Cyclone Ockhi updates: Death toll in Tamil Nadu, Kerala mounts to 12; Central Water Commission issues advisory

Twelve Goa beaches affected by rising sea water

Twelve beaches in Goa have been affected by the rising sea level caused by Cyclone Ockhi, revenue minister Rohan Khaunte said on Tuesday. He said preliminary estimates suggested that the damage caused by the cyclone, which skimmed Goa's coastline, was between Rs 20 lakh and Rs 30 lakh.

Those affected by the natural calamity have two days to approach government agencies with details of damage to their properties to get compensation, he told the media. - IANS

Kerala govt under fire for lax response to disaster

Revenue minister and state disaster management authority (SDMA) vice-chairman E Chandrashekharan, who is supposed to coordinate the rescue and relief efforts, was seen nowhere in the picture even when the storm battered the coast and displaced hundreds of fishing families and destroyed their houses.

The chief minister and his colleagues have been claiming that the government was doing everything possible to save the fishermen stranded in the sea. But the hapless fisherfolk did not believe them. They have enough reasons not to trust the state government, which let down the fishermen by not acting on the weather alerts that they received from the meteorological department and other agencies.

Vijay Rupani to hold press conference at 5.30 pm

According to The Times of India, Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani is expected to hold a press conference on Cyclone Ockhi at 5.30 pm on Tuesday in Surat.

Two merchant ships rescued in Lakshadweep: MHA

The Ministry of Home Affairs said that two merchant ships and 16 crew members have been rescued in Lakshadweep, The Indian Express reported.

Kerala govt cancels inaugural gala of IFFK

The Kerala government has cancelled the inaugural ceremony of the upcoming International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) in the wake of cyclone Ockhi affecting many districts in the state.

The IFFK, which attracts a large number of cinema aficionados and film personalities from across the country, is scheduled to begin on 8 December.

Cyclone is just 380 kilometres from Surat

According to latest forecast released by the Meteorological Centre, the cyclone is now just 390 kilometres away from Surat. It is approaching Gujarat steadily and now lies centred in the Arabian Sea.

Search intensifies to find 92 missing fishermen

The Kerala government said intensified search and rescue operations are on to trace the 92 fishermen missing in high seas after Cyclone Ockhi hit the state's coast.

'Operation Synergy,' a joint rescue mission by the Indian Navy, the Air Force, Coast Guard and state fisheries department had so far rescued 252 fishermen stranded in the seas in the aftermath of the cyclone.

Goa assesses damage caused due to cyclone

 The North Goa district has done a preliminary assessment of the damage caused due to Cyclone Ockhi in the coastal state.

Also, the shack owners, whose establishments suffered damages following high tide during to the cyclone, have decided to approach the state tourism department to seek compensation for their losses.

Take a look at how Cyclone Ockhi progressed on 5 December

Weather expected to start improving by 7 December

Squally winds in order of 60-70 kmph, reaching up to 80 kmph are likely in Mumbai for next 36-48 hours, weather reports have said.

Moreover, the sea conditions are also expected to remain rough to very rough. As the storm surge will be high, this may even lead to local flooding in the low-lying areas.

The weather is expected to start improving by 7 December but until then, it is advised for the locals to stay cautious.

Fishing activities suspended for 2 days: Fishermen advised not to venture out in sea

With 22mm of rain in the past 24 hours, Mumbai broke the decade-old December rain record. According to Skymet, last time Mumbai witnessed the highest rains was in the year 2014 which was a mere 1.5 mm.

Strong surface winds will continue to blow over Mumbai in view of Cyclone Ockhi. The winds may gust up to 60 kmph in some area.

Fishermen have been advised to not venture out in the sea as the conditions will remain rough. Fishing activities should remain suspended for another two days at least.

Mumbai may experience intermittent rainfall on 6 December

In the last 24 hours, Santa Cruz has recorded 22 mm of rains and Colaba saw 23 mm of rainfall.

As per weathermen, intensity of rains in Mumbai will be more with moderate spells lashing the region and one or two heavy spells of rains could also be witnessed. Weather predictions did not rule out the possibility of some rain on 6 December.

