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Cyclone Ockhi continues to disrupt lives in different parts of the country. The cyclone that held the "very severe" status has weakened into a "severe" cyclone and will make landfall near Surat and the Gulf of Khambat in Gujarat as a deep depression early on Wednesday, the Met Office has said.
The cyclone that wreaked havoc in South India has claimed over 20 lives in Kerala and Tamil Nadu and hundreds remain missing as rescue operations continue. Schools have been closed in Mumbai and neighbouring districts as a precautionary measure.
The cyclone that wreaked havoc in South India has claimed over 20 lives in Kerala and Tamil Nadu and hundreds remain missing as rescue operations continue. Schools have been closed in Mumbai and neighbouring districts as a precautionary measure.
Here are the live update on Cyclone Ockhi.
The Election Commission today asked poll authorities in Gujarat to ensure that voters in assembly seats falling in the path of cyclone Ockhi are able to cast exercise their franchise on December 9 without inconvenience despite inclement weather.
In a letter to the chief electoral officer of Gujarat, the commission said considering the cyclone alert and the scheduled first phase of polls on December 9, "besides making effective arrangements for immediate relief and rehabilitation, adequate, effective and fool-proof arrangements may also be made... towards the smooth and efficient conduct of the election process".
In a tweet, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said, "My heartfelt prayers are with brothers n sisters of Tamilnadu n Kerala in view of cyclone Ockhi. May God be with them. Also request volunteers of AAP Kerala n Tamilnadu to participate in the rescue works!"
After wreaking havoc in some southern states, cyclone Ockhi today passed the Mumbai coast and much to the relief of the people, it just brought rains and there was no damage to life or property.
The high tide scheduled at 12.43 pm did not cause any damage. Though the cyclone has passed, there could still be intermittent rains, said an official of the disaster management cell of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
The next high tide is scheduled at midnight, but as the cyclone has passed there is no reason to worry, he added. According to BMC officials, there was no impact of the cyclone on the megapolis and road and rail traffic was normal.
We have kept the communication lines open. We are trying to monitor that no water logging takes place and the water supply is in ample amount: Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani after meeting officials on cyclone Ockhi.
Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani chairs a meeting in Surat to oversee preparedness in wake of #CycloneOckhi pic.twitter.com/PGonbKQwi1
- ANI (@ANI) December 5, 2017
The Madras High Court today directed the Tamil Nadu government to provide adequate basic amenities to those affected by cyclone Ockhi in Kanyakumari district.
Justices M Venugopal and Dharani of the Madurai bench gave the direction on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) by Wilso Tasbin, who alleged that relief and rehabilitation work by the government in the district was inadequate.
The bench directed the government officials to provide adequate medicines, electricity and water for the people and also all basic amenities in camps.
PM Modi's rally in Surat, which was to be held tomorrow, has been cancelled due to cyclone Ockhi.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath called has handed over a cheque of Rs 5 crore to PM Narendra Modi for the cyclone-affected people in Lakshadweep and other states.
Cyclone Ockhi In India: All You Need To KnowOriginating near Sri Lanka over the Bay of Bengal on November 29, Cyclone Ockhi moved over the Arabian Sea via Kanyakumari, triggering heavy rains and high speed wind.
Cyclone Ockhi kills 39 people, 167 fishermen still missing, says government
As many as 39 people have been killed and 167 fishermen were still missing after cyclone Ockhi hit Tamil Nadu and Kerala coasts while 809 others were swept away to Maharashtra, the Union Home Ministry said today.
Joint Secretary in the ministry Sanjeev Kumar Jindal also said the cyclone is slowing down and would have no impact in Gujarat, where the first of the two-phased assembly elections is due four days later.
"As of now, 10 people lost their lives in Tamil Nadu and 29 others in Kerala. Even though the exact number of missing persons were not known, as per available information, whereabouts of 74 fishermen in Tamil Nadu and 93 fishermen in Kerala is not known yet," he said.
A total of 556 fishermen were also rescued by relief and rescue teams from seas.
Amid the heat of the Gujarat polls, cyclone Ockhi, eddying menacingly towards the state's coast, pours cold water on the campaigning today, forcing cancellation of rallies of several top leaders, including those by BJP chief Amit Shah and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
Cyclonic storm Ockhi have moved further north-northeastwards with a speed of 21 kmph during past 6 hours and lay centred at 11.30 am over east-central Arabian Sea, about 350 km south-southwest of Surat and 200 km west-southwest of Mumbai.
It is very likely to continue to move north-northeastwards, weaken gradually and cross south Gujarat and adjoining north Maharashtra coasts near Surat as a deep depression by tonight, the government said in a statement.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he is continuously monitoring the situation arising in various parts of the country due to Cyclone Ockhi. PM Modi said that he has spoken to officials and that all "possible assistance is being provided to those affected".
Seven teams of NDRF deployed at Surat, Navsari, Amreli, Valsad, Bhavnagar and Somnath in Gujrat to assist the administration to deal with the situation arising due to cyclone Ockhi.
The Indian Navy has provided humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to people affected by cyclone Ockhi in Lakshadweep, a Defence spokesperson said today. Navy ships carried the relief material to the island of Minicoy on Sunday and the Kavaratti and Kalpeni islands yesterday, he said.
Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi has praised the people of Lakshadweep for rescuing fishermen affected by Cyclone Ockhi and asked the government to announce a relief package for the victims.
Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi's rallies in Gujarat's Morbi, Dhrangadhra and Surendranagar cancelled due to bad weather. Cyclone Ockhi is expected to make a landfall in the state at midnight.
