As the governments of Kerala and Tamil Nadu prepared to face the effects of Cyclone Burevi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced on Thursday morning he was committed to providing "all possible support" to the two states.
Shah tweeted, "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."
The Indian Meteorological Department tweeted at 10.50am that Cyclone Burevi would emerge into the Gulf of Mannar in the next three hours "to reach near Pamban around noon and cross south Tamil Nadu coast between Pamban and Kanniyakumari during 3rd night/4th early morning".
Kerala
The IMD has issued a red alert (heavy to very heavy rains of over 20 cm in 24 hours) for Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta and Alappuzha districts and orange alert (6 cm to 20 cm rain) for Kottayam, Ernakulam and Idukki districts on Thursday. A yellow alert has been sounded in Thrissur and Palakkad districts.
Winds of up to 60 kmph are expected in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta and Alappuzha districts on Friday.
Authorities have geared up to tackle the situation by opening 2,849 relief camps and taking other steps including banning fishing along the coast till December 5. The state government has also asked the people to avoid travel to high-range areas in view of the heavy rain predicted.
"Eight teams of the NDRF have reached the state. The facilities of the Air Force have been arranged at Sulur Air Force base in Coimbatore. The Navy is also ready. A State executive meeting, chaired by the chief secretary, has met and assessed the situation," Vijayan told reporters on Wednesday.
Tamil Nadu
Virudhunagar district received 97.60mm of rainfall since Wednesday night, the New Indian Express reported as the effects of Cyclone Burevi increased. The Tamil Nadu government had said officials were monitoring reservoirs and other waterbodies in Kanniyakumari, Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, Thoothukudi, Ramanathapuram, and Sivaganga constantly.
(With inputs from onmanorama)
