Cycline Buveri is expected to make first contact with the Indian coast between Pamban and Kanyakumari
Chennai / Thiruvananthapuram:
Southern Tamil Nadu and southern Kerala are on high alert as Burevi approaches the southern shores. The cyclonic storm is expected to make first contact with the Indian coast between Pamban and Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu, sometime between tonight and tomorrow morning.
Burevi is likely to weaken into a deep depression upon entering Kerala, the meteorological bureau said. However, the state capital, Thiruvananthapuram, and six districts are on alert.
In addition to Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Alappuzha, Idukki and Ernakulam will likely be in the firing line of Cyclone Burevi, the Met department said, as it issued a red alert for Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta and Alappuzha.
Southern Tamil Nadu is also likely to receive heavy rains. Pamban, Kanyakumari and the state capital Chennai received rain this morning.
The storm has passed through Sri Lanka’s Trincomalee on its north coast, bringing with it heavy rain and strong winds.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday morning to offer support from the central government. “We have discussed issues 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 warned 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 when describing the actions that are 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.
Around 360 people have already been evacuated from the Pamban area of Tamil Nadu, with relief camps established in Ramanathapuram and Kanyakumari districts and 18 NDRF teams deployed to 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.
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