Live updates on Cyclone Ockhi: 218 fishermen rescued off Kerala coast

An elderly person is carried to safe place in a flooded locality following a heavy storm at Nagercoil in Kanyakumari district. (PTI photo)

Cyclone Ockhi has hit southern districts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu - wrecking havoc in its path and leaving many in need of assistance.

01 December 2017

23:14 PM

Orders have been issued to evacuate people from low lying areas of various islands including Kalpeni, Minicoy, Kavratti, Agatti, Androth, Kadamath and Amini in the Union Territory of Lakshadweep.

23:13 PM

218 fishermen have been brought to safety so far, according to local officials.

22:32 PM

Close to 165 families have been relocated in Kerala. (Full report here)

21:15 PM

The death toll in Kerala and Tamil Nadu has reached 12. TN Chief Minister  K Palaniswami has announced a solatium of Rs 4 lakh to the kin of each of the victims.

20:23 PM

Medical assistance is being provided to fishermen rescued from sea.

Kerala: Rescued fishermen brought to Trivandrim Air Force Station, later admitted to hospital for treatment #CycloneOckhi pic.twitter.com/lB10HNPqsE

— ANI (@ANI) December 1, 2017

20:21 PM

The Indian Navy and the Coast Guard has rescued scores of fishermen stranded in sea in a massive search operation after Cyclone Ockhi struck the Kerala coast. (Full report here)

20:21 PM

An IMD bulletin said Ockhi over Southeast Arabian Sea continued to move west-northwestwards with a speed of 13 kmph. It lies over Lakshadweep area and adjoining southeast Arabian Sea about 90km northeast of Minicoy and 270km south-southeast of Amini Divi.

20:20 PM

A low pressure system over the South Andaman Sea is expected to turn into a depression in the next 48 hours, which may bring more rainfall to Tamil Nadu.

20:19 PM

IANS reports that over 1,000 affected people in Kanyakumari have been put up in camps.

20:18 PM

At least nine people have reportedly been killed in Tamil Nadu. Rescue and relief operations are in full swing.

20:17 PM

Heavy rains continue to batter southern districts of Kerala and some parts of Tamil Nadu.