Cyclone Burevi: Storm approaches Tamil Nadu coast, heavy rain in Kerala

The deep depression over Bay of Bengal has now intensified into a cyclonic storm and has been named Cyclone Burevi. Indian Meteorological Department(IMD) has said Cyclone Burevi will cross Sri Lanka coast on December 3 night and cross south Tamil Nadu on December 4 morning.

Cyclone Burevi will make landfall on Sri Lanka coast close to Trincomalee on Dec 3 evening and will emerge at the Gulf of Mannar on Dec 4 morning. The cyclonic storm will then move towards Tamil Nadu and cross the state between Kanniyakumari and Pamban.

The cyclonic storm is very likely to intensify further in the next 12 hours with a wind speed of 80-90 kmph gusting to 100 kmph.

Three NDRF teams deployed at Tirunelveli to move towards low-lying areas ahead of Cyclone Burevi’s impact

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said his government is prepared to handle the oncoming crisis. “All government departments have been directed to prepare on a war footing. We will get to know more about the impact of the cyclone in the coming hours. We are preparing to handle any kind of situation,” Vijayan has said.

IMD has issued Red Alert in 4 districts of Kerala. Thiruvanathapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha and Pathanamthitta districts are expected to see extreme heavy rainfall on Thursday.

Orange alert has been sounded in Kottayam, Ernakulam and Idukki districts where very heavy rains are expected. On and Friday, isolated heavy to very heavy rains are expected in these districts.