Cyclone Burevi tracker | Cyclonic storm weakens, to cross T.N. as deep depression, says IMD

Heavy rains lash T.N., Puducherry as cyclonic storm Burevi nears; Southern Tamil Nadu, Kerala on red alert

December 03, 2020 11:36 am | Updated December 04, 2020 01:53 am IST

In the wake of Cyclone Burevi, marine police team patrol near the new harbour beach in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu on December 3, 2020.

In the wake of Cyclone Burevi, marine police team patrol near the new harbour beach in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu on December 3, 2020.

A deep depression over the south-west Bay of Bengal has intensified into cyclonic storm ‘Burevi’.

The Burevi tropical cyclone is headed towards southern India, authorities said on December 3, after it slammed Sri Lanka's east coast earlier this week but caused little damage.

According to the Indian Meteorological Department ‘Burevi’ lays centred over north Sri Lanka and adjoining Gulf of Mannar, and 310 km east-northeast of Kanniyakumari. It is likely to move west-northwestwards and emerge into Gulf of Mannar.

Here are the latest updates:

Tamil Nadu

Cyclone Burevi weakens, to cross T.N. as deep depression: IMD

Cyclone Burevi has weakened into a deep depression and will cross the Tamil Nadu coast on the morning of December 4, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Thursday (December 3).

The IMD had earlier predicted that Burevi, which crossed the Sri Lanka coast on Wednesday night, would hit the Tamil Nadu coast as a cyclonic storm.

Deep depression is a stage of cyclone formation or de-intensification.

“Cyclonic storm Burevi over Gulf of Mannar weakened into a deep depression on 3rd December and is close to Ramanathapuram district coast, about 20 kilometres southwest of Pamban and 210 km east-northeast of Kanyakumari,” the Cyclone Warning Division of the IMD said this evening.

The associated wind speed is about 55-65 kmph, gusting up to 75 kmph, it added.

The deep depression would move west-southwestwards and cross Ramanathapuram and Thoothukudi districts between Thursday night and Friday early morning with a wind speed of 50-60 kmph, gusting up to 70 kmph.

It is also very likely to further weaken into a depression (with a wind speed of 40-50 kmph, gusting up to 60 kmph) by Friday. - PTI .

 

Kerala

Kerala braces for Burevi; Thiruvananthapuram airport to be shut on December 4

The International airport in Thiruvananthapuram will remain shut for eight hours from Friday morning and over 2,000 relief camps have been opened as Kerala remains on high alert with heavy rains expected when cyclone Burevi makes landfall. The district administration has opened 217 relief camps and 15,840 people have been shifted there from disaster-prone areas.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan reviewed the situation and asked people to exercise extreme caution till the storm passes. Mr. Vijayan, who chaired a high-level meeting with senior officials this evening, also informed Union Home Minister Amit Shah about the steps being taken by the State to face the situation. Mr. Shah assured all assistance, Mr. Vijayan told reporters.

The IMD has predicted that the course of the storm will be through the border areas of Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam districts and the government, along with various Departments and the Army, were ready to face the contingencies, he said.

The Thiruvananthapuram International Airport will remain closed on December 4 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., district collector Navjot Khosa said. - PTI

Tamil Nadu

Cyclone Burevi weakens, to cross Tamil Nadu as deep depression: IMD

Cyclone Burevi has weakened into a deep depression and will cross the Tamil Nadu coast on the morning of December 4, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Thursday. The IMD had earlier predicted that Burevi, which crossed the Sri Lanka coast on Wednesday night, would hit the Tamil Nadu coast as a cyclonic storm.

Deep depression is a stage of cyclone formation or de-intensification. "Cyclonic storm Burevi over Gulf of Mannar weakened into a deep depression on December 3 and is close to Ramanathapuram district coast, about 20km southwest of Pamban and 210km east-northeast of Kanyakumari,” the Cyclone Warning Division of the IMD said this evening. The associated wind speed is about 55-65 kmph, gusting up to 75 kmph, it added.

