more-in A low pressure area is likely to form over the Southeast Arabian Sea on Friday and could intensify into a cyclonic storm, the regional weather office in Chennai said on Thursday. It warned fishermen against venturing into the sea. Rains are likely in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry in the next three days, with the possibility of heavy rainfall in one or two places, Deputy Director General of Meteorology, Chennai, S Balachandran, told reporters. Also Read IMD issues red alert for Kerala on Oct. 7; State steps up disaster preparedness “A low pressure area is very likely to form over southeast Arabian Sea by tomorrow [October 5]. It is very likely to concentrate into a depression during the subsequent 36 hours and move northwestwards,” he said. It was very likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm and move towards Oman. Tamil Nadu initiates measures The Tamil Nadu government has initiated measures following the IMD forecast. Officials said Collectors have been issued instructions to take required precautionary action. Meetings had been called to review monsoon preparedness. Fishermen warned Fishermen were advised not to venture into the sea from October 5 to 8 over the south Kerala coast, Lakshadweep area, Comorin area, southeast Arabian Sea and the central Arabian Sea, Mr. Balachandran said. “Those who are in deep sea are advised to return to the coast by October 5,” he said. An upper air circulation over the southwest Bay of Bengal adjoining Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka brought heavy rains to many parts of this State and neighbouring Puducherry in the last 24 hours, he pointed out. “Widespread rains are likely in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry in the next three days, with the possibility of heavy showers in one or two places,” he said. In Tamil Nadu, Kattummannarkoil in Cuddalore district and Kullambady in Tiruchirappalli recorded the highest rainfall of 11 cm each in this period. Rameswaram hit by heavy showers Heavy rain has been pounding the temple town of Rameswaram in Ramanathapuram district since Wednesday night. Also, fishermen of the district could not venture into the sea owing to the rainfall and rough sea, fishermen association office-bearers said.

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