Cyclone Warning for Lakshadweep Islands

Aashish

Aashish

PARIKRAMA
Staff member
Administrator
Nov 30, 2017
389
1,832
India
1512160281937.png


The very severe cyclonic storm ‘OCKHI’ over Lakshadweep area and adjoining Southeast Arabian Sea moved west-northwestwards with a speed of 10 kmph during past 06 hours and lay centred at 2030 hrs IST of today, the 01st December, 2017 over Lakshadweep area and adjoining southeast Arabian Sea near Latitude 9.3º N and Longitude 72.5º E, about 130 km north-northwest of Minicoy and 200 km south of Amini Divi. The system is very likely to intensify further during next 24 hours. It is very likely to continue to move west-northwestwards across Lakshadweep Islands during next 24 hours and then recurve northeastwards during the subsequent 48 hours. Warning: Heavy Rainfall warning: Rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places and isolated extremely heavy falls (>20 cm) very likely over Lakshadweep area during next 24 hours and isolated heavy to very heavy falls during subsequent 24 hours. Rainfall at many places with heavy rainfall at isolated places very likely over Kerala during next 24 hours.
  • Wind warning:
Gale winds speed reaching 120-130 kmph gusting to 145 kmph very likely over & around Lakshadweep Islands during next 24 hours and gradual decrease thereafter. Squally wind speed reaching 45-55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph very likely along & off Kerala during next 24 hours and along & off Karnataka coast during next 24 hours. Sea condition: Sea conditions would be phenomenal over and around Lakshadweep Islands during next 24 hours and very high during subsequent 24 hours. Sea conditions would be high to very high along & off Kerala coast during next 24 hours and along & off Karnataka coast during subsequent 24 hours. Damage Expected over Lakshadweep Islands: Damage to power and communication lines due to breaking of tree branches and uprooting of large avenue trees. Major damage to thatched houses/huts: Major damage to kutcha houses, some damage to pucca roads and flooding of escape routes. Damage to banana & Papaya trees and standing crops. Storm surge: Storm surge of about 1 meter above astronomical tides very likely to inundate low lying areas of Lakshadweep Islands. Action suggested Lakshadweep Islands: Fishermen along & off Lakshadweep Islands are advised not to venture into the sea during next 48 hours. Kerala & Karnataka coast: Fishermen are advised not to venture into the sea along & off Kerala & Karnataka coast during next 48 hrs. The next bulletin will be issued at 0230 hrs IST of 02nd December 2017.

Cyclone Warning for Lakshadweep Islands
 
Cyclone Ockhi highlights: Death toll rises to 12 as heavy rains lash Kerala, Tamil Nadu

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. 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.
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.
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.
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 highlights: Death toll rises to 12 as heavy rains lash Kerala, Tamil Nadu
 
Maharashtra, Gujarat On Alert As Cyclone Ockhi Heads For Coast: 10 Points


  1. Alert has been issued for fishermen in Maharashtra and Gujarat. The condition of the sea along north Maharashtra and South Gujarat coasts will be very rough on the Monday and Tuesday, the met office has said.
  2. Over the next 24 hours, moderate rain is expected at a few places in Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry.
  3. The cyclone has claimed 13 lives and 115 people are still missing. Around a thousand people have been stranded in rescue centres.
  4. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said 395 fishermen have been saved in a biggest-ever joint rescue operation by the Coast Guard, Air Force, and the Navy. The total number of rescued fishermen so far is 475.
  5. In Tamil Nadu's Kanyakumari, families of fishermen hit the streets in protest, demanding that searches be intensified for those who are still missing. Till Sunday afternoon, 101 fishermen remained missing in Tamil Nadu.
  6. Dr K Satyagopal, Relief said, 150 fishermen from Tamil Nadu and Kerala have been sighted in Lakshadeep. We are awaiting names and other details so we could reconcile".
  7. In Nagercoil, the locals held protests, alleging that the officials had made no arrangements for basic needs like drinking water, milk for children and power supply.
  8. The cyclone, 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 today. Mr Vijayan has appealed to the central government to declare cyclone Ockhi as a 'national calamity'.
  9. Water logging and power cuts brought the cyclone-hit areas of Kerala to a standstill. It has caused damage to property and blocked highways across several districts, affecting transport and communication services.
  10. Originating near Sri Lanka over the Bay of Bengal, on Cyclone Ockhi moved over the Arabian Sea via Comorin, triggering heavy rains and high speed wind. The storm has been named by Bangladesh after the Bengali word for "eye".

