Cyclone Ockhi: 39 dead, 167 fishermen missing

A total number of 39 people from Tamil Nadu and Kerala have been killed and 167 are still missing after Cyclone Ockhi hit both the states on November 30, said Home Ministry official on Tuesday.

Of the dead, 10 hailed from Tamil Nadu and 29 from Kerala where 2,802 and 33,000 people got affected due to the impact of the cyclone respectively, he added.

According to the official, around 220 fishermen in Tamil Nadu, 390 in Kerala and 27 in Lakshadweep have been rescued along with 18 those who were stuck on two merchant craft boats, he said also added that, "only those are missing till now who left into deep sea before November 29".

On November 30, a day after the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a warning about the cyclone, around five people from Tamil Nadu and 56 from Kerala suffered injuries after the cyclone affected these place.

"The cyclone affected four districts in Tamil Nadu and eight in Kerala. There is lot of damage in Lakshadweep but no loss of human lives is reported." he added.

A total of 33 Indian and foreign tourists visiting Lakshadweep at the time when cyclone hit the island are all safe.

He also said that, "The tourists along with 250 people landed on the Lakshadweep coast and 809 landed on Maharashtra coast are being provided shelter and basic facilities."

The official said a number of 74 people from Tamil Nadu and over 93 from Kerala are still missing and the state government is in the process to identify them in the villages.

The official said that 10 ships and five aircrafts of Navy; 13 ships, four dornier aircrafts and one Chetak helicopter of Indian Coast Guard; one Advanced Light Helicopter, two MI-17 chopper and an AN-32 aircraft of Air Force is being used in the rescue operation.

"This is a totally coordinated rescue operation. Cabinet Secretary review everyday about the situation apart from joint secretary level officers taking congnisance of the situation every three hours," the official stated.