Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Oct 5: The meteorological department has foreseen the possibility of a low pressure area building up above the Arabian Sea turning into cyclonic storm and hitting coastal Karnataka. It has predicted heavy rainfall in south inland and coastal areas of Karnataka. It has also advised fishermen who are in the sea at present to rush back to the shore before October 5.

The department stated that because of the slump in air pressure over the sea, the sea will turn turbulent and waves will gain enormous size and power. It has asked the fishermen to stay away from activities in the sea from October 5 to 10.

The department said that a low pressure area has been created near Laksha Dweep islands, which will convert into steep fall in air pressure by October 5. It will then worsen and get transformed into cyclone. As per the calculations of the department, the cyclone will then move northwest and is likely to hit the Gulf coast. Director of the department, C S Patil, said that in addition to south inland and coastal Karnataka, areas falling in Tamil Nadu and Kerala too will get good rainfall. At the same time, noting that a low pressure area is getting formed in Sri Lanka coast in the Bay of Bengal, he said chances of steep fall in atmospheric pressure there are bleak.

After the southwest monsoon lost in intensity, there has been a rise in the temperature in coastal regions, as a result of which climate is usually hot in the morning followed by rainfall in the evening. Because of such climate, chances of fall in atmospheric pressure are high. Officials say that the people experience four to five degree Celsius higher than they usually came across in the past because of this situation.

A release from the deputy director of fisheries here said that fishermen have been warned against venturing into the sea from October 6 to 8, and those who are already in the sea have been asked to return before October 5.

President of Malpe Fishermen's Association, Satish Kunder, said that these announcements are made with the help of loudspeakers at Malpe port area. While no boats have gone into the sea since Wednesday, over 500 boats from Malpe area are currently in the sea as of now.