Cyclone Ockhi cripples normal life, rescue operations in full swing

Thiruvananthapuram: As heavy rains caused by Cyclone Ockhi continued to lash coastal areas of the State Friday, rescue operations are going on in full swing, even though the sea continued to be rough.

The Navy, Coast Guard and Air Force are engaged in rescue operations with their ships, aircraft and helicopters.

Besides engaging divers, the Indian Navy has deployed two aircraft and an advanced light helicopter (ALH).

The Indian Navy is putting in "maximum effort" to rescue fishermen from the sea which is very rough under the influence of Cyclone Ockhi, Vice Admiral A R Karve, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command, told reporters on board the INS Tir at the naval base in Kochi.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the state has asked the defence ministry to deploy more aircraft for rescue operations as the cyclonic storm moving towards Lakshadweep.

Top Navy officials said they deployed two ships to the Lakshadweep Islands for carrying out rescue and rehabilitation operations in the island.

In Lakshadweep, orders have been issued to evacuate people from low-lying areas in Kalpeni, Minicoy, Kavratti, Agatti, Androth, Kadamath and Amini islands, official sources said.

People are being shifted to schools, they said.

Five boats anchored at a jetty in Kalpeni were damaged in heavy rains, coupled with strong winds.