime Minister Modi. We have explained the measures taken by the state government,” the prime minister said.
Vijayan said that by Wednesday night, about 2,500 relief camps had been identified and nearly 700 people had already been relocated. He also said that the fishermen had told them not to venture out to sea until Saturday, and that residents had been advised not to leave the house unless it was an emergency.
“Eight teams from the NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) have arrived in the state. Air Force facilities have been arranged at the Sulur base in Coimbatore of Tamil Nadu. The Navy is also ready,” said the Chief Minister. while describing the measures being taken.
“A state executive meeting, chaired by the Chief Secretary, met and assessed the situation,” he added, assuring Kerala residents that “there is nothing to worry about.”
Mr. Vijayan also confirmed that travel restrictions can be imposed in Pathanamthitta district, one of seven expected to receive heavy rains, for people on pilgrimage to Sabarimala.
The district’s disaster management authorities will take the necessary measures, he said.
The Chief Minister also said that the water levels at the Neyyar, Kalada and Kalki dams would be lowered to prevent flooding. At present, the Neyyar, Aruvikkara, Kalada, Malankara, Shiruvani, Kanjirapuzha and Pothundi dams have been opened.
Meanwhile, parts of Tamil Nadu are also likely to receive heavy rains; Burevi is expected to make first contact with the Indian coast somewhere between Pamban and Kanyakumari.
Around 360 people have already been evacuated from the Pamban area, with relief camps established in Ramanathapuram and Kanyakumari districts and 18 NDRF teams deployed to the southern parts of the state. A team is also on standby at Puducherry.
However, it is worrying that 161 fishing boats have yet to return to their villages in Kanyakumari.
Tamil Nadu is still recovering from the impact of Cyclone Nivar, which struck just a few days ago.
With contributions from ANI, PTI
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