The coastal districts have been put on alert and weathermen and disaster management experts are closely tracking the low pressure area hovering over the equatorial Indian Ocean since Saturday, as the system showed signs of strengthening into a depression by Monday.
The State Disaster Management Authority has directed the government to enforce a fishing ban after the India Meteorology Department warned of rain, squally winds and rough sea conditions and extended its advisory for fishermen up to Wednesday.
The Chief Minister’s office has directed District Collectors to disseminate the weather warning to fishermen. The Departments of Revenue and Fisheries and the Coastal police have also been advised to remain vigilant.
Satellite imagery on Sunday morning showed conspicuous white clouds massing over Lakshadweep, Sri Lanka and peninsular India.
In a bulletin issued on Sunday afternoon, IMD said the system was likely to move gradually west- northwestwards and become well marked during the next 48 hours over the Comorin area and Southeast Arabian sea. It is likely to concentrate into a depression over the southeast Arabian sea during subsequent 24 hours.
The bulletin has forecast rain or thundershowers at a few places over South Tamil Nadu and south Kerala on Monday and at many places on Tuesday. The Lakshadweep area is also likely to receive isolated heavy rainfall on Monday and isolated heavy to very heavy showers on March 13 and 14.
Squally winds, speed reaching 40 to 50 km/h gusting to 60 km/h are likely over Comorin area, along and off south Tamil Nadu and south Kerala coasts during the next 48 hours and the Lakshadweep area up to Wednesday.
Rough to very rough sea conditions have been forecast over Comorin and adjoining sea areas during the next 48 hours and over Lakshadweep area upto March 14. Fishermen are advised not to venture into the sea off the south Kerala coast, Lakshadweep area and adjoining southeast Arabian sea up to March 14.
State Police Chief Loknath Behra has directed district police chiefs and the coastal police, directing them to remain alert and be prepared to take up rescue operations in view of the weather warning issued by IMD.
A pressnote issued by Mr.Behra urged fishermen and the general public to cooperate with the police and abide by their instructions.
A high level meeting convened by the Chief Minister’s office late on Sunday decided to strengthen precautionary measures in the wake of the weather warning. Authorities were directed to disseminate advisories to fishermen and ensure that they do not put out to sea upto Wednesday.
The meeting also resolved to convey the weather warning to fishermen who had already gone out to sea using the marine channel and sea mobile networks.