The Western Railway today said it has taken necessary precautions and made suitable arrangements in view of the warning about cyclone Ockhi in coastal areas of Maharashtra. The India Meteorological Department has warned of heavy rainfall in north Konkan and north Madhya Maharashtra due to the cyclone.
The WR's engineering control has been kept on alert to keep a watch on water level over railway tracks, it said in a release here.
As Cyclone Ockhi Nears, Lakhs Expected To Gather In Mumbai At Shivaji ParkAs Cyclone Ockhi gets closer to Mumbai's coast, the BMC has told the police, fire brigade, coast guard, NDRF and the Navy to be on their toes till December 7, during which it is expected to hit Dadar's Shivaji Park and Cadell Road. BMC has asked the authorities to be on high alert on December 6, which is the 62nd Dr. Ambedkar Mahaparinirvan Diwas, when lakhs of people would be gathering at Shivaji Park to pay their respects to Dr. BR Ambedkar.
In Goa, the shack owners, whose establishments suffered damages following high tide during to the cyclone, have decided to approach the state tourism department to seek compensation for their losses.
'Operation Synergy', a joint rescue mission by the Navy, the Air Force, Coast Guard and state fisheries department has so far rescued 252 fishermen stranded in the seas in the aftermath of the cyclone.
Disaster Management Authority Cautions Fishermen From Venturing Out To SeaThe National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) today asked fishermen in both eastern and western coasts not to venture out in the sea for the next three days as heavy rainfall is expected in many areas due to Cyclone Ockhi.
On Monday, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had visited cyclone-hit areas here and assured the state all help. She had also asserted that rescue operations would continue till every missing fishermen was brought back safely.
Search and rescue operations have been intensified to trace the 92 fishermen missing in high seas after Cyclone Ockhi hit the state's coast on November 29, the Kerala government said today.
Legendary actor Shashi Kapoor was wrapped in the tricolour for his last rites at the Santacruz Hindu Crematorium today as rains continue to lash parts of Mumbai. Prominent Bollywood actors visited Prithvi house after he breathed his last at 5.20 pm at the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital after a period of prolonged illness, IANS reported.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath handed over a cheque worth Rs 5 Cr to Prime Minister Narendra Modi from CM Distress Relief Fund towards PM's National Relief Fund, for the cyclone affected people in Lakshadweep and other affected states.
The Western Railway (WR) today said it has taken necessary precautions and made suitable arrangements in view of the warning about cyclone Ockhi in coastal areas of Maharashtra. To keep a watch on water level over railway tracks, the WR's engineering control has been kept on alert, IANS reported citing a press release.
Similarly, Railway Protection Force and commercial control staff has been asked to monitor crowd movements and undertake necessary evacuation at stations in case of a disaster-like situation. "A large number of RPF and other security personnel have been deployed on crowd management and other related activities at stations, yards. Ticket checking staff have also been put on crowd management duties," the release said.
The National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) on Monday took stock of the preparedness in Maharashtra and Gujarat. The coast guard, air force, Navy, NDRF and local government agencies continue the search and rescue operations in the affected areas, IANS reported.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) this morning said this morning that heavy rainfall was likely at a few places in Mumbai "with squally wind speed reaching 50 to 60 kms per hour gusting to 70 kms per hour very likely along coastal area in next 24 hours," PTI reported.
Cyclone Ockhi, which struck southern Tamil Nadu and Kerala on November 30, has ravaged a large part of coastal areas. On Monday, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K. Palaniswami and Kerala's Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan over phone to take stock of situation about the areas affected by Cyclone Ockhi, IANS reported citing an official. The Home Minister also called up Lakshadweep Administrator Farooq Khan to enquire about the situation in the islands.
As Cyclone Ockhi passes through the coast of Maharashtra before it makes landfall near Surat and the Gulf of Khambat in Gujarat on Wednesday, Mumbai witnessed light showers all night on Tuesday. Fishermen have been asked not to venture out into the sea.
The National Disaster Management Authority shared a list of "Do's and Don'ts" on its official Twitter account.
#CycloneOckhi #Cyclone Do's and Don'ts. Plz RT and Share pic.twitter.com/y5N6dp9VKj
- NDMA India (@ndmaindia) November 30, 2017
PM Modi urged the BJP workers in poll-bound Gujarat "to help people across the state".
With #CycloneOckhi expected to make a landfall in Gujarat, I appeal to @BJP4Gujarat Karyakartas to focus on helping people across the state. Our Karyakartas should devote themselves to providing all possible assistance and stand shoulder to shoulder with fellow citizens.
- Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 5, 2017
Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted today about Cyclone Ockhi that has wreaked havoc in several parts of India. He said that the situation was being "constantly monitored".
Continuously monitoring the situation arising in various parts of the country due to #CycloneOckhi. Spoke to all relevant authorities and officials. All possible assistance is being provided to those affected.
- Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 5, 2017
According to the National Disaster Management Authority, heavy rainfall is expected over Saurashtra and south Gujarat region during the next 24 hours.
Rescue operations continue in Kavaratti island of Lakshadweep, Indian Navy tweeted this morning from its official handle. 
Some parts of the Mumbai-Pune Expressway experienced a hailstorm this morning, PTI reported. For the next 24 hours, the weather department has predicted intermittent rains in the city.
BJP President Amit Shah's public rallies in Rajula, Mahuva and Shihor in Gujarat were cancelled due to Cyclone Ockhi, ANI reported.
To carry out the rescue work in Lakshadweep & Minicoy Islands, which have been affected by Cyclone Ockhi, Indian Navy's Sea King helicopters are being used, ANI reported. 
Rain lashed Mumbai's Andheri this morning, ANI reported. 
