THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Thiruvananthapuram International Airport will remain closed on Friday following a warning from the meteorological department that Cyclone Burevi will make landfall in southern Kerala. The flight operations at the airport will remain suspended from 10 am to 6 pm on Friday. Thiruvananthapuram District Collector said that the move is part of efforts to ensure the safety of airport operations.

Though Cyclone Burevi is expected to weaken and become a depression as it reaches Kerala coast, a red alert has been issued for all southern districts of the state. Although there is no possibility of Burevi causing great damage to Kerala at present, vigilance should be maintained till the wind blows, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said.

The meteorological department has warned that the wind speed will be 60 to 70 kmph when it passes through Kerala. The wind that entered Sri Lanka from the Bay of Bengal moved towards the coast of Tamil Nadu without causing any significant damage there. Authorities believe the winds will weaken further when they reach Kerala off the coast of Tamil Nadu.