Cyclone Ockhi will cross South Gujarat, North Maharashtra as Deep Depression by 5 Dec midnight

The intensity of this weather system has now reduced and at present, it lies over east central Arabian Sea, approximately 480 km south-southwest of Surat and 300 km west-southwest of Mumbai as a severe cyclone, reports said. 

This system is very likely to continue to move north-northeastwards and weaken further. This will cross South Gujarat and adjoining North Maharashtra coast near Surat as a Deep Depression by midnight of 5 December.

More Rains In Surat, Rajkot, Valsad, Ahmedabad

According to Skymet, the severe Cyclone Ockhi has weakened to a cyclone and is inching towards Gujarat. Though the intensity of these showers was light to moderate, these rains helped in plummeting the daytime high by a few notches. However, these rains were mainly confined to the southern and central parts of the state.

The weather models were already predicting some rains for Gujarat which were a result of cyclone Ockhi that started travelling towards northwest India. As of now, more rains are expected to continue over Gujarat.

In the last 24 hours, from 08:30 am as on Monday, Mahuva recorded 13 mm of rains, Diu 8 mm, Valsad 7 mm, Surat and Ahmedabad 1 mm, Veraval 0.6 mm while the stations such as Surendranagar, Gandhinagar, Idar, and Kandla witnessed some light traces of rains.

Light rains in Andheri, Lokhandwala

Twitter user @skiy7 tweeted visuals from Lokhandwala in Andheri West

In view of Mumbai rains, all roads leading up to Dadar Chowpatty have been closed to avoid traffic snafu, reports said

High alert issued in Gujarat and Maharashtra

Police stop people from going near beaches

Mumbai police putting up barricades near Dadar chowpatty and Juhu chowpatty to prevent people from going near the beaches.

Visuals from near Bandra-Worli sealink

Firstpost has not independently verified this video.

Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for Science & Technology tweets about the cyclone

Severe Cyclone Ockhi has now weakened into a Cyclone, is 230 km WSW of Mumbai

IMD's press release detailing conditions and the actions suggested

Visual representation of the cyclone

Don't trust rumours about Bandra-Worli Sea Link, says Mumbai Police

Several rumours are going "viral" on social media regarding Cyclone Ockhi and Mumbai Rains. #MumbaiRains started trending on Twitter on Monday and videos and GIFs have been circulating on social media and several Whatsapp groups which are more alarming in nature than true. 

Urging people not to trust unverified news, Mumbai Police on Tuesday said the "news" that Bandra-Worli Sea Link has "collapsed" is untrue. (The video attached here is by Twitter user @radhika1705). Similarly, videos of hailstorm near Mumbai circulating on Whatsapp groups and social media are unverified and it's wise not to trust every video or "news" that comes your way. 

Take a look at the Mumbai rain figures for the last 10 years in the month of December

BMC has made arrangements for accommodation in some civic schools for people coming from outside Mumbai to pay tributes to Ambedkar

The BMC has made arrangements for accommodation in some civic schools for people coming from outside Mumbai to pay tributes to Ambedkar at Chaityabhumi in Dadar area.

"Intermittent rain/thundershowers very likely to occur in Mumbai and suburbs in next 24 hours," said a report of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) Mumbai at 8 am. "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," it further said.

Cyclone Ockhi currently less than 420-km southwest of Mumbai

Suburban train services running as normal. Water logging at some parts on WE highway near Goregaon, jogeshwari. The Central Railway has also said that it has geared up to the cyclone, Railway Protection Force (RPF) and MSSF arrangements for crowd control at all stations.

The cyclone is currently less than 420-km southwest of Mumbai in the Arabian Sea and moving northwards.

High and low tide timings in Mumbai

Weather update from Skymet

Skymet predicts rain, thundershower, squally winds and rough sea conditions over Ahmedabad, Amreli, Aravali, Bhavnagar, Devbhumi, Dwarka, Gandhinagar Jamnagar, Kheda, Mahesana, Narmada, Navsari, Porbandar, Rajkot, Sabar, Kantha, Surat, Surendranagar, Tapi, Vadodara and Valsad in the next 48 hours. 

