Cyclone Ockhi: 8 dead as heavy rains southern Kerala, Tamil Nadu

Heavy rains lashed the southern coast of Tamil Nadu and Kerala on Thursday as a deep depression in the Bay of Bengal turned into cyclonic storm Ockhi.

While four deaths were reported in Tamil Nadu, four people were killed in Kerala. At least 12 fishing boats set off to the seas from Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam coasts on Wednesday night are reported to be missing.

Both the state governments put the official machinery on high alert as the cyclone, lying 60 kms south of Kanyakumari, was forecast to dump more rains in south Tamil Nadu and Kerala in the next 24 hours.

The storm was expected to move toward the Lakshadweep archipelago and hit the islands on December 2.

Southern districts of Tamil Nadu is expected to witness moderate to heavy rainfall in the next 24 hours due to formation of cyclonic storm 'Ockhi' today, a MeT official said.

The storm could also intensify into severe cyclone, he said, adding the cyclone is expected to have a wind speed of 65-75 km per hour and that the sea will be rough.

Fishermen in coastal regions in southern Tamil Nadu including Kanyakumari, Tuticorin and Ramanathapuram districts have been advised not to venture into sea for the next 24 hours.

"Yesterdays's depression escalated into deep depression early this morning and further intensified into cyclonic storm at 8.30 am and lies at about 70 km south of Kanyakumari," Director, Regional Meteorological Centre, S Balachandran told reporters.

The depression hovered over South West Bay of Bengal. The name Ockhi, given by Bangladesh, is expected to move further north-westward towards Lakshwadeep, he said. As per current indications, "it is expected to intensify into severe cyclone also".

Southern Tamil Nadu districts including Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli and Tuticorin will experience heavy rainfall. At one or two places of these regions, heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected as well, he added.

Also, some places in Theni, Dindigul, Nilgiris, Coimbatore and Delta regions, including Thanjavur may see heavy rainfall, he said. In Chennai, a few intermittent spells of rainfall can be expected. In Kerala, the official said all southern districts of the state will experience good rainfall during the next 24 hours.

Cyclone Ockhi, lashing parts of Tamil Nadu and Kerala with torrential rains and gusty winds, is approaching the Lakshadweep archipelago, a top official at the Ministry of Earth Sciences said in Delhi today.

All schools in Kerala's Thiruvananthipuram and Kollam districts will remain shut as a precautionary measure by the government. Other towns in coastal areas are likely to take the same measure.

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