Cyclone Ockhi LIVE Updates: PM Narendra Modi Asks BJP Workers to Help People as Storm Approaches Gujarat

National Disaster Management Authority says light to moderate rainfall is expected at most places in Maharashtra, with isolated heavy rainfall over the North Konkan region, over the next 24 hours.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has tweeted regarding Cyclone Ockchi, asking the Gujarat BJP to extend all help to the people of his state:

With #CycloneOckhi expected to make a landfall in Gujarat, I appeal to @BJP4Gujarat Karyakartas to focus on helping people across the state. Our Karyakartas should devote themselves to providing all possible assistance and stand shoulder to shoulder with fellow citizens.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 5, 2017

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has tweeted regarding Cyclone Ockchi, saying that the situation was continuously being monitored:

Continuously monitoring the situation arising in various parts of the country due to #CycloneOckhi. Spoke to all relevant authorities and officials. All possible assistance is being provided to those affected.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 5, 2017

As Mumbai braces for Cyclone Ockhi, areas near the metropolis witnessed a spell of hailstorm early today. The weather department has forecast intermittent rains in Mumbai and suburbs in the next 24 hours. The traffic on Eastern and Western Express Highways in Mumbai has slowed down. There are traffic curbs in some places in view of the rush of followers of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar on his death anniversary tomorrow.

Central Railways is running 10 minutes late, but the frequency of local trains in Mumbai hasn’t been affected, a Railway official tells CNN-News18. Public Relations Officer for the Mumbai Airport says flight operations haven’t been affected.

The India Meteorological Department has warned of heavy rainfall in north Konkan and north Madhya Maharashtra due to the cyclone.

In a port warning issued, the MeT Centre said, "Sea condition would be rough. Fishermen (have been) advised not to venture into the sea till December 6. Hoist Distant Warning Signal Number 2 at all ports". According to an official release, Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani held an urgent meeting with senior officials to take stock of the preparedness. During the meeting, he was apprised that as many as 50 boats from Kerala had drifted towards Gujarat's Veraval coast due to the cyclone, it said.

According to the IMD forecast, wind velocity would remain between 50 kmph to 70 kmph when Cyclone Ockhi makes landfall in Gujarat today. In view of the adverse weather conditions, the RoRo ferry service between Ghogha and Dahej across the Gulf of Khambhat has been suspended. The service, inaugurated recently by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, would resume on December 6 subject if the weather conditions are suitable. According to the IMD, Gujarat is very likely to experience a wet spell during the next four days.

After leaving a trail of destruction on the southern coast, Cyclone Ockhi is expected to make landfall in coastal Gujarat on Tuesday midnight with squally winds and heavy rainfall.

Two National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams each have been deployed in Gujarat’s Surat, Navsari, and Rajkot districts. The Army, Navy, and the Border Security Force (BSF) have been alerted in the view Cyclone Ockhi’s landfall. "According to the IMD forecast, Cyclone Ockhi would enter south Gujarat tomorrow (Tuesday) midnight. This will the impact coastal areas from Umargam (in south Gujarat) till Gir Somnath district (in Saurashtra). We have directed local civic officials as well as the collectors to remain prepared and take all necessary steps for the safety of the people," Revenue Department Principal Secretary Pankaj Kumar told reporters in Gandhinagar.

Here’s what a forecast by India Meteorological Department (IMD) says: "The severe cyclonic storm Ockhi is now laid centered about 850 km south-southwest of Surat and is likely to cross south Gujarat and adjoining North Maharashtra coasts near Surat as a deep depression by midnight of December 5."

After leaving a trail of destruction on the southern coast, Cyclone Ockhi is expected to make landfall in coastal Gujarat today with squally winds and heavy rainfall. Maharashtra, too, is on a state of high alert to deal with the side-effects of the stormy weather. A precautionary holiday has been announced for all schools in the coastal Maharashtra districts of Palghar, Thane, Mumbai, Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg, in view of the predictions for the cyclone.