Take a look at the updated track of Cyclone Ockhi in seconds

Weather update for Maharashtra

Weather forecasting bureau Skymet on Tuesday predicts moderate rain and thundershower with strong winds in Maharashtra. Rough sea over Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman, Ahmednagar, Dhule, Jalgaon, Mumbai, Nandurbar, Nashik, Pune, Raigarh, Ratnagiri, Satara, Thane, Harnai and Kolhapur in the next 36- 48 hours. 

Traffic slows down as rains batter city

The traffic on Eastern and Western Express Highways in Mumbai has slowed down after rain in some parts of Mumbai since Monday night. There are traffic curbs in some places in view of the rush of followers of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar on his death anniversary on Wednesday.

Intermittent rains in Mumbai for next 24 hours

Mumbaikars woke up to an overcast sky on Tuesday as Cyclone Ockhi passed by Maharashtra. Areas near the metropolis witnessed a spell of hailstorm, while schools and colleges in the city and adjoining districts have been closed today as a precautionary measure.

Some parts of the Munbai-Pune Expressway experienced a hailstorm early today, police said. The weather department has forecast intermittent rains in Mumbai and suburbs in the next 24 hours.

Hailstorm reported near Mumbai-Pune expressway

As Mumbai braces for Cyclone Ockhi, areas near the metropolis witnessed a spell of hailstorm early on Tuesday. 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 on Wednesday.

Suburban railway and flights largely unaffected in Mumbai

INSAT satellite images of Cyclone Ockhi

BJP president Amit Shah's public rallies in Rajula, Mahuva and Shihor in Gujarat cancelled due to Cyclone Ockhi

Visuals of relief operations to Cyclone Ockhi affected Lakshadweep & Minicoy Islands

Heavy rains falling in Mumbai

Mumbai breaks December rain record

Cyclone Ockhi moves northwards

Images from Andheri locality in Mumbai

NDRF teams deployed in Gujarat

Western Railways gears up for cyclone Ockhi

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The Western Railway (WR) said it has taken necessary precautions and made suitable arrangements in view of the warning about cyclone Ockhi in coastal areas of Maharashtra, according to PTI. The WR's engineering control has been kept on alert to keep a watch on water level over railway tracks, it said in a release.

Similarly, RPF and commercial control staff has been asked to monitor crowd movements and undertake necessary evacuation at stations in case of a disaster-like situation, the release said.

Patrolling of the tracks has been intensified over various rail sections. The Disaster Management Cell of WR is geared up to deal with any emergency, it added. According to the release, all emergency numbers have been updated.

Rains start in Mumbai

Path being taken by Cyclone Ockhi

NASA tweets images of Cyclone Ockhi

1,540 people hit by cyclone Ockhi rescued so far, says government

As many as 1,540 people, including fishermen, affected by Cyclone Ockhi in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Lakshadweep were rescued by various agencies, the government said on Monday, according to PTI.

A total of 243 fishermen in Tamil Nadu, 250 fishermen in Kerala and 1,047 people in Lakshadweep have been rescued so far, an official statement said after a meeting of the National Crisis Management Committee, headed by Cabinet Secretary PK Sinha.

Updates for 5 December start here

Nirmala Sitharaman listening to people's grievances at Suchindram

INS Shardul drops relief materials on Kerala coast

Lakshadweep MP says island suffered a loss of Rs 500 crore, seeks Centre's assistance

Lakshadweep Island, which was hit by Cyclone Ochki, has suffered a loss of over Rs 500 crore, Lakshadweep MP Mohammad Faizal said on Sunday.Faizal sought the Centre's assistance to restore normal life in the islands isolated by the storm. He said normal life in three islands – Minicoy, Kalpeni and Kavaratti – was badly hit by the cyclone.

With the help of the Centre, flights and ships are now being used in the rescue operations, says CM E Palaniswamy

Nirmala Sitharaman attends meeting with senior ministers, officers of Navy, coastguard and district officials

Defence minister meets deputy chief minister O Panneerselvam

Nirmala Sitharaman discusses rescue operations with navy officials

Nirmala Sitharaman discusses rescue operations with navy personnel

Cyclone Ockhi likely to lash Saurashtra coast in the next 48 hours​

Cyclone Ockhi likely to lash Saurashtra coast in the next 48 hours and subsequently weaken. All fishermen are warned to not venture out and those already out to be contacted immediately to return, says Collector of Gir Somnath district. 

