Mangaluru, (The Hindu): With the possibility of formation of a low pressure over South East Arabian Sea by Friday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has not only said that there will be heavy rain over Coastal and South Interior Karnataka in the next five days but has also urged fishermen not to venture into the sea.

In a communiqué here, the IMD has urged fishermen who are in deep seas to return to the shore immediately. The Fisheries Department too has been making public announcements at fishing harbours/ports, including Mangaluru, Malpe, Gangolli, Bhatkal, Honnavar and Karwar and sent out messages to fishermen who are in the sea to return to the shore.

The low pressure, IMD said, is very likely to concentrate into a depression during the subsequent 36 hours, and move in the North West direction. The depression is further very likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm and move towards Oman coast, the department said.

Meanwhile, areas in Coastal and South Interior Karnataka continued to receive moderate to heavy rain in the last one day. Mani in Dakshina Kannada and Karkala in Udupi district received 70 mm rain till 8.30 a.m. on Thursday even as Puttur and Moodbidri in Dakshina Kannada received 50 mm rainfall.

The IMD has issued a forecast predicting light to moderate rain till October 7 and widespread medium to heavy rain on October 8 and 9 over Coastal and South Interior Karnataka.

The Coast Guard, meanwhile, has issued an advisory to recall fishing boats from the sea. Its ships and aircraft are tasked to warn as well as shepherd fishing boats to safety, said a communique from Coast Guard district headquarters, Mangaluru.

On Thursday afternoon, people in Mangaluru were caught by surprise when the clear skies of the morning turned dark and it began pouring soon. Heavy lightning and thunder accompanied rainfall resulting in power outage and fluctuation across the city.

Many who did not anticipate that it might rain and were unprepared got drenched. Nevertheless, the rainfall brought welcome relief to residents as well as agriculturists who had been witnessing a near summer-like season for the past one month. Drying up of surface water and depletion in the groundwater level had become a cause for concern for many.