Tamil Nadu braces itself after IMD issues cyclone alert

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday issued an alert for a cyclone that is likely to hit Tamil Nadu in the next 48 hours following the formation of a low-pressure region in the Bay of Bengal.

According to the alert,a low pressure area is likely to develop over the equatorial Indian Ocean and adjoining the southwest Bay of Bengal to the southeast of Sri Lanka around April 26.

“The low-pressure area is likely to intensify into a depression during the subsequent 24 hours. Due to this, a scattered low and medium clouds with embedded moderate to intense convection lie over southcentral the Bay of Bengal and weak to moderate convection lie over north the Bay of Bengal,” the IMD said in a statement.

The Met office said that the low-pressure area is likely to develop over the Indian Ocean and adjoining South-West Bay of Bengal.

“It is very likely to intensify into a depression and move towards the coastal region in Tamil Nadu intensifying into a cyclonic storm,” IMD alert reads.

Hours after the IMD’s alert, Cuddalore district collector Anbuselvan said that all precautionary arrangements were in place to face any eventualities.

“We were informed about the weather condition. As the IMD has given cyclone alert, we have taken all the precautionary measures to avert damages if there is anything unexpected,” said Anbuselvan.

In November 2018, at least 63 people died and districts of Thanjavur, Nagapattinam, Thiruvarur and Pudukkottai, parts of Cuddalore had faced the worst devastations when cyclone Gaja hit central Tamil Nadu.

First Published: Apr 24, 2019 16:32 IST