Deep depression: Kerala coast on alert

Coastal regions in Kerala were put on extended alert on Tuesday as a depression over the southeast Arabian Sea was set to intensify into a deep depression during the next two days.

The state government, still grappling with the aftermath of Cyclone Ockhi in November last year, took stock of the situation at a high-level meeting here and issued directives for contingency preparedness.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD), in an evening bulletin, said the depression adjoining the equatorial Indian Ocean had moved north-northwestward and lay centred about 360 km southeast of Minicoy, 280 km south-southwest of Thiruvananthapuram and 320 km east-northeast of Male.

"It is very likely to move north-northwestwards and intensify into a deep depression during next 48 hours," the bulletin said.

The department has forecast isolated heavy rainfall and thundershower in the southern parts of Tamil Nadu and Kerala and Lakshadweep till Thursday.

It has maintained the outlook of rough sea conditions and squall and advised fishermen not to venture into the sea along and off south Tamil Nadu and the Kerala coast, Comorin-Maldives area, Lakshadweep area and the Gulf of Mannar area during the next two days.

Wind speed over the Lakshadweep area and the adjoining southeast Arabian Sea is also predicted to gradually increase on Wednesday and Thursday, at 55-65 kmph gusting to 75 kmph.

Preparedness reviewed

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said alert in the state in connection with the depression was extended till Thursday in the wake of the IMD updates.

The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) has re-issued its warning to fishermen against venturing into the sea.

It has also forecast high waves in the 2.5 m-3.8 m range.

At a meeting called by KSDMA on Tuesday, district collectors were directed to take control of coastal relief shelters and raise Signal 3 in ports and harbours.

S Sudevan, director of the Meteorological Centre in Thiruvananthapuram, told reporters after the meeting that the situation was "not alarming".

Coastal control rooms have been directed to remain operational 24x7 till Thursday. Men in fishing vessels that have already left the coasts are also being directed to return or halt at the nearest shores.