Cyclone Ockhi

Cyclone Ockhi Hits South Kerala With Heavy Rain; 1 Killed; Schools to Remain Shut on Friday

By India.com News Desk | Updated:Thu, November 30, 2017 4:27pm

Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 30: Heavy rains lashed southern districts of Kerala since Wednesday night due to cyclone Ockhi. A person was also killed in the outskirts of Kollam, ...

   

Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 30: Heavy rains lashed southern districts of Kerala since Wednesday night due to cyclone Ockhi. A person was also killed in the outskirts of Kollam, after a tree fell on his vehicle. According to the government, all disaster preparations have been made to face the cyclone. Schools in several districts are to remain shut on Friday, reports claimed.

Owing to the cyclone, heavy rains lashed the southern part causing heavy traffic jams in the capital city of Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam. The dead person has been identified as Vishnu, a native of Kulathupuzha. He was an autorickshaw driver and the tree fell on his vehicle, killing him.

Warning has been sent across to all people residing in the coastal areas and according to government sources, if required, they are even equipped to evacuate the coastal areas. Kerala Disaster Management Cell has been given stern instructions to be equipped for any kind of emergency.

Tehsildars in Kollam have issued directions to keep all disaster rehabilitation centres ready in case evacuation becomes necessary.

Till 8.30 am on Thursday, fifteen centimetres of rainfall was recorded at Aryankav in Kollam, while in Neyyatinkara and Nedumnagad, it was three centimeters each.

According to The News Minute, a fisherman has been reported missing from Vettucaud and seven fishing boats have gone missing from Adimalathura in the district.

In Kollam, all educational institutions will remain closed on Friday, while in Thiruvananthapuram, holiday was declared on Thursday afternoon.

According to IMD officials, heavy rains will continue till at least December 3, The News Minute reported.

Pilgrims travelling to Sabarimala have been asked to avoid travelling between 6 pm and 7 am. They have also been directed to not use the path through the forest.

Cyclone ‘Ockhi’ formed in the Bay of Bengal near Kanyakumari, and has been causing heavy showers in the districts. Minor incidents of landslide were also reported. Neyyar Dam’s gates have been raised, while gates of Peppara dam in Thiruvananthapuram are also likely to be be raised soon, reports claimed.

Published:Thu, November 30, 2017 4:17pm | Updated:Thu, November 30, 2017 4:27pm