(MENAFN- Saudi Press Agency)
New Delhi, Rabi'I 14, 1439 H., December 02, 2017, SPA -- Cyclone Ockhi, which claimed a total of 15 lives after battering south India, was moving past a group of Indian islands Saturday as ships and aircraft were deployed to search for scores of fishermen missing on turbulent seas.
The "very severe cyclonic storm" with wind speeds of 140 to 150 kilometres per hour brought heavy rains over the Lakshadweep archipelago off the south-west coast of India, but there were no casualties, state lawmaker Mohammad Faisal told reporters.
"Ockhi has badly hit the islands of Minicoy and Kalpeni, blowing away roofs of homes and damaging communication lines and several fishing vessels. But in a relief to people, rains and winds are easing as the system moves away from the islands," Faisal said by phone to dpa.
Over 190 fishermen had gone missing, but many were getting back on their own or were being rescued, officials said.
"Authorities have deployed navy ships and air support like aircraft and helicopters to comb the coastal areas," Tamil Nadu disaster management chief Rajendra Ratnoo said.
Kerala official PH Kurian said over 300 fishermen had been rescued or managed to return on their own since Friday.
--SPA
15:31 LOCAL TIME 12:31 GMT
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