Thiruvananthapuram/Chennai: A low pressure area over Indian Ocean and adjoining Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a depression and later into Cyclone Fani before reaching the north Tamil Nadu coast on April 30, the India Meteorological Department said Thursday.
The Indian Metereological Department (IMD) forecast light to moderate rainfall at many places in coastal Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Kerala on Sunday (April 28) and said rain was likely at isolated places in South coastal Andhra Pradesh. The coast of Kerala is likely to experience heavy rainfall from April 29 to May 1.
"It (depression) is very likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm during the subsequent 24 hours," the IMD said. While the cyclone's speed will hover around 90-100 kmph, the agency added that the wind speed will reach 40-50 kmph in Kerala.
A yellow alert has been issued to the districts of Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur and Malappuram for April 29 due to the possibility of heavy rainfall. Restrictions have also been imposed for the time being on fishing in the area.The Disaster Management Authority has instructed the district authorities to facilitate camps in areas prone to heavy rainfall and landslides from April 28. The public has been advised to stay away from hilly areas during nightfall.
The name 'Fani' has been recommended by Bangladesh. It means fan in Bangladesh.
Sea attack: homes damaged
The sea attack which occured in Thiruvanathapuram has already inflicted damage to several pockets in the capital. The areas from Valiyathura to Chirayankeezhu are the ones most affected. Around 100 houses were flooded and some were severely damaged.
The sea has also made inroads into many prominent tourist destinations such as Shankumugham beach. Machinery and boats have been destroyed following the flooding of the area. The police have been instructed to clear the area of tourists. Many families have been relocated to camps for the time being.
Monsoon-future course
In an earlier interview, Dr K J Ramesh, Director General of the IMD had said that the pre-monsoon showers will come as a relief to Kerala. He added that the chances are that the southern state will receive the same amount of rain as last year. Though IMD reports confirm the arrival of monsoon at the scheduled time period, some scientists have expressed concern that the monsoon maybe delayed.
Dr Ramesh says that the predictions for the same can be made around mid-May. The low pressure belt has been created in the interior India on account of the extreme heating will prepare the way for the rain clouds from the South Pole to enter the Indian subcontinent.
It is likely that the drop in the temperatures near Equator will limit the El-Nino effect this year. The weather agencies from Australia, US and Europe has already confirmed this possibility. This will ensure a good monsoon. The temperatures around the Indian Ocean (Dipole) are also favourable for this times monsoon. When the Indian Ocean region is comparatively more heated up than the nearby regions, that phenomenon is called Indian Ocean Dipole. It might also result in a heavy downpour at the coastal regions.
