A low pressure area formation has led to a tropical storm being brewed in the Arabian Sea, moving towards the coast of Oman, leading the Indian Meterological Department to issue a warning of a possible cyclonic storm, and predictive heavy to very heavy rainfall Friday in South India.
An official from IMD said, “It is still a low pressure area, not a cyclone as of now. It is very likely to concentrate into a depression and move north-west towards the coast of Oman in the next 36 hours. Right now we will only experience high rainfall.” If it does intensify into a cyclone, it will be named ‘Luban’, Skymet added.
In the last 24 hours ending 8.30am, Kattumannarkoil in Cuddalore district and Pullambadi in Trichy district received the maximum rainfall of 11cm each, followed by Tiruchendur in Tuticorin district (10 cm). Chennai received 3cm of rain. Schools in Tiruvarur, Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Pudukkottai, Salem and Puducherry districts remain shut, as announced by the Collectors of the respective areas.
It is likely to intensify further into a depression in subsequent 36 hours&then move northwestwards&develop into a cyclonic storm&again move in northwest direction towards Oman Coast: K Santosh, Director #Kerala Meteorological Department pic.twitter.com/5VN2h83zrG
— ANI (@ANI) October 4, 2018
Officials in Chennai said District Collectors in Tamil Nadu have been instructed to take required precautionary action, adding meetings have already been called to review northeast monsoon preparedness. Officials also advised schools across Tamil Nadu to remain shut as there was a possibility of heavy showers in neighbouring union territory, Puducherry as well.
Wednesday evening saw rain pouring, leading to many educational institutions in parts of Puducherry to remain closed on Thursday. Many areas of Puducherry were waterlogged due to the incessant showers which also caused traffic jams.
An emergency meeting of the Revenue and Disaster Management Department was chaired by the district Collector to review the situation.
Two months after unprecedented rains flooded the state, leaving upto 488 dead, the Kerala CM Office also issued instructions to the State Disaster Management Authority and district authorities to be on alert and take necessary precautions.
