Cyclone Ockhi: TN CM announces Rs 4 lakh ex-gratia for deceased's kin

Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], Dec 1 (ANI): Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Friday announced an ex-gratia of rupees four lakh each to the kin of five people who died in rain related incidents in Kanyakumari district during cyclonic storm Ockhi.

Meanwhile, at least five people have lost their lives, 22 fishermen are missing, 62 houses are fully damaged, and 240 houses partly damaged due to heavy rains, in Kanyakumari district.

Sixteen rehabilitation centres have also established by government in which 1044 people are being given shelter.

Regular life is brought to a standstill, and at least 80 fishermen and 50 boats have gone missing from the coast of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, in its wake.

At least five Navy ships have been deployed from Kochi, two ships on standby in Lakshadweep, and two ICG ships, each deployed from Kochi and Tuticorin, for search and rescue operation.

A P8I aircraft, the Navy Dornier and the Coast Guard Dornier have also been deployed for the same. Helicopters are kept ready on standby.

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

Yesterday, the depression in southwest Bay of Bengal had snowballed into the cyclonic storm.

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

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