Cyclone Okchi continues to leave trail of destruction schools shut in Maharashtra rescue operation underway

Cyclone Okchi continues to leave trail of destruction, schools shut in Maharashtra, rescue operation underway

Cyclone Ockhi which was predicted to pass over the Lakshwadeep islands and veer away from mainland India has left a trail of destruction in parts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu and is now heading towards Gujarat and Maharashtra. According to India Meteorological Department (IMD), the storm is further expected to make landfall in South Gujarat on Tuesday night, causing heavy rains in and around the state.

Cyclone Okchi continues to leave trail of destruction, schools shut in Maharashtra, rescue operation underway

Schools and colleges in Maharashtra including those in Mumbai were closed in the wake of the forecast of rain triggered by Cyclone Ockhi on Tuesday.

Cyclone Okchi continues to leave trail of destruction, schools shut in Maharashtra, rescue operation underway

Eastern and Western Railway in Mumbai have also taken necessary steps in order to avoid any kind of untoward incident as Cyclone Ockhi is expected to hit coastal areas of Maharashtra.

Cyclone Okchi continues to leave trail of destruction, schools shut in Maharashtra, rescue operation underway

Vehicles wade through a waterlogged street in Versova, Mumbai.

Cyclone Okchi continues to leave trail of destruction, schools shut in Maharashtra, rescue operation underway

Maharashtra minister Vinod Tawde took to micro-blogging site Twitter and declared holiday for Sindhudurga, Thane, Raigad and Palghar districts.

Cyclone Okchi continues to leave trail of destruction, schools shut in Maharashtra, rescue operation underway

Fishermen bring in their boats at the coast of Mumbai, near the Bandra-Worli Sea Link.

Cyclone Okchi continues to leave trail of destruction, schools shut in Maharashtra, rescue operation underway

Indian Navy's search and rescue operations are still underway in some parts of Southeast Arabian Sea and Lakshadweep and Minicoy islands in the aftermath of Cyclone Ockhi.