Meanwhile, 23 vessels registered at Tamil Nadu took shelter at Miryabandar in Maharashtra to avoid the cyclone

Nirmala Sitharaman heads to Koodankulam

25 people rescued from Lakshadweep and 13 people picked off Kerala coast

Cyclone Ockhi to move towards Gujarat, says Skymetweather

Minister Thoomeani says 100% electricity will be provided in Kanyakumari district within a day or two

Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman on her way to visit cyclone-hit Kanyakumari

5,759 boats are safe, 205 boats are in other states and 97 fishermen we are searching for, says O Panneerselvam

19 fishermen rescued by Indian Coast Guard brought to Chellanam harbour

Deputy chief minister O Panneerselvam says relief will be given after seeing the Collector's report

DMDK leader Vijaykanth slams the Tamil Nadu government, calls for action on the wars to fix the storm impacts 

71 Tamil Nadu fishermen, 248 Kerala fishermen and 38 fishermen from Lakshadweep rescued

71 Tamil Nadu fishermen, 248 Kerala fishermen and 38 fishermen from Lakshadweep have been rescued, defence ministry said 

Tamil Nadu BJP leader asks state government to take account of missing fishermen in Kanyakumari 

28 boats with 321 rescued fishermen reach Ratnagiri in wake of cyclone Ockhi 

Updated fact sheet of vessels deployed, people rescued; 357 fishermen saved till 10 am on Sunday

Tamil Nadu: 71

Kerala: 248

Lakshadweep: 38

Cyclone Ockhi will not be termed as a national disaster: KJ Alphons

Cyclone Ockhi, which has caused widespread damage in Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam districts, will not be termed a national disaster, Minister of State for Tourism KJ Alphons said on Sunday.

On Saturday, the Kerala government decided to approach the Centre for declaring Ockhi a national disaster.

"There is no provision to declare this as a national calamity. The Centre will provide funds. If needed, more funds will be allocated," Alphons said in Thiruvananthapuram.

Alphons held a meeting with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and other cabinet colleagues earlier in the day to discuss the rescue and rehabilitation operations.

-IANS

Houses damaged as waves hit coastal areas of Ullal in Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka

Three houses were damaged while the compound wall of a private resort collapsed as surging waves lashed the coast of Ullal near Mangaluru in the last two days.

Seen as an after-effect of cyclone Ockhi, damage to the property by huge waves has occurred in most of the coastal areas, official sources said. Two houses near the seashore at Ullal were completely destroyed by the waves while another one was partially damaged.

The houses belonging to Philomena Fernandes and Everest Alphonse were consumed by the waves which advanced into the shore.

The compound wall of a private resort was washed away by the waves and a party arranged at the resort had to be cancelled.

-PTI

O Panneerselvam visits Kanyakumari district to assess impact of heavy rains

Kerala to not receive heavy rains as Cyclone Ockhi has moved away: Skymet meteorologist Mahesh Palawat

Nirmala Sitharaman to reach Kanyakumari at 4.50 pm to visit rain-affected areas 

As of Sunday morning, 89 boats with 1,154 fishermen taken shelter in various ports: Nirmala Sitharaman

Central agencies warned Kerala of the cyclone in time: Union minister KJ Alphons

Chennai, Puducherry likely to receive heavy rainfall in next 24 hours, according to Chennai Meteorological Center

Death toll rises to 16 due to Cyclone Ockhi

TTV Dhinakaran announces he will go to Kanyakumari to meet people affected by storm

Nirmala Sitharaman to visit Thiruvananthapuram, Kanyakumari today

Kerala minister engaged in rescue and rehabilitation operations, but locals aren't satisfied

State tourism minister K Surendran and fisheries minister J Mercykutty Amma have been engaged in rescue and rehabilitation operations since 30 November and coordinating with the navy, air force and coast guard officials.

However, anger was mounting in coastal villages as they were unhappy with the authorities failing to take precautions before the cyclone hit the state.

"The authorities have failed miserably and the relief camps are also poorly managed with even the basic facilities not available. We have been demanding opening of a control room in our area but nothing has happened," said a Poonthura resident.

The fishermen have blocked traffic on Sunday in agitation.

