THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Met department has withdrawn the red alert declared in Idukki and Malappuram after the formation of low pressure area above Arabian Sea along Lakshadweep coast.

The red alert was withdrawn after the depression moved towards west direction. But in Thiruvananthapuram, the Yellow Alert will remain till Monday. Yellow alert has also been declared in Pathanamthitta, Thrissur, Wayanad, Kollam and Kozhikode districts for Saturday and Sunday. In Palakkad district, it is Orange alert.

Earlier, there was forewarning that the depression above the Arabian Sea, formed on Friday evening, would gain strength as cyclone. In accordance with this, there is high alert in Kerala. Disaster Management team, government, district collectors and officers of departments of revenue, fisheries, electricity and water resources are prepared to meet any eventuality.

Idukki, Mullaperiyar and Edamalayar dams are under close observation. Though cyclone may not hit Kerala, there are chances for strong winds.
There is also another low depression in Bengal deep sea. If this moves towards south, there will be heavy damages in Kerala.

Luban storm

The low-pressure formation is expected to intensify into a cyclonic storm and cut a swathe towards the Oman coast over the weekend. It is Oman which has named this as Luban.

If it turns east 300 km before reaching Oman, it will hit Pakistan coast or Gujarat at a speed of 100km/hr.