Updated: November 30, 2020 3:44:57 pm
Boats anchored in a coastal area before the arrival of Cyclone Nivar, in Mamallapuram. (PTI Photo / November 25, 2020.)
Another cyclone, which is brewing in the southeastern region of the Bay of Bengal, is heading towards the southern coasts of Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka.
On November 25, strong Cyclone Nivar struck near Karaikal and brought extremely heavy rains over Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and the Andhra Pradesh coast.
“We have noticed warmer sea surface temperatures recorded in both the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea,” said Dr D Sivanand Pai, Head of Climate Research and Services, India Meteorological Department (IMD), Pune.
This warming favors the development of cyclones. Meteorologists say that sea conditions during November are still the most favorable for the genesis of the cyclone in these two seas. Each year, about five cyclonic storms form in this region, four of which develop in the Bay of Bengal.
On Monday, the IMD installed a pre-cyclone watch. The Met’s office has said that a depression, which lies about 1,120 kilometers east-southeast of Kanyakumari, will intensify in 12 hours and by Tuesday will develop as a cyclonic storm.
The projected path of Cyclone Burevi. (Source: IMD)
“It will also intensify into a cyclonic storm and move west-northwest and cross the coast of Sri Lanka around December 2,” the special bulletin released by IMD on Monday said. Once the system reaches the strength of a cyclonic storm, it will be called ‘Burevi’.
Under the influence of this approaching cyclone, the meteorological office issued a ‘red’ alert (take action) warning of very heavy to extremely heavy rains (over 20cm) over the southern districts of Tamil Nadu and Kerala on Wednesday. The rains will continue along Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe, the coast of Andhra Pradesh and Lakshadweep until December 5.
READ: Cyclone Nivar deals a new blow to the Irula tribes who are already struggling to meet their basic needs
It is very likely that during the next two days there will be gusty winds with speeds of between 55 and 65 km / h with gusts of 75 km / h. As sea conditions are likely to remain extremely difficult, fishermen have been warned not to venture out to sea until the end of this week.
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