Maharashtra, Gujarat On Alert As Cyclone Ockhi Heads For Coast: 10 Points
 
  • Agree
Reactions: Aashish
Cyclone Ockhi Live Updates: Death toll in rain-related incidents in Kerala rise to 19, over 600 fishermen rescued
Cyclone Ockhi Live Updates: Cyclone Ockhi, the first tropical storm of the season, over the districts in South Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Lakshadweep has claimed as many as 16 lives, as per various media reports. It has also dismantled the daily life completely. The navy and the coast guards have launched full-fledged rescue operations saving more than 220 lives so far. Prime Minister Narendra Modi dialled Tamil Nadu chief minister K Palaniswami late Friday night and inquired about the damage caused by Cyclone Ockhi, which also battered parts of Kerala. PM Modi also assured “immediate assistance” to the CM. The leader of the opposition in the Kerala Assembly Ramesh Chennithala urges Prime Minister Narendra Modi to declare cyclone Ockhi as a national disaster. Heavy rains are possible to continue for another 24 hours over Lakshadweep Islands, as per Skymet. The cyclone is expected to start weakening only by December 4, according to IMD. The Indian Navy and the Coast Guard continued the search for missing fishermen using ships, dornier aircraft and helicopters in the “rough sea” off Kerala and Lakshadweep in the wake of Cyclone Ockhi. While INS Nireekshak, INS Jamuna and INS Sagardhwani are continuing search and rescue operations in their designated areas along the coast off Vizhinjam in Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam, two ships INS Shardul and INS Sharda are heading towards Lakshadweep.
Here are the live updates:
10:52 PM: Total relief material would sustain approx 5000 persons for period of 7 days. Additionally all naval units in vicinity of L&M directed to provide fresh water in consultation with local admn. Additional units will also be deployed to augment water supply according to Commander Sridhar Warrier PRO (Defence), Kochi.
10:50 PM: In addition, 8 aircraft including long range maritime reconnaissance aircraft P8I deployed throughout the day on 3rd December. Total 55 persons were rescued today taking total rescued to 145. Weather conditions still adverse at Lakshadweep & Minicoy Island.
10:47 PM: Indian Navy’s rescue ops ongoing over the southeast Arabian Sea & Lakshadweep & Minicoy islands in aftermath of cyclone Ockhi. 10 naval ships including capital ships like Chennai & Kolkata deployed over southeast Arabian sea & L&M Islands says Commander Sridhar Warrier PRO (Defence), Kochi.
10:20 PM: Unfortunate that still some fishermen from Kerala & south Tamil Nadu are missing & didn’t return home. Rescue ops are in full swing by coast guard & Indian Navy. I’m sure with their efforts missing fishermen will be saved & brought back home very soon, he added.
10:14 PM: Cyclone Ockhi moved along Kerala and south Tamil Nadu coast and largely affected Lakshadweep. Now it has moved away from Lakshadweep & is about 1000 km southwest of Surat. The system is likely to move in northeasterly direction & gradually weaken: Union Minister Harsh Vardhan
10:10 PM: Eleven of the dead are from the coastal areas of Thiruvananthapuram.
9:49 PM: The very severe cyclonic storm ‘Ockhi’ lay centred today over east central and south east central Arabian Sea, they said. The death toll in rain-related incidents in Kerala climbed to 19, with six more bodies being recovered.
9:33 PM: Death toll in rain-related incidents in Kerala rise to 19, over 600 fishermen, stranded at sea off state’s coast rescued.
9:27 PM: Strong winds likely along, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry coasts, say MeT officials.
9:10 PM: “The sudden rise in the water created a fearful situation amongst the tourists specially the foreign guests who went back to the hotel and did not return. This has affected tourism on a promising weekend when we were expecting heavy footfalls,” said Manuel Cardoso, general secretary, Goa Traditional Shack Owners’ Association.
8:41 PM: Hotel owners also said that the water rushed into the beach shacks washing away beds put up on the shoreline. The beaches like Morjim in North Goa and Mobor in South Goa were among the worst hit due to the water surge, they added.
8:20 PM: High tides early morning reportedly due to the Ockhi cyclone that has hit Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Lakshadweep inundated several beach stretches in Goa, owners of hotels said.
8:05 PM: The cyclone may cause unusual rains in Mumbai, nearby areas, reports say.
7:46 PM: Rescue operation underway in Trivandrum. A total of 197 people have been rescued and 11 deaths have been reported so far in the city.
7: 20 PM: Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman interacted with the locals of Kanyakumari and listened to their problems.
7: 02 PM: Cyclone Ockhi: Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman listens to grievances of people at Suchindram.
6: 45 PM: Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman reviewed the current situation along with Deputy CM O Panneerselvam.
6: 30 PM: Indian Coast Guard, on Patrol, at sea off Andaman & Nicobar Island rescued an endangered turtle.
6: 05 PM: With the help of the Centre, flights and ships are now being used in the rescue operations, says Tamil Nadu CM E Palaniswamy
