Photo: KSDMA
Thiruvananthapuram: The deep depression over southwest Bay of Bengal intensified into cyclonic storm 'Burevi' on Tuesday and it is very likely to intensify further and cross the Sri Lankan coast on December 2, the India Meteorological Department said.
After making landfall in the neighbouring country, close to Trincomalee, it is very likely to emerge into Gulf of Mannar and adjoining Comorin area -around Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu- on December 3 morning, the IMD said in a bulletin.
It would then move nearly west-southwestwards and cross south Tamil Nadu coast between Kanyakumari and Pamban in the wee hours of December 4, it said.
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, the department had said earlier.
IMD informed that very heavy rain is likely in many places in Kerala from December 2 to 4. Extremely heavy rain was predicted in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta and Alappuzha districts on December 3. Gusty wind also is predicted. The KSDMA directed the government systems to take precautionary measures and urged the public to stay vigilant.
Similar spells could be expected on the preceding and following day as well in parts of the two states including Kanyakumari and Thiruvananthapuram, the IMD had said. The IMD has issued a red alert for south Tamil Nadu and south Kerala for December 3.
The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) informed that venturing into sea from Kerala coast has been banned till further notice. The ban came into force from Monday midnight and is applicable for all types of fishing vessels.
Those who already ventured into the sea should move to the nearest safe coast immediately. Nobody will be allowed to go to sea until the KSDMA grants permission considering the movement of the cyclone. The IMD and the KSDMA are observing the movement of the cyclone.
(With inputs from PTI)