The deep depression would move west-southwestwards and cross Ramanathapuram and Thoothukudi districts between Thursday night and Friday early morning with a wind speed of 50-60 kmph, gusting up to 70 kmph. It is also very likely to further weaken into a depression (with a wind speed of 40-50 kmph, gusting up to 60 kmph) by Friday. The IMD has already issued a red alert for south Tamil Nadu and south Kerala. - PTI

Tamil Nadu

In view of cyclone Burevi, as a precautionary measure, Madurai airport will remain closed for operations till 12 noon on Friday.

Sri Lanka

Nearly 12,000 persons affected

At least 12,000 residents of Sri Lanka’s Northern and Eastern provinces were severely affected as heavy rains lashed the region while cyclone Burevi made a landfall on Wednesday night. The maximum rainfall – 279.8 mm in the last 24 hours – was recorded in Kilinochchi district.  

Incessant rains continued on Thursday, as the cyclone moved towards Mannar district located on the island’s north west coast before heading towards south India. Thousands living in Jaffna, Mullaitivu, Kilinochchi, Mannar, Vavuniya and the eastern Trincomalee district were badly affected, and nearly 200 homes were damaged, according to Pradeep Kodippili, spokesman of Sri Lanka’s Disaster Management Centre.

Some of the tile-roofed homes of families, who were displaced during the civil war and returned in recent years, were badly damaged, with the roofs collapsing during the cyclone and strong winds, images shared on social media showed. In the Eastern Province too, authorities had evacuated several hundreds, fearing severe damage. 

- Meera Srinivasan

6.35 pm

490 relief camps ready in five districts of Tamil Nadu

Having established 490 relief camps in five districts that fall on the path of Cyclone Burevi, the Tamil Nadu government has made arrangements for accommodating over 1.92 lakh relocated people in these camps, Minister for Revenue and Disaster Management R. B. Udhayakumar said.

On Thursday, the Minister visited Thoothukudi, one of the five districts on the predicted path of Cyclone Burevi and had discussions on the arrangements made with the officials.

Speaking to reporters, Mr. Udhayakumar said 490 relief centres were ready in Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, Kanniyakumari, Ramanathapuram and Sivaganga districts to accommodate 1.92 lakh evacuees from vulnerable areas. Twenty of these camps had been created in Thoothukudi Corporation area and 150 persons evacuated from vulnerable areas had been moved to two of these camps.

 

5.00 pm

Kerala sounds alert in health sector

The Kerala Health department on December 3 sounded an alert in the wake of the cyclone Burevi, which is expected to hit the state on December 4, and said all precautionary measures were taken to meet any emergency situation.

Health Minister K.K. Shylaja said the alert was issued to effectively combat various health issues caused by the cyclone and rains and the subsequent epidemic.

Director of Health and Director of Medical Education have been instructed to ensure sufficient medical facilities and medicines in State hospitals.

 

4.25 pm

Damage minimal in Sri Lanka

Cyclone Burevi has not caused much damage but its after-effects will last for another 24 hours, the country’s meteorological department said on Thursday.

Districts in the island’s north and east received as much as 200 mm of rain. However, its impact was less than what was anticipated by the officials.

Incidents of flooding and tree felling were reported but property damage has largely been contained.

In a flash flood in Trincomalee district, 12 houses were submerged. Over 630 families were accommodated in temporary relief camps, while over 1,700 families made personal arrangements in safe locations.

In northern Vavuniya district, around 250 families had been evacuated, officials said.

4.00 pm

Trains cancelled

Owing to onset of Cyclone ‘Burevi’ the following Trains are Partially Cancelled:

Partial Cancellation of Trains Commencing Journey on 03rd December, 2020

Train No.02693 Chennai Egmore - Tuticorin Special is partially cancelled between Madurai and Tuticorin

Train No.06236 Mysuru – Tuticorin Special is partially cancelled between Madurai and Tuticorin

Partial Cancellation of Trains Commencing Journey on 04th December, 2020

Train No.02694 Tuticorin - Chennai Egmore Special is partially cancelled between Tuticorin and Madurai

Train No.06235 Tuticorin – Mysuru Special is partially cancelled between Tuticorin and Madurai

3.30 pm

Watch | Cyclone Burevi: Scenes from Pamban 

 

3.00 pm

Kerala CM calls for high-level meeting to tackle rain fury

As Kerala remains under high alert expectingheavy rains and winds as result of cyclone Burevi, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday called for a high-level meeting of the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) and other departments.

