Cyclone Ockhi: Lakshadweep braces for severe attack

KOCHI: Lakshadweep, which was bracing for the most severe attack of the cyclone Ockhi, has reported no casualties till Friday while over 600 people have been taken to safer locations by the administration. Administrator Farooq Khan told this newspaper that the cyclone has already hit the islands of Minicoy and Kalpeni and there has been heavy damage to property and fishing boats. “Fishermen have lost several boats,” Mr Khan said from Kavaratti, the headquarters of the Lakshadweep administration.

“Even a Navy boat has sunk. People living in the low-lying areas and coasts have been taken to safer locations and shelters. High winds are already lashing Kavavratti which will be hit by the severest portion of the cyclone in a few hours from now. We are expecting the cyclone to hit Bangaram, Chetlat and Kiltan tonight or tomorrow morning. Already high waves of five metres height are lashing around.” Mr Khan said the cyclone is expected to cross the islands by tomorrow noon when the threat from it is expected to be over.

The administration rescued fishermen from five fishing boats missing from the Kerala coast, he said.  “Three boats belong to Tamil Nadu and two to Kerala. We are identifying the fishermen in the boats and their total number. We have informed Kerala and TN administrations about the development and they are in our safe custody,” he said. Meanwhile, Lakshadweep MP Muhammed Faizal in a release said that sufficient early warnings were issued in the islands of the cyclone which saved lives. He also said that the island remains marooned with the suspension of ship and flight services. He also said the losses worth crores of rupees have already happened. He said the administration is co-ordinating with the disaster management authority, Navy and Coastal police and that he is in touch with the Union home minister and the PMO.