Cyclone Ockhi heads towards Gujarat, Maharashtra coasts
After ravaging the southern states, Cyclone Ockhi is now heading towards the coastal states in the west. According to IMD, it is "likely to cross Gujarat and Maharashtra coasts near Surat as a deep depression" by midnight tonight. Daman, Diu and Dadra, Nagar Haveli are also expected to be affected. Schools have been shut, services suspended and NDRF teams deployed. Here're more details.
Schools shut as Mumbai records record rainfall in a decade
In Maharashtra, the government has declared all schools and colleges in Mumbai, Palghar, Raigad, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg and Thane shut. The BMC has urged citizens not to visit beaches. An alert has been issued for people staying in areas close to the sea like Dadar, Shivaji Park and Mahim. Yesterday, Mumbai recorded its highest 24-hour December rain in 10 years due to Ockhi.
Ferry services suspended, NDRF teams deployed
In Gujarat, NDRF teams have been deployed at Rajkot, Surat and Navsari. The Ghogha-Dahej RoRo ferry service has been suspended. The IMD has predicted heavy rainfall in Valsad, Surat, Navsari, Bharuch, Dang, Tapi, Amreli, Gir-Somnath and Bhavnagar districts in the next four days. Fishermen have been asked not to venture into the sea. Gujarat chief secretary JN Singh has taken stock of administrative preparedness.
Deaths and damage worth crores in TN, Kerala, Lakshadweep
Meanwhile, the death toll due to Ockhi in Kerala reached 28 yesterday as two more bodies were recovered. Officials said more than 90 people are still missing. The state governments claimed to have rescued 530 fishermen in Kerala and over 2,600 in Tamil Nadu. Search is on for others. According to an MP, Lakshadweep alone suffered losses of Rs. 500cr.
