Cyclone Ockhi LIVE: Warning Issued to Watch Rising Rivers, Toll Mounts to 12

The Opposition Congress and BJP in Kerala on Friday slammed the LDF government over the alleged delay in initiating precautionary measures and launching rescue operations for fishermen, who got stranded in the rough sea off the coast due to Cyclone Ockhi. The opposition alleged that the CPI(M)-led government failed completely in tackling the emergency situation though it had received prior warning about the cyclone.

#Low pressure over south East #Arabian Sea has organised in #Well marked low. Will intensify into #Depression on Dec 3rd. @SkymetWeather pic.twitter.com/PfpYJMY6yn

— Mahesh Palawat (@Mpalawat) December 1, 2017

Geologist Mahesh Palawat says, "Low pressure over south East Arabian Sea has organised in well marked low. Will intensify into depression on December 3rd."

#ChennaiRains remain on the backseat as #CycloneOckhi moves to #Lakshadweep. https://t.co/Z1jddR8Tnj #Cyclone #ChennaiRains2017 #ChennaiWeather @ChennaiConnect @TamilGuardian @ChennaiTimesTOI @CCTPolice_Alert

— SkymetWeather (@SkymetWeather) December 1, 2017

Skymet: As Cyclone Ockhi heads towards Lakshawadeep, Chennai is spared from more rains.

The Central Water Commission (CWC) has asked authorities in Tamil Nadu to closely monitor the Ponnaiyar river for the next five-seven days after a shutter of the Krishnagiri dam got damaged recently, forcing release of water downstream, and in view of Cyclone Ockhi.

"The lakes around Chennai are also expected to get sufficient inflows during the period between December 2 and 6," the Central Water Commission said.

The Central Water Commission said the Amaravathi and Bhavani rivers and their tributaries in the Cauvery basin were also expected to receive sufficient flows, increasing the water levels in the Amaravathy, Moyar, Pilloor and Bhavanisagar dams in the Nilgiris, Coimbatore and Erode districts of Tamil Nadu.

The Papanasam and Manimutharu dams in Tamil Nadu were likely to get heavy inflows due to the rainfall for the next 12 to 24 hours. The east-flowing Tambraparani river was likely to rise all along its course in Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi districts of the state during the next two-three days, a CWC advisory said.

Warning About Overflowing Rivers

A  Central Water Commission (CWC) advisory said the west-flowing rivers in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Idukki, Kottayam, Alappuzzha and Ernakulam in Kerala were likely to rise over the next 24 hours and then, slowly fall as the rains reduced. However, the rivers in Tamil Nadu's Kanyakumari were likely to remain in a "high flood" situation during the period, the advisory said, adding that the water level in these rivers was expected to dip as the effect of the rainfall reduced.

With the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicting a heavy rainfall at isolated places of Tamil Nadu and Kerala over the next 24 hours in view of Cyclone Ockhi, the Central Water Commission (CWC) on Friday said the pouring might trigger a rapid rise in the water level of the rivers in the two southern states.

Images showing Cyclone Ockhi's movement over Arabian Sea.

Latest IR satellite, JTWC information for Tropical Cyclone #Ockhi churning across the Arabian Sea pic.twitter.com/xBBfNlWNZF

— NWS OPC (@NWSOPC) December 1, 2017

The Indian Ocean Forecast System has issued a warning of high waves in the range of 3.0 - 4.9 meters between December 1 and December 3 along the coast of Kerala from Vizhinjam to Kasargod. Current speeds vary between 47 - 65 cm/sec.

Death Toll Mounts to 12 in Two States

According to a PTI report, the death toll in the two states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu in rain-related incidents rose to 12 on Friday. As the toll due to Cyclone Ockhi in Kanyakumari district mounted to five on Friday, a low pressure system over the South Andaman Sea is expected to turn into a depression in the next 48 hours, which may bring more rain to Tamil Nadu. Chief Minister K Palaniswami announced a solatium of Rs 4 lakh to the kin of each of the victims, an official release said.

Heavy rains continue to lash parts of Tamil Nadu.

Severe Cyclonic storm #Ockhi brings widespread rain in many parts of southern and central #TamilNadu.

— All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) December 1, 2017

Heavy to very heavy rains are likely over Lakshadweep Islands. Areas of Minicoy and Amini Devi are expected to see some torrential rains as well: Skymet report.

Fishermen who were stranded in the Arabian Sea get down from an Indian Navy helicopter after being rescued in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. (Image: Associated Press)

Cyclone Ockhi intensifying.

Rain continues to wreak havoc in #Kerala; #CycloneOckhi intensifies hurtling towards #Lakshadweep.

— All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) December 1, 2017

A PTI report says, 38 fishing boats, stranded in the mid sea, were spotted by the Indian Navy and were provided food and rescue kits. Efforts to locate other boats in the sea were on, the Kerala CMO said adding that the government medical college and general hospital here have been kept ready to provide necessary treatment to fishermen brought to the shore.

Uprooted trees and destruction as seen in Kanyakumari. (Image source: Tamil Nadu Weatherman/Facebook)

Kerala CMO Warns of Huge Waves

Quoting the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's office said that there is a possibility of "huge waves" occurring 10 km off the state's coast till tomorrow evening. Rain and strong winds are likely to continue in different places in the next 24 hours.

An official release said, in order to expedite relief works in the worst-affected Kanniyakumari district, two NDRF teams and seven of the state disaster response agency have been deputed. They, along with local officials, were rescuing people on a 'war-footing' from inundated areas. 

1200 Affected Persons in TN Relief Camps

The Tamil Nadu government said over 1,200 persons affected by Ockhi cyclone in Kanniyakumari and Tirunelveli districts have been lodged in relief camps, as Chief Minister K Palaniswami took stock of the situation. At a review meeting, the Chief Minister asked officials to expedite all works undertaken in the affected areas, even as scores of personnel have been deployed to address various issues, including restoring the power network.

INS Shardul with HADR equipment and items embarked has sailed out of Kochi for Minicoy Island. pic.twitter.com/u5rL4JCZei

— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) December 1, 2017

Orders have been issued to evacuate people from low lying areas of various islands including Kalpeni, Minicoy, Kavratti, Agatti, Androth, Kadamath and Amini in the Union Territory of Lakshadweep, officials said. Quoting the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's office said there is a possibility of "huge waves" occurring 10 km off the state's coast till Saturday evening.

In the latest update, PTI reports: As many as 218 fishermen from Kerala, stranded in the sea off the coast due to inclement weather conditions triggered by cyclone Ockhi, were brought safely to the shore even as the death toll rose to seven in the state.

218 Fishermen Rescued

Indian Navy tweets: Update at 19:30 -- ALH sanitises area upto 25 nm off Vizhinjam. Less likelihood of stranded vessels in the area. Rescue efforts to continue to look for survivors in general area off Kerala coast

Skymet reports: Heavy to extremely heavy rains are likely over #Lakshadweep Islands. Light to moderate with few heavy spells are expected ovr #Kerala and Andaman and the Nicobar Islands.