5: 42 PM: Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman arrives in Kanyakumari.
5: 35 PM: 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 Gir Somnath district.
5: 28 PM: Cyclone Ockhi: Nirmala Sitharaman heads to Koodankulam
5: 20 PM: Skymet Weather predicts the persistence of Cyclone Ockhi, says the cyclone is likely to move towards Gujarat.
5: 10 PM: Team of Indian Navy makes preparation in Kochi to fly to Lakshadweep for rescue operation. So far 25 people have been rescued from Lakshadweep.
5: 02 PM: 23 fishing vessels registered at TamilNadu took shelter at Miryabandar, Maharashtra to avoid CycloneOckhi. IndiaCoastGuard personnel reached out to those fishermen for assistance.
4: 50 PM: In Lakshadweep, there have been a lot of losses, houses have lost their roofs, trees have fallen and boats capsized, Navy is conducting a massive search in the area says Commodore G Prakash, Commanding Officer of INS Venduruthy as per a tweet by ANI.
4: 45 PM: We have rescued 25 people from Lakshadweep and picked 13 people off Kerala coast. Navy is continuing conducting a massive search for 8-10 ships off Kerala coast: Commodore G Prakash, Commanding Officer of INS Venduruthy in Kochi reports ANI.
4: 25 PM: Locals protest against ministers at Vizhinjam in Kerala alleging inefficient rescue efforts.
4: 12 PM: The Indian Navy, Coast Guard and Air Force are doing an update on the search and rescue operations.
4: 10 PM: Skymet Weather predicts Kerala rains to reduce further, says only light showers with isolated moderate spells are anticipated.
3: 55 PM: Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman is on her way to visit cyclone-hit Kanyakumari to review the ongoing search and rescue operation.
On board with RM
RM visiting Kanyakumari to supervise the disaster relief operations#OckhiCyclone pic.twitter.com/LqxIjYkx8C
— മല്ലി (@__Malli) December 3, 2017​
3: 40 PM: Cyclone Ockhi: As many as 19 fishermen rescued by Indian Coast Guard were brought to Chellanam harbour in Kerala, as per a tweet by ANI.
3: 05 PM: MoS for Tourism Alphons Kannanthanam holds a discussion with CM of Kerala Pinarayi Vijayan and officials on relief operations related to #CycloneOckhi, reports Doordarshan news.
2: 45 PM: “There is no provision to declare this as a national calamity. The Centre will provide funds. If needed, more funds will be allocated,” said Minister of State for Tourism KJ Alphons. Alphons held a meeting with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and other cabinet colleagues earlier in the day to discuss the rescue and rehabilitation operations, as per a report by IANS.
2:01 PM: O Panneerselvam visits Kanyakumari district to assess the impact of heavy rains.
1: 45 PM: Indian Coast Guards save five fishermen from a fishing vessel “Joyal”.
1: 14 PM: Moderate rain is expected at a few places in Tamil Nadu & Pondicherry during next 24 hours. Fishermen are asked not to venture into deep sea of north Tamil Nadu & South Andhra coast till December 25th: S Balachandran, MET department.
12: 55 PM: MP Richard Hay visits the India Coast Guard Station headquarters in Vizhinjam (Kerala).
12: 45 PM: State minister Jayakumar said the task of recovering fishermen is still going on. “2,124 fishermen are safe in Lakshadweep, Maharashtra, Kerala and Karnataka. We are still looking for 97 fishermen,” he said, as per Thanthi TV.
12: 32 PM: Indian coast guard rescues 19 fishermen, NDMA issues alert for fishermen.
12: 10 PM: Indian Navy and Coastguards rescue fishermen from a capsized boat.
12: 00 PM: Four fishermen rescued and brought to safety, off Trivandrum coast by #IAF ALH aircraft. This was the second Search and Rescue mission of the day. Watch video:
11: 18 AM: Cyclone Ockhi: Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman heads to Kanyakumari to oversee search and rescue operations, as per News 18. She will go to Kerala tomorrow.
11: 12 AM: Sea conditions would be ‘rough’ to ‘very rough’ along and off north Maharashtra and South Gujarat coasts on December 4 and 5.
11: 05 AM: A stranded fishing vessel was taken under tow and rescued by INS Sharda as per the spokesperson of The Indian Navy, Watch Video:
11: 00 AM: Rainfall at many places with heavy rainfall at isolated places is very likely over south Gujarat on December 5. Fishermen around Lakshadweep Islands are advised not to venture into the sea during next 24 hours.
10: 55 AM: The Very Severe #CycloneOckhi will continue its track north northwestwards during the next 12 hours and afterwards recurve northeastwards amid the subsequent 48 hours and weaken gradually, Skymet Weather reports.
10: 50 AM: Here is the latest alert issued for Lakshadweep Islands by India Meteorological Department: “The very severe cyclonic storm ‘OCKHI’ over Southeast Arabian Sea further moved north- northwestwards with a speed of 14 kmph during past 06 hours and lay centred at 0530 hrs IST of 03 rd December, 2017 over southeast and adjoining east-central Arabian Sea near Latitude 11.7º N and Longitude 69.2º E, about 390 km west-northwest of Amini Divi, 910 km south-southwest of Mumbai and 1120 km south-southwest of Surat. It is very likely to move north-northwestwards during next 12 hours and then recurve northeastwards during the subsequent 48 hours and weaken gradually.”
10: 40 AM: Indian Coast Guard rescues stranded fishermen off Kerala coast, Watch Video:

10: 25 AM: People protested in Nagercoil demanding water for their basic needs . Power supply was not restored for the fourth consecutive day.
10: 20 AM: As of today, 05:30 hours IST, the Very Severe #CycloneOckhi is over Southeast Arabian Sea near Latitude 11.1°N and Longitude 69.7°E, about 390 Km west-southwest of Amini Divi, 910 km south-southwest of #Mumbai and 1120 km south-southwest of #Surat reports Skymet Weather
Cyclone Ockhi Live Updates: Death toll in rain-related incidents in Kerala rise to 19, over 600 fishermen rescued
 
  • Informative
Reactions: Aashish
Cyclone Ochki Wreaks Havoc In Kerala, 13 Dead, Over 1000 Missing; Navy Rescue Operations On


Cyclone Ockhi's impact continues in Kerala and so far it has claimed 13 lives in the state including seven lives on Saturday. In all, 450 fishermen have been rescued by the various agencies including Indian Navy and Coastguard, yet 117 fishermen were feared missing till Saturday evening and rescue efforts were on. According to the latest tweet by Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, he said that a total of 952 fishermen from near Kerala who were caught in the rough seas have safely reached Maharashtra's Sindhudurg coast.
Fadnavis said that "68 fishing boats have reached Maharashtra, out of which 66 are from Kerala and two from Tamil Nadu, with total 952 fishermen on board. All are safe".


Kerala government announced Rs 10 lakh compensation to the immediate relatives of the fishermen who lost their lives to the Ockhi cyclone while fishing in the sea.
Kerala Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the rescue and relief activities following the Ockhi cyclonic storm which wreaks havoc in the southern parts of the state was progressing in full swing.


Almost 400 people have been rescued from the seas. The Rs 10 lakh assistance is in addition to the routine compensation given by the fisheries department. Those who sustained injuries in the havoc would be given Rs 15,000 financial assistance. This is also in addition to the Rs 5000 routine compensation being given by the fisheries department during such eventualities," the chief minister told reporters on Saturday.

Cyclone Ochki Wreaks Havoc In Kerala, 13 Dead, Over 1000 Missing; Navy Rescue Operations On
 
Cyclone Ockhi expected to make landfall in next 24 hours; Gujarat, Maharashtra on high alert

After crossing Lakshadweep on Sunday, cyclone Ockhi has set its course north and is expected to make landfall in Maharashtra and south Gujarat in the next 24 hours.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an alert Monday, warning fishermen against venturing into the sea as coastal areas are likely to experience strong winds.
A cyclonic bulletin issued by IMD stated: “The very severe cyclonic storm Ockhi that lay centered over Eastcentral and adjoining Southwest Arabian Sea, about 420 km West North West of Amini Divi, 880 km South-Southwest of Mumbai and 1090 km South-Southwest of Surat is very likely to move North-Northwestward during few hours and then recurve North Eastwards during the subsequent 48 hours and weaken gradually.”
Pankaj Kumar, principal secretary (revenue department), said cyclone Ockhi is likely to cross south Gujarat near Surat by December 5.
The Gujarat government issued instructions to district magistrates, asking them to take adequate precautionary measures. NDRF teams have been put on alert and deployed at critical locations.
Indian Coast Guard Carrying Out Search, Rescue Ops During Cyclone Ockhi

