Cyclone Ockhi LIVE UPDATES: Navy dispatches relief to cyclone-hit Lakshadweep islands

Navy personnel carry out rescue operations in Lakshadweep on Monday following the cyclone Ockhi.

As a precautionary measure, the Maharashtra government has declared a holiday for schools and colleges in four districts. Though Cyclone Ockhi, which was expected to make landfall in Maharashtra, has now moved away from state’s coast, parts of the state are expected to receive light to heavy rainfall in the next 24 hours.

The Indian Meteorological Department recorded 14mm rain in Colaba and 11.2 mm in Santacruz till 5.30 am. An IMD forecast at 3.30 am said Cyclone Ockhi is 360km away from Mumbai, moving north-northeastwards and is weakening gradually.

Cyclone Ockhi is now expected to make a landfall in the Gulf of Khambhat and Surat on December 6.

Cyclone Ockhi live updates: 

01:17 pm: Goa assesses damage; shack owners to seek compensation.

01: 10 pm: “People have been advised not to go out at night. Those living in kachha houses will be given shelter, NDRF is on alert. Municipality and local bodies are working on their level,” stated Surat District Magistrate Mahendra Patel.

12: 34 pm: Indian Navy dispatches relief to cyclone-hit Lakshadweep islands.

12:10 pm: Cyclone Ockhi’s distance from Mumbai as per 11:30 hours update is 230 kilometers.

12:01 pm:  Intermittent rain/thundershower very likely to occur in Mumbai and adjoining suburbs, heavy rainfall at few places. Squally wind speed reaching 50-60 kmph gusting to 70 kmph very likely along coastal area.

11: 40 am: Roads water logged near Andheri subway which happens to be a chronic flooding spot.

Waterlogging at Andheri subway. (Express Photo)

11:17 am: “With Cyclone Ockhi expected to make a landfall in Gujarat, I appeal to BJP 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,” tweeted PM Modi.

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

11.03 am: A hailstorm was reported along the Mumbai-Pune expressway this morning, PTI quotes the police as saying. There’s also been an increase in traffic on the Eastern and Western Express Highways in Mumbai due to the rain.

Traffic near the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus railway station on Monday evening (Express Photo/Janak Rathod)

10.31 am: Meanwhile, BJP president Amit Shah’s political rallies in Gujarat have been called off due to the imminent cyclone, reported ANI. He was to hold rallies in Rajula, Mahuva and Shihor.

10.27 am: According to an IMD bulletin this morning, Mumbai and its suburbs are likely to receive intermittent rain/thundershowers over the next 24 hours. “Heavy rainfall is likely at a few places with squally wind speed reaching 50 to 60 kms per hour gusting to 70 kms per hour very likely along coastal area in next 24 hours,” IMD added, reported PTI.

9.30 am:  The Indian Coast Guard has till now rescued over 180 fishermen from the seas.

“As on Monday, operations are continuing and till the filing of this report, 19 additional fishermen have been rescued from remote islands of L&M (Lakshadweep and Minicoy). Thus, a total of 183 precious lives have been saved by the Coast Guard. Even as cyclone Ockhi has now moved north of L&M islands, deployment of ships and aircraft are continuing in the area to search for the persons stranded at sea. During the ongoing search operations, the Coast Guards personnel are toiling in extremely unfavourable sea conditions and yet maintaining momentum to sustain efforts of saving lives,” the Coast Guard said in a statement.

9.10 am: IMD will release their next update on Cyclone Ockhi after 11.30 am.

9.00 am: Schools and colleges in Mumbai, Sindhudurg, Thane, Raigad and Palghar districts are shut for the day as a precautionary measure.