Cyclone Ockhi waning, may not hit Gujarat coast, says IMD

New Delhi:

After devastating lives in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Lakshadweep, the deadly Cyclone Ockhi has now moved towards poll-bound Gujarat.

The Cyclone is now slowly losing its intensity and expected to make a landfall in the Gulf of Khambhat and Surat around midnight.

“It is very likely to continue to move north-northwestwards, weaken gradually and cross south Gujarat and adjoining Maharashtra coasts near Surat as a deep depression by the night of December 5,” said India Meteorological Department (IMD).

Fishermen in Gujarat and Maharashtra were advised not to venture into sea and the Maharashtra govt has declared a holiday in schools and colleges in four districts.

So far, the deadly Cyclone Ockhi has claimed at least 39 lives while around 139 people were still missing, the Ministry of Home Affairs said.

Here are the live updates of Cyclone Ockhi:

# Cyclone Ockhi is gradually weakening into a depression and may not hit the Gujarat coast near Surat as predicted earlier, the Meteorological Centre said in Ahmedabad tonight. Cyclonic storm Ockhi has already turned into a “deep depression” and may hit south Gujarat only as a “depression” late tonight, according to an official statement.

# I have spoken to Health Ministers of Tamil Nadu and Gujarat regarding Cyclone Ockhi , and have assured them that all support will be extended by the Centre, in terms of medicines and medical teams: JP Nadda,Health Minister

# CycloneOckhi around 350 km south-SW of Surat,it is expected to cross tonight. It is showing sign of decreasing in intensity.Issued heavy rainfall alert in coastal districts only for tonight, wind speed expected to be around 65-70 kmph when cyclone cross: Director, IMD Ahmedabad

# Every attempt is being made by Coast Guard, Indian Navy & Indian Air Force to get the missing fishermen and to bring them back to safety. I have been quoting the numbers given to me by the state govt: Union Defence Minister Sitharaman

# Cyclone Ockhi today passed the Mumbai coast and much to the relief of the people, it just brought rains and therewas no damage to life or property.

# We have kept the communication lines open. We are trying to monitor that no water logging takes place and the water supply is in ample amount: Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani in Surat

# Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rally in Surat on December 6 has been postponed. He will now address a rally on December 7 at 1 PM, reports Purab Patel from Gujarat.

# As IMD informs cyclone OCKHI is 230km West- SouthWest of Mumbai, likely to continue to move North- NorthEastward, weaken gradually and will cross South Gujrat and North Maharashtra coast. No impact on Mumbai City and Suburb. All Roads & Rails traffic are running smoothly, please don't create panic: DMU, MCGM

# Continuously monitoring the situation arising in various parts of the country due to #CycloneOckhi. Spoke to all relevant authorities and officials. All possible assistance is being provided to those affected, tweets PM Modi.

Continuously monitoring the situation arising in various parts of the country due to #CycloneOckhi. Spoke to all relevant authorities and officials. All possible assistance is being provided to those affected.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 5, 2017

# The Kerala government today said that 'Operation Synergy,’ a joint rescue mission by Navy, Air force, Coast guards and state fisheries department has been launched trace 92 fishermen, still missing in high seas after cyclone Ockhi hit the state coast on November 29 and 30.

# Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday called off poll rallies of party national president Amit Shah due to Cyclone Ockhi. He had to address public meetings in Rajula, Mahuva and Shihor constituencies in the poll-bound state.

# As per the latest forecast released by the Meteorological Centre here, the cyclone is now just 390 kms away from Surat.
The cyclone is approaching Gujarat steadily and now lies centred in the Arabian Sea just 390 kms away from Surat. It is very likely to continue moving north-northwestwards, an official of the MeT centre said.

# Take a look at the #CycloneOckhi #MumbaiRains update from Skymet weather.

Take a look at the #CycloneOckhi #MumbaiRains update @RidlrMUM @Saamanaonline @firstpost @ETNOWlive @abpmajhatv @MumbaiPolice @TOIMumbai @TV9Marathi @mataonline @tv9gujarati pic.twitter.com/ihleDBtQqT

— SkymetWeather (@SkymetWeather) December 5, 2017

# Light to moderate #rains with one or two heavy spells are likely over #Gujarat, North Maharashtra, and Andaman and the Nicobar Islands: Skymet Weather

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