With inputs from IANS

Kerala fishermen launch their own rescue operations, say 'authorities failed miserably'

The fishermen community on Sunday decided to launch their own rescue operations as 55 boats ventured into the sea to search for the 115 missing fishermen.

Rescue teams decided to step up their operations after a body in a highly decomposed state was recovered near the Vizhinjam coast.

The boats, 40 from Poonthura and 15 from Vizhinjam, left the shores with food and water.

In Kerala, squally wind speeds of up to 65 km per hour expected

The IMD added:

Squally wind speed reaching 45-55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph very likely along and off Kerala coast during next 24 hours and along & off Karnataka coast during next 48 hours.

Never experienced such violent storms earlier, say rescued fishermen

IMD warns heavy to very heavy rainfall in Kerala, Lakshadweep

"Heavy (7-11cm in 24 hrs) is most likely to occur at one or two places in Kerala and heavy (7-11cm in 24 hrs) to very heavy rainfall (12-20cm in 24 hrs) is most likely to occur at one or two places in Lakshadweep till morning of 3rd December 2017," read the IMD release.

Tourism hit in Kerala due to cyclone

Cyclone Ockhi currently positioned at Latitude 11.7º N and Longitude 69.2º E, says NDMA

Fishermen in Gujarat, north Maharashtra advised not to venture into sea on 4 December

Electricity restoration work taking place in Kanyakumari district 

Lakshadweep MP claims Indian Navy, Coast Guard failed to respond promptly

Lok Sabha MP PP Mohammed Faizal on Saturday alleged that the Indian Navy and the Coast Guard failed to respond promptly in tackling the crisis due to cyclone Ockhi, which left a trail of destruction in the Lakshadweep islands.

The Lakshadweep MP said he would write to defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman in this regard. "We have not got adequate help from the Navy and the Coast Guard. They failed to respond promptly in the adverse situation," Faizal told PTI. He also said that he had spoken to home minister Rajnath Singh, who assured him that a team of officials would be sent to the island.

A defence spokesman, however, refused to comment on the allegations.

-PTI

WATCH: Stranded fishing vessel rescued by INS Sharda

Over 900 Kerala fishermen reach Maharashtra coast safely, says Devendra Fadanvis

Fishermen from near Kerala, who were caught in rough seas due to Cyclone Ockhi, have reached Maharashtra's Sindhudurg coast and are safe, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said in Mumbai on Saturday evening.

"In all 68 fishing boats, out of which 66 are from Kerala and two from Tamil Nadu, have reached with total 952 fishermen on board. All are safe," the Maharashtra chief minister said in a tweet.

"Maharashtra will completely look after everyone till weather permits them to go back," he said.

Cyclone Ockhi's devastating effect could have been reduced if state disaster officials acted promptly

Experts firmly believe that the intensity of the devastation could have been reduced to a great extent, if not totally averted, had the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) risen to the occasion. Information available from different sources shows that the agency failed utterly on all fronts.

The biggest lapse on the part of the SDMA was its failure to disseminate the repeated warnings they received from the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) and other agencies about the deep depression in the Arabian Sea to the people.

Trivandrum IMD Director S Sudevan said that his department had passed on three alerts about the deep depression in the sea near the state since 29 November morning. But the authorities started acting only after receiving the third alert at 12 noon on 30 November. But by the time, the depression had developed into a cyclone and started wreaking havoc.

State-wise fact sheet of number of vessels deployed for rescue operations, lives saved

Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan asks Centre to declare Ockhi as natural calamity

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan entrusted chief secretary KM Abraham with the task of preparing a memorandum in this regard, chief minister office (CMO) sources said.

Death toll rises to 26 in India, Sri Lanka

Thousands took to relief camps in Sri Lanka and southern India on Saturday to escape rising floodwaters after a cyclone killed at least 26 people. 

Cyclone Ockhi has left 13 people dead in Sri Lanka and killed an equal number in India's Kerala and Tamil Nadu states since Friday as it churns in the Arabian Sea.

Eleven people, mostly fishermen, remained missing in the two countries as nearly 9,000 people sought shelter in relief camps. 

-AFP

531 fishermen rescued off Kerala coast

More than 500 fishermen stranded in the rough sea off Kerala and Lakshadweep coasts have been rescued even as cyclone 'Ockhi' on Saturday lay centered over the South East Arabian Sea and about 250 kilometres near Amini Divi in the Lakshadweep Islands.

