Severe weather warning as Cyclone Ockhi set to intensify: latest IMD alert
- Giant waves expected to hit the coast of Kerala in cyclone
- Two hundred stranded fishermen were rescued on Friday
- See more news from India at www.dailymail.co.uk/indiahome
Cyclonic storm Ockhi, which stranded hundreds of fishermen and caused destruction in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Lakshadweep, is likely to intensify in the next 24 hours.
An India Met Department (IMD) department bulletin said it is likely to move west-northwestwards across Lakshadweep, before turning northeast in the following 48 hours.
Indian officials carry a stranded fisherman, rescued by naval and air force helicopters from the Ockhi cyclone, at Thiruvananthpuram airport on December 1, 2017
Heavy rains and winds during the Cyclone Ockhi on November 30, 2017 at Thiruvananthapuram, India. Heavy rains and gushing winds hammered the southern coast of Tamil Nadu and Kerala on Thursday as a deep depression in the Bay of Bengal turned into a cyclonic storm leaving a trail of destruction in both states
People gather near the coastguard boat during Cyclone Ockhi on December 1, 2017 in Thiruvananthapuram, India
Indian officials carry a stranded fisherman, rescued by naval and air force helicopters from the Ockhi cyclone, at Thiruvananthpuram airport on December 1, 2017
Huge water waves crashing against the rocks on the shore due to Cyclone Ockhi
Trees uprooted by heavy winds during the Cyclone Ockhi
People took shelter during heavy rains and gushing winds
Umbrellas out in force
Huge water waves crashing against the rocks on the shore at due to Cyclone Ockhi
Official sources said giant waves were expected along the coast of Kerala.
Gale winds with speeds of 120-130 kmph gusting to 145 kmph are very likely over Lakshadweep in the next 24 hours, the IMD bulletin said.
Several agencies, including the Coast Guard, the Navy and the Air Force, worked together to rescue over 200 stranded fishermen on Friday.
On Saturday, the Tamil Nadu government asked the Centre to deploy the Indian Navy and Coast Guard for the search and rescue of missing fishermen, mostly from Kanyakumari, in the wake of cyclone Ockhi.
Chief minister K Palaniswami made the request as he discussed the situation with union home minister Rajnath Singh.
Singh had called up the chief minister and sought details on the damage caused by the the cyclone, an official release said.