IMD Issues Advisory for Fishermen as Rough Weather Hits Southern Kerala Coast and Lakshadweep

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has alerted fishermen, prohibiting fishing activities along the southern Kerala coast and Lakshadweep region due to anticipated strong winds and severe weather conditions.

However, there are no fishing restrictions along the Karnataka coast.

On June 1, the IMD forecasts strong winds ranging from 35 to 45 km/h with gusts up to 55 km/h along the southern Kerala coast and Lakshadweep region.

"Strong winds and rough weather conditions are expected on June 1 in Lakshadweep, Maldives region, adjacent southern Kerala coast, Kanyakumari coast, Gulf of Mannar, southeastern and southwestern Bay of Bengal, southeastern Bay of Bengal, and Andaman Sea with wind speeds of 35 to 45 km/h and gusts up to 55 km/h," the advisory stated.

For June 2, strong winds and rough weather conditions are predicted in the Southeastern Arabian Sea, the southwestern Arabian Sea, the southern Bay of Bengal, and the Andaman Sea, with winds of 35 to 45 km/h, gusting up to 55 km/h. Gulf of Mannar, Kanyakumari coast, central and southern Sri Lankan coast, with winds of 45 to 55 km/h, gusting up to 65 km/h.

For June 1-2, strong winds and rough weather conditions are likely at the Somali coast, southwestern Arabian Sea, and central southwestern Arabian Sea with winds of 45 to 55 km/h, gusting up to 65 km/h.

For June 3, strong winds and rough weather conditions are predicted over the southern Bay of Bengal, southeastern Bay of Bengal, central southwestern Bay of Bengal, and the northern Andhra Pradesh coast with winds of 35 to 45 km/h, gusting up to 55 km/h. Gulf of Mannar, Kanyakumari coast, southern Sri Lankan coast, and southwestern Bay of Bengal with winds of 45 to 55 km/h, gusting up to 65 km/h.

On June 4, strong winds and rough weather conditions are likely at the Gulf of Mannar, the southern Bay of Bengal, the central Bay of Bengal, and the northern Andhra Pradesh coast, with winds of 35 to 45 km/h, gusting up to 55 km/h. Somali coast, southwestern Arabian Sea, central southwestern Arabian Sea, and northern Omani coast with winds of 45 to 55 km/h, gusting up to 65 km/h.

On June 5, the same is predicted over the Gulf of Mannar, southern Bay of Bengal, southeastern Bay of Bengal, central southwestern Bay of Bengal, and northern Andhra Pradesh coast with winds of 35 to 45 km/h, gusting up to 55 km/h. Somali coast, southwestern Arabian Sea, central southwestern Arabian Sea, and northwestern Arabian Sea with winds of 45 to 55 km/h, gusting up to 65 km/h.

Fishing activities are prohibited in the above-mentioned regions during the specified periods.

Fishermen and coastal residents are advised to refer to the accompanying map for clarity on the affected maritime zones.

Meanwhile, the monsoon hit the country’s mainland two days in advance of its normal date of onset on June 1. Normally, the southwest monsoon sets in over Kerala on June 1 and it advances over most of northeast India by June 5.

Thus, the southwest monsoon has set in over Kerala two days before the normal date and over northeast India, six days before the normal date, according to the IMD.