The death toll in rain-related incidents in Kerala rose to nine with the recovery of two more bodies, officials said.

K Palaniswamy urges Centre to involve navy, coast guard in search operations of missing fishermen

Tamil Nadu chief minister K Palaniswamy on Saturday requested Union home minister Rajnath Singh to involve the Indian Navy and Coast Guard helicopters for search and rescue of fishermen caught in mid sea in the wake of Cyclone Ockhi.

Palaniswamy had requested deployment of helicopters in the search and rescue operations of fishermen who have not returned after they ventured into the sea a couple of days back.

531 fishermen rescued off Kerala, Lakshadweep; Pinarayi Vijayan announces Rs 10 lakh for kin of deceased

As many as 531 fishermen, stranded in the choppy waters off the Kerala and the Lakshadweep coasts due to Cyclone Ockhi, have been rescued, Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan said on Saturday.

So far, 393 people from Kerala have been rescued, Vijayan said, as the state government announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to the family of those who died in the storm.

Besides, 138 fishermen have been rescued from the Lakshadweep islands, he said.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswamy to grant Rs 25 crore for relief and restoration efforts in cyclone-hit Kanyakumari district, reports the New Indian Express

Extremely heavy rainfall likely over north Lakshadweep islands in next 24 hours, says NDMA 

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) issued an "extremely heavy rainfalls" (>20 cm) warning for isolated areas in north Lakshadweep Islands during the next 24 hours. It also said heavy to very heavy rainfalls were likely in isolated areas of Kerala and south Lakshadweep islands. 

Kerala CM slams 'fake news' related to rumours of rescue operations by a Japanese ship

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan slammed rumours on Saturday after it came to light that Friday's reports of a Japanese merchant ship rescuing 60 Kerala fishermen caught in the deep seas, was "fake". Vijayan called those spreading the rumours "mad".

It was Thiruvananthapuram district Collector S Vasuki who told the media, on Friday evening, that she wished to thank the Japanese government as one of their ships had rescued 60 fishermen after Cyclone Ockhi struck the Kerala coasts. She said they would arrive at the Vizhinjam coast.

Following which, a huge crowd of anxious fishermen waited in Vizhinjam expecting to welcome their missing relatives. Many ambulances were also asked to be stationed at the port.

Later fresh news came that the Japanese ship since it was on its way to Kochi, it would drop the fishermen there. It was only late in the night that truth surfaced: "It was a fake news".

Thiruvananthapuram's Poonthura locals protest over missing fishermen

Here, relatives cry for a fisherman, who went missing in the rough sea due to a cyclone, in the coastal hamlets of Poonthura in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday. Locals in Poonthura came out in protest alleging rescue operations for the missing fishermen have been inadequate. 

Image courtesy: PTI

After massive rescue operations, six boats, 73 fishermen return; 33 boats, 95 fishermen still missing: Fisheries minister D Jayakumar

More fishermen rescued on Saturday morning, some stuck in Lakshadweep waiting to get back: Nirmala Sitharaman 

Intensity of rain, winds reduced at sea

On Saturday morning, the intensity of the rains and winds in the deep sea was reported to have come down. However, the meteorological office predicts rains are in the offing.

Among those rescued on Friday night, 40 are under medical observation at the Medical College hospital and another 28 at the General Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram.

The Kerala government has already announced free ration to be supplied to the affected fishing villages.

-IANS

Angry relatives of missing fishermen protest in Kerala

Angry fishermen at Poonthura, a coastal hamlet near Thiruvananthapuram, blocked traffic as about a dozen fishermen from their village were yet to be traced.

A special Mass was held at the Poonthura St Thomas Church for the suffering. "There has been no word from my husband Gerald for the past three days. We have got no information from any one at all," said his grieving wife.

The families of the missing have now started to exhibit pictures of their loved ones to the media so as to send message to other parts of the state in case they were sighted.

-IANS

Cyclone Ockhi likely to move towards Gujarat, North Maharashtra

Rs 10 lakh ex-gratia announced for kin of dead: Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan

According to News18, Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan said family of those who dies in rain-related incidents will be given Rs 10 lakh as compensation. He also said that so far 393 people have been rescued across Kerala. 550 families have been evacuated to 30 relief camps in the state.

