Tamil Nadu, Kerala On Alert As Cyclone Burevi Nears, Landfall Likely Friday

Southern Tamil Nadu and southern Kerala are on high alert as Burevi inches closer to the southern shores. The cyclonic storm is expected to make first contact with the Indian coast somewhere between Pamban and Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu, sometime between tonight and tomorrow morning.

Burevi is likely weaken into into a deep depression on entering Kerala, the weather office said. However, state capital Thiruvananthapuram and six districts are on alert.

Apart from Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Alappuzha, Idukki, and Ernakulam will likely be in Cyclone Burevi's line of fire, the Met department said, as it issued a red alert for Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta and Alappuzha.

Southern Tamil Nadu is also likely to receive heavy rainfall. Pamban, Kanyakumari and state capital Chennai received rain this morning.

The storm has crossed Sri Lanka's Trincomalee in its northern coast, bringing with it heavy rains and strong winds.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan Wednesday morning to offer central government support. "We have discussed matters related to the cyclone with Prime Minister Modi. We have explained steps taken by the state government," the Chief Minister said.

Mr Vijayan said that by Wednesday evening close to 2,500 relief camps had been identified and nearly 700 people were already relocated. He also said fishermen had told not to venture out to sea till Saturday, and that residents had been advised to not leave home unless it is an emergency.

"Eight teams of the NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) have reached the state. Air Force facilities have been arranged at Sulur base in Tamil Nadu's Coimbatore. The Navy is also ready," the Chief Minister said as he outlined measures being taken.

"A State executive meeting, chaired by the Chief Secretary, has met and assessed the situation," he added, reassuring Kerala residents "there is no need to worry".

Mr Vijayan also confirmed that travel restrictions may be imposed in Pathanamthitta district - one of seven expected to receive heavy rainfall - for people going on pilgrimage to Sabarimala.

District disaster management authorities will take the necessary action, he said.

The Chief Minister also said that water levels in the Neyyar, Kalada and Kalki dams would be reduced to prevent flooding. At present, the Neyyar, Aruvikkara, Kalada, Malankara, Shiruvani, Kanjirapuzha and Pothundi dams have been opened.

Around 360 people have been evacuated from the Pamban area in Tamil Nadu already, with relief camps set up in the Ramanathapuram and Kanyakumari districts and 18 NDRF teams deployed in the southern parts of the state. A team is on standby in Puducherry as well.

Worryingly though, 161 fishermen's boats have yet to return to their villages in Kanyakumari.

Tamil Nadu is still recovering from the impact of Cyclone Nivar, which hit just days ago.

(With input from ANI and PTI)