9 years ago
Chennai:
A depression over the Bay of Bengal intensified into a cyclone, dubbed Cyclone Ockhi on Thursday, which has led to the death of four people in Kanyakumari district. The situation is particularly worrisome in Kankyakumari, where over 845 people have been evacuated from the low lying areas. The MeT department has predicted more heavy rainfall to Tamil Nadu, Lakshadweep and parts of Kerala in the coming week. The IMD said it expects rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places very likely over south Tamil Nadu and south Kerala during the next 24 hours and isolated heavy falls during the subsequent 24 hours. Rescue operations are on by the Southern Naval Command, which has deployed three ships and two aircraft to locate around 13 fishermen who are missing. Sea conditions are expected to be very rough in the area, the weather office said. The IMD also said it expects damage to power and communication lines due to falling tree branches and uprooted trees. It also warned those living in thatched huts of damage and minor damage to pucca roads.