Blame game over cyclone Ockhi, Kerala CM says was not informed in time

Photo: Twitter/ANI

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has blamed the disaster management department for serious lapses in dealing with Cyclone Ockhi. The CM on Friday claimed that the alert from Hyderabad was not sent to the government on time.

The cyclone intensified into a severe cyclonic storm and moved to the Arabian Sea on Friday. The Navy rescued eight fishermen caught in choppy waters and intensified search for 30 others missing.

#WATCH: High tides seen at Lakshadweep coast #CycloneOckhi pic.twitter.com/sxUBC4geku — ANI (@ANI) December 1, 2017

Rains, which left eight persons dead including four each in Tamil Nadu and Kerala on Thursday, continued to lash parts of the two states.

"Ockhi cyclone intensified into severe cyclone and lies at about 110 km northeast of Minicoy (island) and it is likely to cross Lakshadweep arch during the next 24 hours," the India Meteorological Department said on Friday.

#WATCH: Water logging in Sthanumalayan Temple in Kanyakumari's Suchindram #CycloneOckhi pic.twitter.com/nDSjmpfXoz — ANI (@ANI) December 1, 2017

Gale winds speed reaching 110-120 kmph gusting to 130 kmph were very likely over and around Lakshadweep during next 24 hours. Squally wind conditions would prevail along and off Kerala and Karnataka coast.

It forecast rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy at a few places and isolated extremely heavy falls (more than 20 cm) over Lakshadweep area during next 24 hours.

With rains continuing to hit normal life in south Tamil Nadu, a holiday was declared for schools and colleges in five districts.