After making landfall in Sri Lanka, cyclonic storm Burevi is expected to cross the south Tamil Nadu coast between Pamban and Kanniyakumari, during late Thursday night/early Friday morning, with wind speed of 70-80 gusting to 90 kmph, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.
According to the IMD, the impact would continue over Ramanathapuram, Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli and Kanniyakumari districts of south Tamil Nadu and adjoining districts of south Kerala till early on Friday.
The IMD said Burevi lay centered 40km east-southeast of Pamban and 260 km east-northeast of Kanniyakumari. Flight services at Madurai airport have been suspended till 12 pm on Friday due to Cyclone Burevi. Tuticorin airport will be closed on Friday
The IMD predicted isolated heavy rainfall over north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal on Friday, The state government has taken precautionary steps like setting up of relief camps in Kanniyakumari and the fishermen who had gone into the sea have been informed to reach nearby shores for safety
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday said that Cyclone Burevi is expected to enter Kerala on Friday,
Flight services at Madurai airport have beensuspended till 12 pm on Friday, in the wake of Cyclone Burevi. Tuticorin airport to be closed on Friday.
Fishermen were advised not to venture into southwest Bay of Bengal and along and off east Sri Lanka coast on Thursday, Comorin Area, Gulf of Mannar and south Tamil Nadu-Kerala and west Sri Lanka coasts from Thursday to Friday, and over Lakshadweep-Maldives area & adjoining southeast Arabian Sea from Thursday to Saturday.
At least 177 people were shifted from Ponmudi hill station in Trivandrum district to relief camp at Government High School in Anappara, in the wake of Cyclone Burevi.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday said given the present set of indicators, Cyclone Burevi is expected to enter Kerala on Friday.
“According to the IMD, Burevi is expected to enter Indian territory at Tuticorin coast either tonight (Thursday) or tomorrow morning (Friday). By tomorrow afternoon, it is expected to touch base in Kerala… it is expected to arrive in the Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram border and from there; it will go into the Arabian Sea. Once in land the expected maximum wind speed is expected to be 60 kms in an hour,” he said.
Vijayan said that districts like Pathanamthitta, Idukki and Alappuzha can expect very heavy rainfall.
“All have to be very cautious and have to be on alert till it leaves our state. All the basic arrangements have been done and officials are also ready. Mobile operators have been asked to ensure that they provide generators at all tower sites. Air Force and Navy are also all ready, in case a need arises,” he added.