New Delhi: Cyclonic storm Burevi is inching close to the Tamil Nadu coast as it is most likely to move west-northwestwards and emerge into Gulf of Mannar near Mannar coast during next three hours. Authorities in Kerala have opened over 2,000 relief camps and banned fishing along the coast as they geared up to deal with the storm. ALSO READ | Farmers' Protest: Demonstration Intensifies At Delhi Borders Ahead Of Round 2 Meet Today

As per India Meteorological Department (IMD), the cyclone with make landfall in Kerala on December 4 (Friday) and a red alert has been issued in four districts of the state.

"Cyclonic Storm Burevi lay centered at 0530 hrs IST of 03rd December over Sri Lanka near Lat. 9.0°N and Long. 80.3°E, about 40 km east of Mannar, 120 km east-southeast of Pamban (India) and 320 km east-northeast of Kanniyakumari (India)," the IMD bulletin at 8:30 am said.


The weather department also stated that Burevi is likely to cross south Tamil Nadu coast between Pamban and Kanyakumari in the night and early Friday morning.

Meanwhile, Amit Shah on Thursday said the Modi government is committed to provide all possible help to the people of Tamil Nadu and Kerala in the wake of Cyclone Burevi's impending landfall along the southern coast.

"Have spoken to Tamil Nadu CM Shri @EPSTamilNadu and Kerala CM Shri @vijayanpinarayi in the wake of Cyclone Burevi. Modi government is committed for all possible support to help people of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Several teams of NDRF are already deployed in both the states" Shah tweeted.


As per reports, eight teams of the National Disaster Rescue Force have already arrived in Kerala, besides the Air Force base at Sulu, near Kovai is already on high alert, while the Indian Navy also is ready.

After making landfall in the neighbouring country, close to Trincomalee, it is very likely to emerge into Gulf of Mannar and adjoining Comorin area -around Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu- on December 3 morning, the IMD predicted.

The cyclone will then move nearly west-southwestwards and cross south Tamil Nadu coast between Kanyakumari and Pamban in the wee hours of December 4, it said.

In south Tamil Nadu and south Kerala, heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely at a few places and extremely heavy showers at isolated places on December 3, the department had said earlier.

Similar spells could be expected on the preceding and following day as well in parts of the two states including Kanyakumari and Thiruvananthapuram.