Cyclone Ockhi: Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Tamil Nadu; massive destruction in Lakshadweep

Commodore G Prakash, Commanding Officer of INS Venduruthy told reporters in Kochi that the Indian Navy has rescued 25 people from Lakshadweep and picked 13 people off the Kerala coast. 

Navy is continuing with a massive search operation with 8-10 ships off the Kerala coast, Commodore Prakash added.

“In Lakshadweep, there has been massive destruction. Houses have lost their roofs, trees have fallen and boats capsized. Navy is conducting a massive search in the area,” Commodore Prakash said further. 

Meanwhile, in Kerala, a team of Indian Navy has made preparations in Kochi to fly to Lakshadweep for rescue operations. So far 25 people have been rescued from Lakshadweep. 

The collector of Gir Somnath district in Gujarat has said that Cyclone Ockhi is likely to lash Saurashtra coast in the next 48 hours and subsequently weaken. All fishermen have been warned to not venture out and those already out have been asked to return immediately.  

In Tamil Nadu, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman took stock of Cyclone Ochki affected Kanyakumari and interacted with the locals. 

#CycloneOckhi - Smt @nsitharaman reaches Kanyakumari. Along with Hon. Dy CM @OfficeOfOPS
senior ministers, officers of Navy, coastguard and district officials, Smt @nsitharaman reviews the current situation. pic.twitter.com/5u2OTQSSxS

— Raksha Mantri (@DefenceMinIndia) December 3, 2017

Tamil Nadu State Revenue Control Room has said a total of 690 people have been rescued so far. The total number of deaths is 19 while 96 people are missing, 63 have been hospitalised, 74 houses fully damaged, and 1122 housed partially damaged. 

#HADR #CycloneOchki #SAR operation :- A stranded fishing vessel taken under tow and rescued by INS Sharda @DefenceMinIndia @SpokespersonMoD @nsitharaman pic.twitter.com/90VS03fBJb

— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) December 3, 2017