Cyclone Ockhi, which battered Tamil Nadu and Kerala in the last two days, has moved beyond the coast of Lakshwadweep. It is likely to cross south Gujarat coast near Surat around midnight of December 5.
According to the latest India Meteorological Department (IMD) report, cyclonic storm Ockhi is very likely to recurvenortheastwards towards south Gujarat and adjoining north Maharashtra coasts in the next 72 hours.
The Gujarat government had issued warning to the fishing community asking them not to venture into the sea along and off south Gujarat and north Maharashtra coasts from December 4-6 morning. The cyclone has so far claimed at least 19 lives in Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
HEAVY RAINFALL WARNING
Light to moderate rainfall at many places with heavy rainfall at isolated places is very likely over Saurashtra and south Gujarat region on December 5 and over south and north Gujarat regions on December 5 (upto around noon). The weather will improve thereafter.
WIND WARNING
Squally wind speed reaching 50-60 kmph gusting to 70 kmph very likely along and off north Maharashtra and south Gujarat coasts from December 4 night to December 6 morning.
SEA CONDITION
Sea condition would be rough to very rough along and off north Maharashtra and South Gujarat coasts from from December 4 night to December 6 morning.
SITHARAMAN REVIEWS RELIEF WORK
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today reviewed the search-and-rescue operations undertaken after cyclone Ockhi.
According to the figures collated by the Defence Ministry, the Indian Navy, Coast Guard and Indian Air Force have so far rescued 357 people.
Tamil Nadu: Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman took stock of #CycloneOchki affected Kanyakumari and interacted with the locals. pic.twitter.com/nRdIOzNDYI
— ANI (@ANI) December 3, 2017
Sitharaman will on Monday undertake a road journey from Kanyakumari to the Kerala capital Thiruvananthapuram and visit cyclone-affected areas and meet locals on the way, Ministry officials said.
Till Sunday morning, around 89 boats with 1,154 fishermen, mostly from Kerala and Tamil Nadu, have taken shelter in various ports of Karnataka, Maharashtra, Goa and Lakshwadeep, a Ministry tweet said.
