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 IST

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 IST

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

22:32 IST

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

21:15 IST

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 IST

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 IST

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 IST

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 IST

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 IST

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

20:18 IST

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

20:17 IST

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