With the deep depression over the Arabian sea forecast to intensify into a cyclonic storm over the next 12 hours, the State government has suspended fishing operations over the southeast Arabian Sea, Lakshadweep area and along and off the Kerala coast during the next 24 hours.
Fishermen in the State have also been advised not to venture into these offshore areas during the next 72 hours.
Squally winds
This follows a warning issued by the Met office of squally winds and rough seas off the coast of Kerala.
The Chief Secretary has directed the Fisheries Department to issue warnings to coastal villages, harbours, ports and places of worship along the coast.
A weather bulletin issued by the India Met Department has warned that storm surge of height about 0.5 metre above astronomical tide is very likely to inundate low-lying areas of the Lakshadweep islands including Andrott, Amini, Agatti, Cherium, Kalpeni, Kavaratti, Bangaram and Suheli.
Damage
The storm is likely to cause damage to thatched huts, power and communication lines, roads and crops in the islands during the next 24 hours.
