Cyclonic Storm Burevi Inches Closer To Kerala, Tamil Nadu; Landfall Likely

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala is on high alert as cyclonic storm Burevi moved closer to its shores and is expected to cross here by Friday. The cyclonic storm is likely to affect seven districts for the next three days from Thursday.

Apart from the state capital, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Kollam, Alappuzha, Idukki, and Ernakulam are likely to be in Cyclone Burevi’s line of fire, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. The Met department has issued a red alert for Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta and Alappuzha, reported NDTV.

Cyclone Burevi over Sri Lanka moved west-northwestwards with 12 kmph speed during past six hours and lay centred about 60 km northwest of Trincomalee, 180 km east-southeast of Pamban (India), IMD said on Thursday.

The cyclonic storm is likely to weaken by the time it crosses the Gulf of Mannar and turns back to hit Kerala and parts of Tamil Nadu, but will still have some power.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed the matter with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday morning and offered central government support. “We have discussed matters related to the cyclone with Prime Minister Modi. We have explained steps taken by the state government,” Vijayan said.