Arabian Sea Cyclone: Coast Guard advises fishermen to stay ashore or return to nearest harbour

With the Indian Meteorological Department(IMD) predicting a likely Cyclone formation over the Arabian Sea region between May 14 and May 16 (Friday and Sunday), the Indian Coast Guard has issued alerts to fishermen on the Arabian Sea coast and South Tamil Nadu coast. 

“Indian Coast guard has issued advisory to the Fisheries department to warn the fishermen not to proceed to sea and also to return to nearest harbor in view of cyclone building up in Arabian Sea” read the Coast guard statement. 

The IMD has predicted that the first cyclonic storm of the year named Tauktae could be taking shape, as a low-pressure area is very likely to form over the southeast Arabian Sea around May 14 morning.

Predictions from the IMD indicate the possibility of heavy to very heavy rainfall during May 14-16 with isolated heavy rainfall over Lakshadweep on May 14 and 15. Similarly, heavy to very heavy rainfall is predicted over parts of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and interior Karnataka during May 14-16. 

The IMD warning advises fishermen not to venture out to the Southeast Araban sea and adjoining Maldives, Comoric and Lakshadweep area, Kerala Coast from the morning of May 13 and east Central Arabian Sea and off Karnataka-Goa and Maharashtra and Goa Coasts from May 14 night. 

If Cyclone Tauktae reaches the Indian coast, it will be India's first cyclonic storm of this year 2021. The name 'Tauktae' has been given by Myanmar meaning 'gecko'.