Cyclone Ockhi kills 17 in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Lakshadweep remains on high alert

Kanyakumari: Cyclone Ockhi has so far taken at least 17 lives in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and is likely to intensify further across Lakshadweep archipelago in the next 24 hours.

According to the Indian Meteorological Department, “The very severe cyclonic storm Ockhi over Lakshadweep and adjoining southeast Arabian Sea moved further west-northwestwards with a speed of 11 kmph during the past 6 hours,” quotes India Today.

Also Read: Cyclone Ockhi: Heavy rainfalls hit Kanyakumari, kill four – The Siasat Daily

Search and rescue operations are underway to find fishermen who went for fishing into waters on Wednesday and Thursday.

The latest information suggests at least 219 people are evacuated by a joint rescue effort of Indian Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard on Friday.

Cyclone Ockhi had battered the southern districts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu on Thursday with heavy rains and destructive winds.