The Indian Coast Guard has issued warnings to the mariners and fishing boats to return to the harbour over the prevailing low pressure area over South East Arabian sea. As per India Meteorological Department (IMD), the chances of the low pressure concentrating into depression and intensifying as a ‘Cyclonic Storm’ over East Central Arabian sea later this week is a possibility.
“A Low Pressure Area is very likely to form over Southeast Arabian Sea around 14th May morning, It is very likely to concentrate into a Depression over Lakshadweep area and adjoining Southeast & Eastcentral Arabian Sea by 15th May. It is very likely to move north northwestwards and intensify further into a Cyclonic Storm over Eastcentral Arabian Sea around 16th May and continue to move north- northwestwards for some more time with further intensification,” says the IMD release on Thursday morning.
Karnataka, Kerala and Lakshwadeep coastal regions are expected to expereince windspeeds up to 80 kilometers per hour by 16th May, says the bulletin.
Coast Guard Region (West), taking a preemptive measure has directed it’s Coastal District Commanders of Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and Lakshadweep Islands to relay the weather warnings to the mariners at sea in general and fishing boats in particular to take shelter in nearest port / shore and in addition has issued an advisory to the fishermen ashore not to venture out at sea. Coast Guard ships at sea and Aircraft are reaching out to fishing trawlers, fishing boats and Merchant Mariners relaying them IMD weather warnings on VHF and urging them to return to the shore as soon as possible or take shelter in nearest port or harbour.
The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) has not yet issued a swell warning.