Cyclone Ockhi, however, is likely to weaken after it makes landfall. Maharashtra is also expected to see heavy cloud cover and rainfall in the next two to three days, IMD said.
On Sunday, the Maharashtra Chief Minister’s Office tweeted that 28 more boats carrying 321 fishermen had docked along the shores of Ratnagiri. “23 from Tamil Nadu, 3 from Kerala & 2 from Karnataka. They are now docked at Mirya Bunder, Ratnagiri. All are safe now and officials are looking after them with utmost care,” the CMO tweet said.
The day also saw 200 fishermen from two villages in Kerala head into the sea to rescue 96 fishermen who went missing. The toll rose to 25 after they returned with bodies of their fellow fisherfolk. Angry residents of Vizhinjam prevented Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and his cabinet colleagues from visiting families of the missing fishermen. Vijayan also cancelled his visit to Poonthura, a village from which 30 fishermen are still missing.
Meanwhile, as many as 60 people were rescued by the Navy, Air Force and the Coast Guard.
Union Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman reached Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday evening but moved to Kanyakumari to visit cyclone-affected areas there. “An update on the search and rescue efforts being done by the Indian Navy, Coast Guard and Air Force to save the lives of fishermen affected by #CycloneOckhi: 357 fishermen have been saved as of 10 am today,” she tweeted.
The blame game between Kerala government and the Centre took an unexpected turn on Sunday when Union Minister of State for Tourism Alphons Kannanthanam backed the Kerala government stand that states got the “warning about Ockhi only at 12 noon on November 30”.
“Hence, fishermen could not be given an early warning. Besides, the direction of the wind kept changing. Hence, a clear warning about the cyclone could not be given on time.’’ Hours later he said the central agencies had given necessary alerts on November 28 and 29, reported PTI.
Harsh Vardhan, the minister of Science & Technology, Environment and Forests, said in a statement that IMD “started warnings for heavy rainfall and strong winds for Kerala and South Tamil Nadu from 28th November itself. On 29th afternoon, they issued the first bulletin of the cyclone warning and conveyed to all district officials, state disaster management authority and the Chief Secretary. In the first bulletin, the information was clearly provided on the possibility of further intensification of the system into a cyclonic storm and associated adverse weather. In the bulletin, there was clear message for fishermen not to venture into the sea during next 48 hours.”


Cyclone Ockhi expected to make landfall in next 24 hours; Gujarat, Maharashtra on high alert
 
A cyclone called Ockhi — why this is raising such an unusual storm

So, what is special about Ockhi?
Mostly, the area in which it developed. Cyclones are known to originate in both the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea sides of the northern Indian Ocean; there is much more frequency on the Bay of Bengal side though, especially of the stronger cyclones — in fact, the Bay of Bengal side witnesses four times more cyclones than the Arabian Sea side on average.
But Ockhi originated near the south-western coast of Sri Lanka, and travelled very near the southern-most tip of the Indian mainland, along the coasts of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, towards the Lakshadweep islands, where it was at its most powerful. It weakened considerably after that and continued further, taking a north-easterly turn towards the Maharashtra and Gujarat coastlines —cyclones in this area are not a common phenomenon.

Why does the Bay of Bengal have more cyclones than the Arabian Sea?
Meteorologists say the relatively colder waters of the Arabian Sea are not conducive to the formation and intensification of cyclones. Additionally, the eastern coast of India receives cyclones that form not just in the Bay of Bengal, mostly around the Andaman Sea near the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, but also those travelling from the Pacific Ocean, where the frequency of ‘typhoons’, as these are called there, is quite high. Most of these cyclones weaken considerably after encountering a big landmass. Therefore, these do not travel to the Arabian Sea side. The western coast of India thus witnesses only those cyclones that originate locally or the ones, like Ockhi, that travel from the Indian Ocean near Sri Lanka.

