Cyclone Ockhi Live Updates: PM Modi calls TN CM Palaniswami, assures full assistance

Cyclone Ockhi Live Updates: Over 200 fishermen from Kerala, who were left stranded in the sea because of inclement weather conditions, were brought safely to the shore by Friday night.

By: Express Web Desk | New Delhi | Updated: December 2, 2017 11:22 am
Cyclone Ockhi has claimed at least 12 lives till now Cyclone Ockhi Live Updates: Two men hold umbrellas to protect themselves from the rain as they stand next to a fishing boat on the Arabian Sea coast in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala (AP Photo)

Cyclone Ockhi has claimed at least 12 lives so far even as it intensified into a ‘severe’ cyclone on Friday, causing heavy rains in the coastal areas of Kerala and south Tamil Nadu. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has already warned that “high waves” towering 3-4.9m would be seen 10 km off Kerala’s coast from 6.30 pm to 11.30 pm today. Over 200 fishermen from Kerala, who were left stranded in the sea because of inclement weather conditions, were brought safely to the shore by yesterday night. READ MORE

With the Kerala government issuing an alert for all coastal districts, IMD director general K J Ramesh told The Indian Express that the worst impact of the cyclone is likely to be over by today evening.

According to a joint bulletin issued by IMD and Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) released yesterday, the severe cyclonic storm, centred over Lakshadweep, is likely to further intensify in the next 12 hours. At least 10 locations on the islands would witness high waves ranging from 4.8-7.4m in the next 24 hours, along with “heavy to very heavy rainfall”, said the bulletin.

ALSO READ | What is cyclone Ockhi?

Various units of the National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) and the Indian Navy have been engaged in the relief work and have been working strenuously to bring out the stranded people.

Cyclone Ockhi Live Updates: 

11:20 am: The ‘very severe’ cyclonic storm Ockhi over Lakshadweep is likely to intensify further in the next 24 hours. It is likely to continue to move west-northwestwards across Lakshadweep islands during the next 24 hours and then recurve north eastwards during the subsequent 48 hours, according to the latest Met department bulletin.

Gale winds with speed reaching 120-130kmph gusting to 145kmph is very likely over Lakshadweep in the next 24 hours and gradually decrease thereafter, the met bulletin said.

11: 05 am:

10: 40 am: Prime Minister Narendra Modi called Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami yesterday night and assured full assistance in the wake of Cyclone Ockhi. During the phone call, Palaniswami  told PM Modi that his government will soon seek central funds for the damage caused by Cyclone Ockhi in the southern parts of the state, said a state government release.

The release also stated that Kanyakumari and Tirunelveli districts were the worst hit in the state.

10: 35 am: Low-pressure area in the Andaman Sea has intensified into a well-marked Low-pressure area, depression is likely to form in the next 48 hours, predicts Skymet.

10: 15 am: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah assures assistance to all those affected by Cyclone Ockhi. “My thoughts go out to all those affected by Cyclone Ockhi. Karnataka is ready to provide any assistance to our neighbouring brothers and sisters in this difficult time.”

10: 05 am:  105 fishermen in eight boats who were drifted ashore at Androth (L&M islands) are fine & shall be repatriated upon improvement in weather, says Indian Navy.

10:00 am: Very severe Cyclone Ockhi to intensify, Lakshadweep to get very heavy rains, predicts Skymet.

8: 50 am:

8 15 am: The very severe cyclone Ockhi continued to maintain its strength over Lakshadweep. The system may intensity further and move across the Islands. Thereafter, it may recurve northeastwards, reports Skymet.

8: 00 am: 

ALSO READ | Cyclone Ockhi highlights: Death toll rises to 12 as heavy rains lash Kerala, Tamil Nadu

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