Context

The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) set up 11 shelter camps in the state as cyclonic storm Maha in the Arabian Sea intensified into a severe cyclonic storm. It urged fishermen not to venture into the sea, putting several districts on yellow alerts.

About

• Storm not likely to hit state directly. However, there would be heavy wind and rain.
• The India Meteorological Department (IMD) stated that the storm was over Lakshadweep and adjoining southeast Arabian Sea, moving north-north westwards.
• It intensified into a severe cyclonic storm and lay cantered over east-central Arabian Sea and adjoining Lakshadweep area, about 325 kilometre west-northwest of Kozhikode.
• With the cyclone intensified, the IMD forecast wind at 100-110 kilometre per hour, gusting 120 kmph over east-central Arabian Sea.
• Lakshadweep is likely to receive extremely heavy rainfall and the IMD issued a “red message” for the island.

Cyclone Maha

• Cyclone Maha, the fourth cyclone this year in the Arabian Sea, is set to intensify further into a 'Severe Cyclonic Storm'
• The depression that had developed in the Comorin Sea, gained strength and turned into a cyclonic storm.
• An Orange alert has already been issued in four districts of Kerala —Ernakulam, Thrissur, Malappuram and Kozhikode.

·Cyclone Kyarr, the first super cyclonic storm in Arabian Sea in last 12 years, gradually weakens, stated IMD. ·The cyclone is very likely to weaken into a "Deep Depression"