·

Cyclone “Fani” – Very Severe Cyclonic Storm threatens Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, India

cyclone-fani-very-severe-cyclonic-storm-threatens-tamil-nadu-and-andhra-pradesh-india

A Deep Depression currently located over East Equatorial Indian Ocean and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal is expected to intensify into a Cyclonic Storm (Fani) today and further into a Severe Cyclonic Storm over the next 24 hours. It is very likely to move NW off Sri Lanka coast during the next 72 hours and reach near north Tamil Nadu and south Andhra Pradesh coast on April 30 and make landfall as extremely dangerous Very Severe Cyclonic Storm. This is the second named storm of the 2019 North Indian Ocean cyclone season.

The center of the storm was located about 850 km (530 miles) ESE of Trincomalee, Sri Lanka and 1 180 km (733 miles) SE of Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India at 03:00 UTC on April 27 (08:30 IST). The storm was moving NNW at a speed of 18 km/h (11 mph).

As already mentioned, IMD expects it to strengthen into Cyclonic Storm, and be named Fani, today and then into Severe Cyclonic Storm over the next 24 hours.

The cyclone is expected to continue strengthening and reach Very Severe Cyclonic Storm by 05:30 IST on April 30 (00:00 UTC, April 30) with maximum sustained surface wind speed of 120 – 130 km/h (75 – 80 mph) and gusts to 145 km/h (90 mph). Its center is expected to be located about 280 km (174 miles) ESE of Chennai at the time.

Landfall is expected on April 30 or May 1 as Very Severe Cyclonic Storm with maximum sustained surface wind speed between 135 and 145 km/h (85 – 90 mph) and gusts to 160 km/h (100mph).

Tamil Nadu chief secretary Girija Vaidyanathan directed disaster rescue teams to take positions in areas where Fani is expected to make landfall, TOI reports.

At a high-level meeting with secretaries of government departments and officials of central forces on Friday, chief secretary Girija Vaidyanathan issued a slew of directions, including pre-positioning of disaster response teams in districts where Fani is expected to make landfall, temporary power cuts, the establishment of relief centers…

Vaidyanathan ordered officials to provide an adequate number of buses to transport people to safe locations and stock essential commodities.

INSAT-3D, TIR1, Credit: IMD/Delhi

Warnings issued at 03:00 UTC today:

Heavy rainfall warning

Light to moderate rainfall at many places with heavy falls at isolated places very likely over Kerala on April 29 and 30, 2019. Light to moderate rainfall at few places over north coastal Tamil Nadu and coastal Andhra Pradesh on April 30 and May 1.

Wind warning

Squally wind speed reaching 55 – 65 km/h (55 –  40 mph) gusting to 75 km/h (46 mph) prevailing over East Equatorial Indian Ocean and adjoining central parts of south Bay of Bengal; is very likely to become gale wind speed reaching 60 – 70 km/h (37 – 44 mph) gusting to 80 km/h (50 mph) over Southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining Equatorial Indian Ocean from 27th noon; 90 – 100 km/h (56 – 60 mph) gusting to 115 km/h (72 mph) over Southwest Bay of Bengal and off Sri Lanka coast from the evening of April 28; 120 – 130 km/h (75 – 80 mph) gusting to 145 km/h (90 mph) over Southwest Bay of Bengal, off north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coast from the morning of April 30 and 135 – 145 km/h (83 – 90 mph) gusting to 160 km/h (100 mph) over southwest and adjoining westcentral Bay of Bengal off north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and south Andhra Pradesh Coasts from the morning of May 1.

Strong wind speed reaching 30 – 40 km/h (18 – 25 mph) gusting to 50 km/h (31 mph) likely to commence along and off Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coast, Comorin area and Gulf of Mannar from 28th morning, becoming squally wind speed reaching 40 – 50 km/h (25 – 31 mph) gusting to 60 km/h (37 mph) from the morning of April 29. It is very likely to become squally wind speed reaching 50 – 60 km/h (31 -37 mph) gusting to 70 km/h (45 mph) from 30th morning along Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and south Andhra Pradesh Coasts.

Strong wind speed reaching 30 – 40 km/h (18 – 25 mph) gusting to 50 km/h (31 mph) likely to commence over Kerala from the morning of April 28 and becoming squally wind speed reaching 40 – 50 km/h (25 – 31 mph) gusting to 60 km/h (37 mph) on April 29 and 30.

Sea condition

The sea condition is rough to very rough over East Equatorial Indian Ocean and adjoining central parts of south Bay of Bengal. It is likely to become high over Southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining Equatorial Indian Ocean from today, the 12:00 LT on April 27.

It is very likely to become high to very high over Southwest Bay of Bengal and off Sri Lanka coast from the evening of April 28; very high to phenomenal over Southwest Bay of Bengal, off north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coast from the morning of April 30 and over southwest and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal, off north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and south Andhra Pradesh Coasts from the morning of May 1.

Sea conditions very likely to be rough to very rough along and off Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and south Andhra Pradesh Coasts from April 29 to May 1, 2019.

Fishermen warning

The fishermen are advised not to venture into deep sea areas of Southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining Equatorial Indian Ocean on April 27 and 28; over Southwest Bay of Bengal and off Sri Lanka coast on April 28; Southwest Bay of Bengal, along and off Sri Lanka, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and south Andhra Pradesh coasts from April 29 to May 1.

Those, who are out in deep sea areas are advised to return to the coast by April 28, 2019. 

GFS forecast models

Featured image credit: IMD

Share:

Commenting rules and guidelines

We value the thoughts and opinions of our readers and welcome healthy discussions on our website. In order to maintain a respectful and positive community, we ask that all commenters follow these rules:

  • Treat others with kindness and respect.
  • Stay on topic and contribute to the conversation in a meaningful way.
  • Do not use abusive or hateful language.
  • Do not spam or promote unrelated products or services.
  • Do not post any personal information or content that is illegal, obscene, or otherwise inappropriate.

We reserve the right to remove any comments that violate these rules. By commenting on our website, you agree to abide by these guidelines. Thank you for helping to create a positive and welcoming environment for all.

One Comment

  1. At the turn of the year MAY 1 2022. STARTING APRIL 29TH 2021 GOD WILL AGAIN CHOOSE FOR HIMSELF HIS VERY OWN PEOPLE! ALTHOUGH THEY WERE PUNISHED HE NEVER DID LEAVE THEM INTIRELY, BUT FOR NOW HE IS MAKING A CLEAN SWEEP OF ALL OF YOUR PLACES OF LIVEING WITH HIS MIGHTY STROMS SO THEREFORE MOORE HARRICAINS AND TORNADOS AND THEN THE DARKNESS WILL INDEED COME! AND THEN WE WILL GO HOME!

Leave a Reply to Kenneth cash Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *