According to the latest bulletin by India Meteorological Department (IMD), Cyclone Burevi has weakened into a deep depression. The IMD had earlier stated that Burevi, which crossed the Sri Lanka coast on Wednesday night, would hit Tamil Nadu’s coast as a cyclonic storm. IMD had also issued a red alert for Tamil Nadu and south Kerala.
Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha and Idukki were issued a red alert yesterday, with a holiday being declared in these districts in view of the cyclonic storm. The red alert has, however, been withdrawn in Pathanamthitta, Kollam and Kottayam districts with a yellow alert declared instead. According to IMD, there are indications that Burevi’s trajectory in the state may change. While the cyclone’s intensity may be reduced, the state is expected to receive heavy rainfall while coastal areas would experience strong wind and high tidal waves.
Flight operations at the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport have been suspended from 10 am to 6 pm today following an IMD warning. Thiruvananthapuram is expected to face the brunt of the cyclone, with heavy landfall expected in the district. The Power Board will be operational 24 hours during the period and can be reached at 1912, 94960 and 10101.
KSTRC buses will not ply the roads today. All election-related work will go as scheduled, however. Fishing activities have been suspended till Saturday
Examinations scheduled to be held by the Mahatma Gandhi University, Cochin University and Kerala University on December 4 have been postponed. Although the PSU exams have been rescheduled, the interviews will be held on the said date. The spot admission process at polytechnic colleges, which were to be held today at Kollam, Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta, and Idukki districts, has been postponed.
Eight teams of the National Disaster Response Force and personnel of the Air Force and the Navy have been deployed for rescue and relief operations ahead of the cyclone. Around 217 camps have been opened in Thiruvanthapuram to relocate people residing in high-risk areas, and there are presently 690 people living in 13 camps across the state.
A control room has been opened at the Thiruvananthapuram Collectorate. One can dial 1077 to connect with the control room. One can reach the Thiruvananthapuram Fire Force Control Room at 0471 2330077
Meanwhile, in a tweet, Union Minister Amit Shah said that the government is committed to providing all possible help to the people of Tamil Nadu and Kerala in the wake of Burevi’s impending landfall along the southern coast.
PM Modi also took to Twitter, saying, “Spoke to Kerala CM Shri @vijayanpinarayi Ji on the conditions prevailing due to Cyclonic Storm Burevi in the state. Assured all possible support from the Centre to help Kerala. Praying for the safety and well-being of those staying in the affected areas.”
