In a relief for Kerala, cyclonic storm Burevi that lashed the state last night has now weakened into a deep depression, the India Meteorological Department said.
However, the deep depression will remain practically stationary in the same region and weaken into a depression over the next 12 hours.
During this period, it is likely to slowly move west-southwestwards and hit Ramanathapuram and Thoothukudi in neighbouring Tamil Nadu before further weakening into a depression.
Associated wind speed will be about 55-65kmph gusting to 75kmph, the weather agency added.
Several thunderstorms with heavy rain are likely to occur over parts of Tamil Nadu, including Chennai, Kanyakumari, Tiruvallur and Vellore, and Puducherry.
Heavy rainfall is also expected in isolated parts of Andhra Pradesh and Andaman and Nicobar.
The IMD had earlier issued a red alert for five districts in Kerala — Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam and Iddukki. Following this, the state government suspended operations at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport for eight hours.
National Disaster Relief Force teams have been stationed in the state. Relief camps have also been set up in view of the storm’s impending landfall along the southern coast.
The IMD has predicted the cyclonic storm will likely hit Tamil Nadu coast and make a landfall by this evening or tomorrow morning.
For humanitarian assistance and disaster relief assistance, two Indian Navy ships along with four navy crafts have been deployed off Tamil Nadu.
Cyclone Burevi had earlier on Wednesday hit the coast and made a landfall in Sri Lanka before turning back to hit Kerala and parts of Tamil Nadu.
