A red alert has been issued in Tamil Nadu for April 30 and May 1 as a major cyclone, Fani, is likely to hit the northen coast of the state over the next two days.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Thursday said that after gaining more strength, the cyclonic circulation has finally induced a low-pressure area. “It is very likely to intensify into a depression during the subsequent 36 hours. It is very likely to move northwestwards toward the Tamil Nadu coast along and off the east coast of Sri Lanka and intensify into a cyclonic storm in the subsequent 48 hours,” it further said.
Heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely to occur at isolated places over coastal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. Thunderstorm activity will also intensify with gusty winds (50-60 kmph) and lightning, the IMD said.
Fishermen have been advised not to venture out into the sea during the coming week. This cyclone will, however, have absolutely no impact on Odisha, said the Regional Meteorological Centre, Bhubaneswar. The state is currently reeling under intense heat wave and the mercury likely to soar to 45 degrees Celsius in interior areas in the next 2-3 days, it said.
According to the mid-day bulletin, Titlagarh had recorded the highest temperature at 43.5 degrees Celsius.
