Rain to intensify in Kerala, severe cyclonic storm forming in Bay of Bengal; people asked to exercise extreme caution

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that Kerala will receive heavy rainfall for the next five days. Reports are claiming that the low-pressure area formed in the East Bay of Bengal is intensifying and forming into a severe cyclone. The warning says that Kerala will receive heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and strong winds. The extreme low pressure in the Bay of Bengal is intensifying into a deep depression. It is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm again in the next 12 hours.

It moved northwards at a speed of 17 kmph in the last 6 hours. It is likely to develop into a cyclonic storm over East-Central and adjoining North Bay of Bengal by evening. If it continues to move further north, it will intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by dawn on May 26 and cross the Bangladesh and West Bengal coasts between Sagar Island and Khepupara as a severe cyclonic storm with a wind speed of 110-120, the IMD said.

Due to strong winds and bad weather conditions, fishermen have been advised not to go to sea from the Kerala coast until further notice. The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) said that there is a possibility of high waves of 0.5 to 3.1 metres and rough seas till 11.30 pm on Saturday along the Kerala coast.

As a result of the new low-pressure area, cyclonic circulation prevails over South Kerala as well. As a result, the state is likely to receive heavy rainfall for the next five days, the IMD said.