Cyclone Burevi: Storm over southwest Bay of Bengal, likely to hit South Tamil Nadu on December 4

The Indian Meteorological Department informed on December 1, 2020, that cyclone storm ‘Burevi’ is most likely to hit the southern region of Tamil Nadu on December 4. Reportedly, the deep depression over the southeast and adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal has now intensified into a cyclonic storm and the alerts have been issued for Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

The cyclonic storm has been named ‘Burevi’ and the name is contributed by the Maldives. In its weather bulletin headline on December 1, the MET department informed that the system currently lays centered at about 400 km east-southwest of Trincomalee in Sri Lanka.

The cyclone is set to cross the Sri Lankan coast near Trincomalee on December 2 in the evening or night and will move nearly westwards afterward. It is then expected to emerge in the Gulf of Mannar as well as in its adjoining Comorian area in the morning of December 3.

Cyclone Storm "Burevi" lay centered about 330 km Esat-Southeast of https://t.co/grfj6Lbre3 cross Sri Lanka coast close to Trincomalee on 2 Dec. evening/night. To emerge into Gulf of Mannar on 3rd Dec. morning & cross south TN between Kanniyakumari and Pamban on 4th early morning. pic.twitter.com/COgcW1R0AD

— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) December 1, 2020

Cyclone Burevi: Southern Tamil Nadu to face heavy rainfall

The cyclone is set to cross the shores between Pamban and Kanyakumari in South Tamil Nadu in the early morning of December 4. Last week, Tamil Nadu was also hit by Cyclone Nivar.

Deep Depression intensified into Cyclone Storm Burevi at 1730 IST of today & lay centred about 400 km Esat-Southeast of https://t.co/grfj6Lbre3 cross Sri Lanka coast close to Trincomalee on 2nd Dec. evening/night & cross south TN btw Kanniyakumari and Pamban on 4th early morning pic.twitter.com/QFNIjhSrP0

— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) December 1, 2020

In Tamil Nadu, regions in the southern districts namely Tenkasi, Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli, Ramanathapuram, Thoothukudi, and Shivagangai have been expected to get very heavy rainfall at a few places as well as extremely heavy rainfall at the isolated places from 2 December to 3 December 2020. Fishermen in these regions have also been asked not to venture into the sea at this time period.

Strong cyclonic winds in Kerala:

Director of Kerala’s Meteorological Department, K Santosh informed that Kerala can see strong winds, heavy to very heavy rainfall along with isolated extremely heavy rainfall from December 2, 2020. Fishermen have been advised to return to the coast and must suspend fishing operations from December 1 to 4 in nearby coastal areas as heavy rainfall is expected.

The arrangement in the state is on war footing due to the prediction of strong winds, cyclone, and strong winds. Chief Minister of Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan informed that all the departments have been instructed to facilitate and coordinate the relief in the Southern districts of Kerala from Thiruvananthapuram to Ernakulam.

Shifting arrangements have also been done for the people living in vulnerable settlements. Rescue and relief operations are also being arranged in coordination with the coastal guards and Navy. Kerala government has also requested more NDRF teams.

A red is also sounded by the government in Kollam, Thiruvananthapuram, Pathanamthitta, and Alappuzha while orange has been issued in Ernakulam, Kottayam, and Idukki. It is yet to be seen that how cyclone will affect the Kerala state as heavy rainfall and gusty wind are likely to hit South Kerala. The Chief Minister informed that precautions have been taken for the situation in case there are heavy rains and small dams may be opened.