Depression in Arabian Sea likely to intensify into cyclonic storm
Formation of depression over south-east and adjoining east-central Arabian sea has opened the possibility of heavy rains in Kerala. The government of the flood-hit state has thus stepped up its vigil to deal with the situation. The depression is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm in the next 24 hours, the IMD said, adding it will move north west towards South Oman and adjoining Yemen coasts during the next five days.
Following the forecast by the IMD, a special coordination cell with officials from Kerala state disaster management and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been opened by the additional chief secretary and the disaster management department.
The cell will function overnight in the Government secretariat. The water level in various dams is also being closely monitored by the government.
In view of the heavy rain forecast, shutters of nearly 22 dams including Cheruthoni, part of the Idukki reservoir, Malamapuzha, Neyyar, Kallada and Pamba have been opened to release water, as a precautionary measure.
Fishermen have been advised not to put out to sea as the sea condition is expected to become rough to very rough from Saturday, over southeast Arabian sea and adjoining central Arabian Sea.
Kerala was hit by devastating floods in August this year, claiming 493 lives.
The floods in the state had left behind a trail of unprecedented destruction, making it the worst in the last 100 years.