102 fishermen yet to return home in Kerala

The rescue operations jointly launched by the Indian Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard after Cyclone Ockhi hit the southern districts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, resumed on Saturday with 102 Kerala fishermen yet to return home, a top state official said.

Thiruvananthapuram district Collector S Vasuki told the media that the 102 fishermen from Thiruvananthapuram cannot be termed as "missing". "These fishermen had gone into the sea. They are yet to reach home or they have not been able to contact their relatives here."

"The search operations now are aimed towards the Alappuzha area, as the boats would have run out of fuel. They would be drifting according to the wind direction. Hence the search operations are focusing towards Alappuzha," said Vasuki.

She also added that strict instructions have been given that "none should venture into the sea for fishing".

-IANS

Narendra Modi assures full assistance to K Palaniswamy due to cyclone Ockhi

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Lakshadweep to witness incessant rains, gusty winds at speed of 120-145 kmph to lash islands

IMD warning for fishermen

Following is the official warning statement for fishermen near Kerala and Lakshadweep:

Squally weather with wind-speed reaching 45 to 55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph is very likely along and off  Kerala coasts, gale wind-speed reaching 110-120 kmph gusting to 130 kmph is likely over Lakshadweep area till 2 pm 2 December. Fishermen are advised not to venture in to the sea.

IMD statement from Thiruvananthapuram for Kerala and Lakshadweep

Rainfall recorded in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Lakshadweep in last 24 hours

Minicoy (136 mm), Karaikal (118 mm), Puducherry (109 mm), Cuddalore (108 mm), Nagapattinam (74 mm), Thiruvananthapuram (47 mm), Madurai (26 mm), Kozhikode (22 mm), Kanyakumari (12 mm), Amini Devi (8 mm), Kochi (0.6 mm) and Chennai (0.4 mm).  

Kanyakumari in knee-deep water with no power

Navy conducting rescue, rehabilitation in Lakshadweep; evacuation ordered in low lying areas

Top Navy officials said they deployed two ships to the Lakshadweep Islands for carrying out rescue and rehabilitation operations in the island.

Vice Admiral AR Karve, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command, said the Indian Navy is putting in "maximum effort" to rescue fishermen from the sea which is very rough under the influence of Ockhi.

In Lakshadweep, orders have been issued to evacuate people from low-lying areas in Kalpeni, Minicoy, Kavratti, Agatti, Androth, Kadamath and Amini islands, officials said.

Five boats anchored at a jetty in Kalpeni were damaged in heavy rains, coupled with strong winds.

Lakshadweep MP PP Mohammed Faizal said Kalpeni and Minicoy islands were badly hit by the cyclone but no casualties have been reported.

Faizal said seven persons were rescued from a sinking Uru, a large Dhow-type wooden ship, in the sea off Kavaratti.

-PTI

Sri Lanka Red Cross issues warning

The Sri Lankan Red Cross on Saturday said that showers or thundershowers are expected in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central provinces and in Galle, Puttalam and Matara districts.

105 fishermen drifting in eight boats rescued; eye of the storm close to Kavaratti

Fisherman named Johnson rescued off 32 nautical miles off Vizhinjam coast in Kerala

Cyclone Ockhi intensifies over Lakshadweep

Heavy rains lash South Tamil Nadu, Kerala; toll mounts to 12

Over 1,200 hit by cyclone in 2 districts lodged in relief camps

The Tamil Nadu government on Friday 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 inChennai, 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.

As per the orders of the chief minister, 1,044 persons in Kanniyakumari have been lodged in 16 relief camps while the number was 205 in two camps in Tirunelveli, an official release said.

To expedite relief works in 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," it said.

PTI

Two passenger trains from Nagercoil to Thiruvananthapuram cancelled

Navy saves 16 people in rescue operation, 40 expected to be stranded at sea

Rains batter Kanyakumari, other Tamil Nadu districts

Heavy rains battered southern districts of Tamil Nadu and state capital Chennai on Thursday night and early Friday morning, forcing the authorities to order the closure of schools and colleges.

