Thiruvananthapuram: Cyclone Buveri that arose from Bay of Bengal made landfall at Sri Lanka. Subsequently, the meteorology dept has forecast the 90 kmph cyclonic winds to race through Thiruvananthapuram district on Friday. The intensity of the storm is expected to last through Saturday and the state is fully geared to combat any situation, said Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Caution measures were discussed with the Prime Minister. Four districts are put on red alert. Dams have been opened as precautionary measure as well. Control room number is 1077.
In Sri Lanka, Buveri is passing between Trinkomali and Mulletheevin regions From there, the storm is expected to enter southern tip of Tamil Nadu. Heavy rains have already begun in Tamil Nadu. Districts of Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Alappuzha and Idukki are set to have high winds and heavy downpours. The scenario is likely to continue through Saturday. Seas are expected to turn stormy.
In Thiruvananthapuram, people residing in high-risk areas are being evacuated to safety. 180 camps with all necessary arrangements have been set up for the purpose. Around 11,050 people can be sheltered safely at these camps. Local self-government institutions and co-operative bodies have begun evacuation processes.
The cyclone is predicted to hit Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Alappuzha and Idukki at windspeeds of 60 km per hour. Ernakulam and few places in Idukki will experience winds between 30 – 40 kmph. Low-lying areas and cities are likely to have flooding and hilly areas could witness landslids and mudslides.
Eight teams of National Disaster Management teams have been deployed. Air Force arrangements have been made at Silur base in Tamil Nadu. Navy too is in ready mode. The 24-hour functional control room is ready as well. The Disaster Authority held assessment meetings in all districts. It has been instructed to take safety measures in context of Sabarimala pilgrimage.
The cooperation from all sections of public has helped the state brace-up to disasters so far. That’s the kind of support needed this time too, said CM.
Dams opened
The shutters of various dams have been raised in precaution. Dams opened across districts are : Thiruvananthapuram - Neyyar, Aruvikkara, Kollam - Kallada, Idukki –Maankara, Kundala, Palakkad – Shiruvani, Kathirupuzha, Valayar, Pothundi, Wayanad – Karapuzha. Water levels have been reduced to 80 percent capacity at dams of Kallada, Neyyar and Kakki. Preparations are also underway to relieve smaller dams if found necessary.
Red Alert in 4 Districts
Red alert has been issued for four districts for Thursday- Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, and Alappuzha. These districts are expected to have rains above 204.5 cm in the next 24 hours. Kottayam, Alappuzha and Idukki are on orange alert. Orange alerts will hold in districts of Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Alappuzha, Ernakulam and Idukki on Thursday. Thrissur and Palakkad goes under Orange alert on Thu-Friday. And, there is yellow alert for Saturday in districts of Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam and Idukki.
