A Yellow Alert has been sounded for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands as a cyclonic storm is moving towards the archipelago, the Home Ministry said.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an alert warning of heavy rainfall over the Andaman Islands from Saturday to Monday due to cyclonic storm Pabuk. The weather department has advised total suspension of fishing operations over Andaman Sea and adjoining southeast and east central Bay of Bengal between Friday and Monday.
The sea condition will be high over the Andaman Islands, the Andaman Sea and the adjoining areas of east-central and the south-east Bay of Bengal till 7 January due to the cyclonic storm "Pabuk.”
According to the Home Ministry, Pabuk originated over the Gulf of Thailand and neighbourhood, moved west-northwestwards with a speed of 10 kilometres per hour and lay centred over Thailand and neighbourhood.
The storm will become very rough over the south-east and the east-central Bay of Bengal, the Andaman Islands and the adjoining Andaman Sea by 8 January and rough over east-central and adjoining south-east Bay of Bengal by 8 January.
However, the sea condition will be very rough over the Nicobar Islands till Sunday.
The officials warned people in the Andaman Islands to remain in safe places.
The Weather Department has advised total suspension of fishing operation over the Andaman Sea and adjoining south-east and the east-central Bay of Bengal till 7 January and over east-central and adjoining south-east Bay of Bengal till 8 January.
Fishermen are advised not to venture into the Andaman Sea and adjoining south-east and east-central Bay of Bengal during the period, the official said.