The NDRF team, which had reached Kerala, has inspected the hilly regions and the coastal areas of Thiruvananthapuram.

The Fire and Rescue team has been engaged in cutting and removing trees and branches which pose danger to the public in case of heavy rains and wind.

2.40 pm

Delta region gets heavy rain

Sea turns rough and waves surge high as Cyclone Burevi heads for landfall, near Pamban on December 3, 2020.

Sea turns rough and waves surge high as Cyclone Burevi heads for landfall, near Pamban on December 3, 2020.

 

Several parts of Tamil Nadu's delta region witnessed heavy rainfall, especially Nagapattinam and Tiruvarur districts. Vedaranyam recorded the maximum rainfall of 20 cm of rainfall during the 24 hour period ending at 6 a.m. on Thursday. Fishermen of Vendaranyam abstained from venturing into the rough sea.

Most other parts of the district including Talaignayar (15 cm); Nagapattinam (14 cm), Mayiladuthurai (12 cm), Sirkazhi (10 cm), Manalemdu and Kollidam (7 cm each) and Tharangampadi (5.5 cm) received heavy rain. Neighbouring Karaikal in Puducherry Union Territory recorded 16 cm of rainfall during the same period.

“So far, the rain has been beneficial. There is water logging is some fields in low-lying areas in the district, but the water will drain quickly even if there is a brief let up in the rain. We are relatively safe as long there is no heavy rain flow in the rivers and canals from Karur, Namakkal and Tiruchi districts,” observed Cauvery S. Dhanapalan, general secretary, Cauvery Farmers Protection Association. He appreciated the Public Works Department for good water management this year, -- suspending water release in the rivers and canals in the delta well in advance of the monsoon rain.

2.20 pm

Seven-year-old girl killed

A seven-year-old girl died in a wall collapse in Perambalur district, in the early hours of Thursday, even as several parts of Tamil Nadu's central region received heavy rainfall since Wednesday, under the influence of the cyclonic storm Burevi.

The victim, V. Yosana, was asleep with her parents in a tiled house at Pasumbalur village when a portion of a mud wall, apparently weakened due to the rain, fell on her, causing her death on the spot, said the police. The girl’s father Venkatesan is a daily wage labourer. The body of the girl was sent to the Perambalur Government Hospital for a post-mortem. V. Kalathur police are investigating.

2.00 pm

Rains affect normal life in Puducherry

Normal life was disrupted in Puducherry on Thursday as torrential downpour influenced by Cyclone Burevi pounded several parts of the Union Territory.

PWD sources told PTI that during last twenty four hours ending 8.30 a.m. Puducherry and its suburbs recorded 7.6 cm rainfall.

Tanks were getting copious inflow and the level of water was rising, leading to fast recharge of sub soil water.

The territorial administration has sought ₹100 crores as interim relief from the Centre as the loss incurred due to cyclone Nivar and heavy rains was pegged at ₹400 crores.

1.15 pm

'No major damage' in  Sri Lanka

“District disaster management units are reporting that no major damage has been caused by the cyclone,” said Pradeeep Kodippili, Assistant Director of Sri Lanka’s Disaster Management Centre (DMC).

Authorities in Sri Lanka had evacuated more than 75,000 people, most of them from the Trincomalee area, before the Burevi cyclone hit.

But Mr. Kodippili said cyclonic conditions were still prevalent in the north with heavy rains and strong gusts of wind and that naval and fishing communities had been asked not to go out to sea.

1.00 pm

Heavy to very heavy rainfall expected: IMD

“Heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected in southern Kerala and southern Tamil Nadu,” the IMD said.