Life in Kanyakumari was thrown out of gear due to heavy rain and strong winds. Over 1,000 affected people have been put up in camps, as per reports.

Nine persons have died in Tamil Nadu due to rains following the Ockhi cyclone in the last couple of days. Chief Minister E Palaniswami has declared ex-gratia to the bereaved families.

IANS

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WATCH: Water logging in Sthanumalayan Temple in Kanyakumari's Suchindram

Cyclone Ockhi will start weakening from 3 Dec: Skymet

This seems to be going to Gujarat, says Twitterati

Expect light rain in Saurashtra: Skymet

Rainfall will be intermittent in Tamil Nadu but heavy to very heavy showers is expected in Lakshadweep. Skymet predicted that there will be light rains in Saurashtra and Kutch region of Gujarat as well. 

Water logging after heavy rain in Thiruvananthapuram, reports ANI

Ockhi may lead to cloudy weather with light rain along Maharashtra coast, Mumbai

Cyclone Ockhi can lead to cloudy weather coupled with light rain for some parts along Maharashtra coast and Mumbai next week, reports have said. Indian Met Department issued warning to all ports. 

Dos and Donts for Cyclone Ockhi

Insat Satellite image of cloud cover over south India

Image Courtesy: SkymetWeather.com

Eight fishermen floating at sea rescued by Indian Navy off Thiruvananthapuram coast

Rajnath Singh speaks to NDRF, monitoring situation closely

Union home minister Rajnath Singh spoke to DG NDRF and reviewed the areas affected by Cyclone Ockhi. According to ANI, NDRF teams have been moved to the affected areas with several more on standby in case of further emergencies. 

Families of missing fishermen mourn in Kerala

On Friday, relatives of the missing fishermen in Thiruvananthapuram lamented that they did not receive any cyclonic warnings from the administration. 

Three fishermen rescued off Kerala coast, efforts on to rescue five more off Quilon coast

According to the Indian Coast Guard, three fishermen were rescued off Vizhinjam coast in Kerala on Friday morning. Rescue operations are going on to save five more fishermen sighted near Quilon coast in the state. 

Rainfall level across Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Lakshdweep; highest recorded in Minicoy, Kodaikanal, Coonoor

Death toll rises to nine in Tamil Nadu and Kerala

250 families rescued being rescued Suchindram in Kanyakumari: Tamil Nadu State Disaster Management Agency  

Six warships, two coast guard ship deployed: defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman

On Thursday, Nirmala Sitharaman tweeted that a total of six warships, and two coast guard vessels from the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard have been deployed along with additional air effort on Friday.

Heavy rains in Kerala

Punalur: 92 mm

Thiruvananthapuram: 79 mm

Minicoy (Lakshadweep): 191 mm

Five dead in Kanyakumari district due to rains

CNN-News18 reported that five people died in Kanyakumari district alone due to the heavy rains. The NDRF said it has one team already positioned in Trichur or regional district in Kerala. "As soon as we get a call from the state government they will be dispatched for work," said a NDRF official. 

Two NDRF teams sent to Kanyakumari, Nagercoil districts

The National Disaster Rescue Force (NDRF) said it has dispatched two teams to Kanyakumari and Nagercoil. "As per the state government's request, we will carry rescue operations. We will be involved in rescuing fisherman, inland area flooding, checking on building collapse and uprooted trees, and clearing the roads," the NDRF told CNN-News18. 

Rains over Tamil Nadu in past 24 hours

Coonoor: 129 mm 

Kodaikanal: 131 mm

Madurai: 46 mm

Atiramapattinam: 49 mm

Vellore: 53 mm

Dam levels rise in Tamil Nadu

Cyclone moving away from Kerala towards Lakshadweep

Heavy showers will continue for next 12 hours as it moves towards Lakshadweep over the next 48 hours, the Skymet chief Mahesh Palawat told CNN-News18.

Trains cancelled in Tamil Nadu, Kerala

Schools shut in Tamil Nadu today

Schools in Chennai, Kanchipuram, Villupuram, Kanyakumari, Nellai, Theni, Dindigul, Madurai and Thoothukudi will remain closed on Friday due to the cyclonic storm Ockhi, according to Skymet Weather. 

Eight dead, 90 fishermen missing

Cyclone Ockhi to become 'severe storm'