Cyclone Ockhi: Rescue operation on to save 24 stranded people

The Indian Navy assets have sighted twenty four people stranded at the sea due to Cyclone Ockhi, and efforts are underway to rescue all of them.

On the other hand seven people were picked up by the vessel MV ENERGY ORPHEUS, while other four were rescued by Indian Navy Ship (INS) JAMUNA and three by trawler in the area.

Two have been rescued by helicopter, which is progressing further to rescue six more.

The Navy said two are being rescued by MV KUNLUNSHAN at the moment.

Meanwhile, Home Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to Director General (DG) of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and reviewed the situation in areas affected by Cyclone Ockhi.

The official Twitter account of Home Minister Office tweeted that NDRF teams have already moved to affected areas.

"HM Shri Rajnath Singh spoke to DG NDRF and reviewed the situation in the areas affected by cyclone Ockhi. The NDRF teams have already been moved to the affected areas. More teams are on standby to respond to any further emergencies. MHA is also closely monitoring the situation."

On the other hand, five Navy ships have been deployed from Kochi, while two ships are on standby in Lakshadweep.

Two Indian Coast Guard (ICG) ships each have also been deployed from Kochi and Tuticorin.

One P8I aircraft, Navy Dornier and Coast Guard Dornier are also airborne for search and rescue operations, while helicopter is on standby with divers.

Boeing P8I Aircraft was deployed at first light from Indian Navy Ship (INS) Rajali this morning. It sighted seven survivors hanging on to a capsized boat, 25 miles West of Trivandrum, the Navy said.

"A/c drops life raft in the vicinity and reported the exact position. Ships in area are being diverted to render assistance," the Indian Navy added.

Advanced Light Helicopter has dropped a life raft for eight survivors at sea 20nm off Trivandrum and is picking up two critically injured survivors from MV Energy Orpheus.

Naval Sea king helicopter being launched shortly to recover the eight survivors and additional search informed the Indian Navy.

Several naval ships have been deployed for rescue operations as Tamil Nadu and Kerala brace for the cyclonic storm Ockhi, confirmed Union Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

Cyclone Ockhi that has created massive destruction in Tamil Nadu and Kerala is now moving towards Lakshwadeep Islands.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has already issued an alert of heavy to very heavy rainfall in both the states.

The depression in Southwest Bay of Bengal had snowballed into the cyclonic storm- Ockhi.

The cyclone has so far claimed the lives of four people in both Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

The deadly storm has killed seven people in neighbouring Sri Lanka and affected the lives of nearly 20,000 people.

-ANI