Kerala, Tamil Nadu on high alert as Cyclone Burevi nears coast

Almost a week after Cyclone Nivar battered parts of Tamil Nadu, Cyclone Burevi that formed in the Bay of Bengal is expected to hit coasts of Tamil Nadu and Kerala on 2 and 3 December. A red alert has been issued in most parts of Kerala and some parts of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Andhra Pradesh. According to India Meteorological Department (IMD), the three states and union territory will receive heavy rains and thunderstorms in the next two days. Fishermen have been asked to not go out to the sea and those who are already out must hit the nearest coast by Tuesday.

Burevi is expected to cross coast of Sri Lanka on 2 December. It is then likely to move nearly westwards thereafter and emerge into the Comorin area on 3 December morning.

Navy and coast guard ships have been put on standby. Many people living in coastal areas of Kerala have also been moved to safer places. Last week, more than 3 lakh people were evacuated to safer places in Tamil Nadu before Cyclone Nivar hit the state. Due to timely intervention of the state government, many lives were saved.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan took to his social media handle to warn people and urged them to stay vigilant.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami said, “As the Bengal Sea has a low air pressure zone, all precautions are being taken on a war-time basis, the public should not be afraid of the storm. I request you to follow the advice of the government and give full cooperation”.

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