Sri Vijaya Puram, Sep 17: Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea along and off the Andaman and Nicobar coasts till September 20 as squally weather, gusty winds and heavy rain are forecast across the islands over the coming days.
Winds are expected to reach 35-45 kmph and occasionally gust up to 55 kmph along and off the A&N coasts. The conditions are likely to persist alongside periods of heavy rainfall and thunderstorms.
For today, September 17, heavy rain measuring 7-11 cm is very likely at one or two places over the Nicobar Islands. Thunderstorms accompanied by gusty winds of 40-50 kmph and lightning are also very likely at one or two places over the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The weather is expected to intensify on September 18, when heavy to very heavy rain of 7-20 cm is very likely at one or two places over the A&N Islands. Thunderstorms with gusty winds of 40-50 kmph and lightning are also likely at one or two places.
Heavy rain of 7-11 cm is forecast at one or two places over the A&N Islands on September 19, 20, 21 and 22. Thunderstorms with gusty winds reaching 40-50 kmph and lightning are also very likely at one or two places during these days.
The squally conditions along and off the coast, with winds occasionally reaching 55 kmph, have prompted the advisory for fishermen to remain ashore through September 20.
The sea restriction covers fishing activity along and off the A&N coasts during the advisory period. The forecast also indicates that thunderstorms and lightning will accompany the expected weather conditions at isolated locations across the islands.
The combination of rough coastal conditions, gusty winds and periods of heavy to very heavy rainfall has made the sea advisory the key precautionary measure for fishermen during the forecast period.
