Cyclone Ockhi scrapes Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Four persons were killed and over 100 fishermen reportedly went missing after heavy rains triggered by Cyclone Ockhi battered the southern districts on Thursday. Authorites said 14 fisherment returned at night.  The cyclone with a wind speed of 75 km which centred between Kanya-kumari and Thiruvananthapuram, resulted in torrential rains through the day. Alphonsamma, 65, of Vizhinjam died after a tree collapsed on her inside Vizhinjam bus depot. Appu Nadar, 75 and his wife Sumathi, 65 were electrocuted from an electric pole which was got uprooted by strong winds at Killi near Kattakada.

Vishnu, 40, died in Kulathupuzha in Kollam district after a tree fell over an autorickshaw.   The torrential rains wreaked havoc in coastal areas of Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam districts. Some 150 fishermen who ventured into the sea in about 50 boats from various parts of Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday were reported missing.  Navy, coast guard, air force and local police have launched a massive operation to rescue them. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan held an emergency meeting via video conferencing with Collectors of Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha Idukki and Ernakulam to review the situation. He directed them to coordinate with other departments and maintain strict vigil.

He said the government had sought the assistance of navy, coast guard and air force for carrying out relief and rescue operations. Pinarayi said two Air Force helicopters from Coimbatore and two aircraft will carry out search operations on Friday. Indian Navy 's helicopter and a dornier aircraft which conducted search today will continue operations tomorrow as well. Fisheries minister J Mercy Kutty Amma who visited coastal areas in the district told reporters that seven navy boats had been requisitioned to trace missing fishermen and bring them to safety. However, adverse weather conditions were coming in the way of rescue operations.

Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor tweeted; "Some 450 Kerala fishermen on 80 boats missing at sea since last night. Spoke to @India Coast Guard Commandant who admits his vessels have so far been inadequate for search and rescue but 2 bigger vessels on their way." In Pathanamthitta, district administration sounded alert in Sabarimala area asking pilgrims to avoid night trekking to Lord Ayyappa temple.  Owing to overflowing of Pampa river, vehicles of the pilgrims parked in the area have also been moved out. The authorities appealed to the pilgrims to avoid travelling by road to Pampa during night following threat of land slips on the way.

A defence release issued in Kochi said the Navy had deployed four ships and two aircraft to assist in the search and rescue of fishermen who reportedly went missing in the sea near Vizhinjam. The Southern Naval Command has deployed Naval ships 'Shardul', 'Nireekshak', 'Kabra' and 'Kalpeni' and two aircraft based on the request received from the Thiruvananthapuram Collector for assistance.
The ships and aircraft would carry out search and rescue operations in the area and would continue to remain at sea for any assistance required by the civil administration till the cyclone crossed the coast.

The Southern Naval Command was also gearing up for any humanitarian assistance and disaster relief that may be required in view of the cyclone in the southern parts of Kerala, defence statement added. Four trains were partially cancelled due to cyclonic wind and incessant torrential rain between Nagercoil-Kanyakumari, Nagercoil Thiruvnanthpuram and Nagercoil-Tirunelveli sections. Shutters of  Neyyar Dam were opened following heavy rain in catchment areas.In Idukki district, a portion of St Sebastian’s school fell down, but no injuries have been reported so far.

The rains which began early Thursday morning battered various parts of the state especially southern districts. Several houses and vehicles were damaged with high velocity winds uprooting trees, electric posts and advertisement hoardings at many places. Power supply was badly affected in many parts of the affected districts with KSEB trying to restore the supply till late night.  Several low lying areas were flooded.

The authorities have opened relief camps at various places to accommodate people being evacuated from the affected areas including coastal areas. The government appealed to the people to remain indoors in view of the torrential rains and high velocity winds. The holiday declared for educational institutions including schools on Friday on account of Milad – e- Sharif has come as  a big relief as the met department had predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall during next 24 hours.

State Police Chief Loknath Behra said directions have been issued to district police superintendents and coastal police to evacuate people stranded in low lying areas. The authorities have directed revenue department to keep its offices open 24/7 in affected districts. A state control room has been opened here which can be approached on 0471-2331639, 2333198

Heavy rainfall, high velocity winds predicted:

During next 48 hours high velocity winds up to the speed of  55 km to 65 km per hour are expected in southern Kerala. Fishermen have been warned againt venturing into the sea during next 48 hours. Heavy to very heavy rainfall and strong winds are expected under the influence of cyclonic storm Ockh. Rainfall of 7 cm to 11 cm is expected in the next 48 hours. Gale wind speed reaching 65-75 km per hour gusting to 85 kmph very likely along and off south Kerala during the next 48 hours. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into sea along and off south Kerala coast. Thunderstorms accompanied with squall and lightening likely at isolate places over Kerala. Squally winds speed reaching 55-65 km gusting to 75 km/hour likely along and off  Kerala coast.