The IMD said it expects damage to thatched huts, and that power and communication lines could be affected due to breaking tree branches. It also expects the storm to hit paddy crops, banana, papaya trees and orchards.

The IMD’s warning comes after Burevi's packing winds of up to 90 kph (56 mph) hit Sri Lanka late on December 2 but with little fallout.

12.45 pm

Heavy rains lash T.N., Puducherry as cyclonic storm Burevi nears

Chennai has been receiving heavy rain since Thursday morning.

Chennai has been receiving heavy rain since Thursday morning.

 

Heavy rains lashed several parts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry starting from last night as cyclonic storm Burevi is all set to cross south Tamil Nadu coast between Pamban and Kanyakumari, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

The storm over north Sri Lanka with a wind speed of 70- 80 kmph gusting to 90 kmph would be centered very close to Pamban around noon on December 4, the department said.

“It would then move nearly west-southwestwards across Pamban area by afternoon and cross south Tamil Nadu coast between Pamban and Kanniyakumari,” the IMD said on its twitter handle.

Under the influence of the weather system, regions including those falling under the Cauvery delta zone like Kodavasal in Tiruvarur district, Nagapattinam, Vedaranyam, Karaikal, Tiruthuraipoondi and Mudukulatur in Ramanathapuram received rainfall between nine cm and a maximum of 20 cm since last night and till this morning.

12.30 pm

'NDRF team ready to serve and save'

Director General of National Disaster Response Force S.N. Pradhan tweeted that the NDRF team has reached all locations and are ready to serve and save.

He shared the map of where the NDRF teams are located and available in order to facilitate administration and to help citizens.

Director General of NDRF S.N. Pradhan shares the availability of the teams at different locations. Photo: Twitter/@satyaprad1

Director General of NDRF S.N. Pradhan shares the availability of the teams at different locations. Photo: Twitter/@satyaprad1

 

12.00 pm

Amit Shah speaks to CMs of T.N., Kerala

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the Modi government is committed to provide all possible help to the people of Tamil Nadu and Kerala in the wake of Cyclone Burevi’s impending landfall along the southern coast.

This was conveyed by the Home Minister to the Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu and Kerala Edappadi Palaniswami and Pinarayi Vijayan, respectively, during telephonic talks.

“Have spoken to Tamil Nadu CM Shri @EPSTamilNadu and Kerala CM Shri @vijayanpinarayi in the wake of Cyclone Burevi. Modi government is committed for all possible support to help people of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Several teams of NDRF are already deployed in both the states” Mr. Shah tweeted.

11.00 am

Chennai Corporation issues flood alert for residents near Adyar river

Chennai Corporation has issued flood warning to residents of neighbourhoods along the banks of Adyar river following the release of water from Chembarambakkam lake.

According to a press release from Greater Chennai Corporation Commissioner G.Prakash, all teams are ready at the lake to give minute-to-minute feedback and to open shutters as per need. "It’s only general alert and to exercise caution amongst the people on the areas nearby." said Mr.Prakash.

10.30 am

Four districts in Kerala put on red alert

Kerala has been put on high alert given the possibility that Cyclone Burevi is likely to pass through Thiruvananthapuram district.

Disaster management mechanisms in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam and Idukki districts have been activated. The State government had identified 2,849 relief camps to evacuate people if needed, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said on Wednesday.

People should not venture outside unless absolutely necessary from Thursday to Saturday, he said. So far 175 families (690 people) have been shifted to 13 camps, he said.

Eight teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed in the seven southern districts.

10.00 am

Modi speaks to T.N. CM, assures all support

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Wednesday, over phone, to discuss the situation emerging due to Cyclone Burevi, and assured the State of all possible support from the Centre.

“Had a telephone conversation with Tamil Nadu CM Thiru @EPSTamilNadu Ji. We discussed the conditions prevailing in parts of the State due to Cyclone Burevi. The Centre will provide all possible support to T.N. I pray for the well-being and safety of those living in the areas affected,” the Prime Minister tweeted.

(With inputs from Agencies)

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