How powerful was Ockhi?
Ockhi was described as a ‘very severe cyclonic storm’, the third strongest category according to the definitions used by the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Cyclones are categorised by the maximum wind speed they generate. On Saturday, at its most powerful, Ockhi had wind speeds between 155 and 165 km per hour, touching the upper border for ‘very severe cyclonic storm’.
Cyclones with wind speeds between 165 and 220 km per hour are classified as ‘extremely severe cyclonic storm’. Those with even higher wind speeds are called ‘super-cyclones’. The most famous instance of a ‘super-cyclone’ was the one that hit the coast of Odisha in October 1999. It was the strongest-ever cyclone recorded in that area, with wind speeds touching 260 km per hour. It was also the most devastating cyclone to have hit India.
The 2013 Phailin cyclone very nearly got categorised as a super-cyclone. It had maximum wind speeds of around 220 km per hour.

How early the forecast is depends on how far we are from the place where the cyclone is emerging. Many of the big cyclones in recent years, like Phailin in 2013, Hudhud in 2014 or Vardah in 2016, developed near the Andaman Sea. From there, it took those cyclones about five to six days to hit the Andhra Pradesh or Odisha coasts.

These forecasts can be made only after an emerging depression is detected to have the properties of a cyclonic storm. This was true in the case of Ockhi as well. But the origin of Ockhi was much closer home. The cyclone formation was detected during the morning of Wednesday, November 29. An alert was issued around noon. But many areas in Tamil Nadu and on the Kerala coast started feeling the impact from Thursday itself. A day later, the Lakshadweep islands bore the brunt of the cyclone. Because it developed nearby, the lead time for the forecast was much less than in other recent cyclone cases.
 
Cyclone Ockhi LIVE UPDATES: As many as 39 people killed in Tamil Nadu and Kerala while 167 still missing, says MHA


After wrecking havoc in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Lakshadweep the Cyclone Ockhi which was expected to make landfall in Maharashtra has now moved away from state’s coast and is now expected to make landfall in the Gulf of Khambhat and Surat on December 6.
The Maharashtra government has declared a holiday for schools and colleges in four districts, as a precautionary measure. Parts of the state are expected to receive light to heavy rainfall in the next 24 hours. The severe cyclonic storm ‘Ockhi’ over east-central Arabian Sea moved further north-northeastwards with a speed of 25 kmph during the past 6 hours. It has weakened into a cyclonic storm.
Fishermen at South Gujarat and north Maharashtra coasts are advised not to venture into the sea along and off the coasts during 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 live updates:
4.55 pm: The BJP too has called off rallies and press conferences of Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in Surat today, also MP Manoj Tiwari’s roadshow in Bapunagar area of Ahmedabad was cancelled due to light showers since early morning, reports PTI.
4.50 pm: Rahul Gandhi’s rallies in Gujarat’s Morbi, Dhrangadhra and Surendranagar have been cancelled due to bad weather, reports ANI.
3.47 pm: Thirty three tourists including some foreigners rescued in Lakshadweep: MHA
3.45 pm: Two merchant ships were rescued and 16 crew members were saved in Lakshadweep: MHA
3.30 pm: As many as 39 people lost lives in Cyclone Ockhi in Tamil Nadu and Kerala while 167 still missing: Minister of Home Affairs.
3.10 pm: One boat from Maharashtra’s Raigarh with 4 people goes missing, rescue agencies trying to establish contact, reports ANI.
3.05 pm: Cyclone Ockhi about 480 km SSW of Surat at 05.30 IST, to cross south Gujarat coast by tonight, reports IMD.
2.58 pm: The Kerala government have intensified search and rescue operations are on to trace the 92 fishermen missing in high seas after Cyclone Ockhi hit the state’s coast on November 29, reports PTI.
2.50 pm: ‘Severe’ Cyclone Ockhi has now weakened into a Cyclone and is currently over East-Central Arabian Sea about 390 km SSW of Surat and 230 km WSW of Mumbai, reports Skymet Weather.
01:56 pm: National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) asks fishermen in east & west coasts not to venture out. Instructing people not to panic in case of a cyclone alert, the NDMA issued an advisory that fishermen along and off Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu coasts should not venture into sea from December 6 to 8 while fishermen along and off Andaman and Nicobar Islands are advised not to venture into sea till Wednesday.

01:26 pm: Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath handed over a cheque worth five crore rupees to the PM Modi from Chief Minister Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF) towards Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF), for the cyclone affected people in Lakshadweep and other states.


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.

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.

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.


Cyclone Ockhi LIVE UPDATES: As many as 39 people killed in Tamil Nadu and Kerala while 167 still missing, says MHA
 
  • Informative
Reactions: GuardianRED
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom