The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Thursday said that cyclonic strom 'Maha' in the Arabian Sea has intensified into severe cyclonic storm. Under its influence, Lakshadweep was likely to receive extremely heavy rainfall, even as the IMD has issued "red message" for the island. The "red message" technically refers to "take action," meaning the State Government machinery has to remain on standby.
According to IMD, tidal wave by about one metre height above the astronomical tides is very likely to inundate low lying areas of Lakshadweep Islands during next 12 hours. Sea conditions over Lakshadweep area and adjoining southeast Arabian Sea will be high to very high during the next 24 hours and rough to very rough in the subsequent 24 hours.
"The cyclonic storm MAHA over Lakshadweep and adjoining southeast Arabian Sea moved further north-northwestwards and intensified into a severe cyclonic storm and lay centered over east central Arabian Sea and adjoining Lakshadweep area about 90 km north-northeast of Aminidivi (Lakshadweep) and 25 km east-north east of Chetlat(Lakshadweep). It is "very likely" to continue to move north-northwestwards across north Lakshadweep Islands," IMD said.
Later, Maha is very likely to intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm over east central Arabian Sea during 24 hours, it said. As the cyclone intensified, the IMD said gale winds very likely to increase upto 100-110 kmph gusting to 120 kmph over eastcentral Arabian Sea from midnight.
During the next 24 hours, gale wind speed reaching 80-90 kmph gusting to 100kmph was likely to prevail over northern parts of Lakshadweep area and adjoining southeast Arabian Sea during the subsequent 24 hours and decrease gradually. Fishermen were advised not to venture over eastcentral Arabian Sea till November 4, IMD said.