Toll in Cyclone Ockhi rises to 39 in TN, Kerala; 162 still missing
05 Dec 2017
Cyclone Ockhi has left at least 39 people dead in Tamil Nadu and Kerala while 167 people are still missing, as a weakened cyclonic storm moved towards the Gujarat coast, even as the weather bureau has warned of a fresh storm brewing in the Bay of Bengal.
Cyclone Ockhi, which wrecked havoc in Kerala and Tamil Nadu and Lakshadweep, is now expected to make landfall in the Gulf of Khambhat and Surat on tomorrow (6 December) after skipping Maharashtra coast.
According to the ministry of home affairs, at least 39 people have been killed so far in Tamil Nadu and Kerala alone so far, while 167 are still missing.
The Maharashtra government has declared a holiday for schools and colleges in four districts, as a precautionary measure. Parts of the state have been receiving light to heavy rainfall, but the cyclonic storm 'Ockhi' lying over east-central Arabian Sea moved further north-northeastwards with a speed of 25 kmph during the past 6 hours.
Fishermen in South Gujarat and north Maharashtra coasts, however, have been advised not to venture into the sea along and off the coasts during next 24 hours.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of a fresh cyclonic storm brewing in the Bay of Bengal as a well marked low pressure area formed over southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining south Andaman Sea.
The depression, which now lies over southeast Bay of Bengal and neighbourhood, is very likely to become a depression over the same area during the next 12 hours and further intensify into a deep depression during the subsequent 48 hours, it warned. It is very likely to move west-northwestwards towards north Tamil Nadu- south Andhra Pradesh coasts during next 3 days, it added.
IMD also has warned of rainfall in most places with isolated heavy rainfall very likely over Nicobar Islands and rainfall at many places over Andaman Islands during next 3 days
Rainfall at many places with heavy falls at isolated places very likely over north Andhra Pradesh and south Odisha on 7 and 8 December, it said
Squally winds speed reaching 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph on 5 and 6 December 2017 very likely over and around Nicobar Islands and decrease thereafter, it said.
IMD said sea condition in the area would be rough to very rough during 5 and 6 December around Nicobar Islands.
Fishermen along and off Nicobar Islands have been advised not to venture into sea till 6 December 20 while fishermen along and off Andhra Pradesh and Tamilnadu coasts have been advised not to venture into sea during 6 to 8 December 2017.
