Ockhi retreats, new low pressure forms

Heavy rains continued to batter coastal areas of Kerala and south Tamil Nadu on Friday, crippling normal life, even as Cyclone Ockhi lay centered about 80km north-northeast of Minicoy in Lakshadweep. The death toll in the two states in rain-related incidents rose to 12. Authorities on Friday declared a holiday for schools and colleges in five districts, including Kanniyakumari.

As the toll in Kanniyakumari district mounted to five on Friday, a low pressure system over the South Andaman Sea is expected to turn into a depression in the next 48 hours, which may bring more rain to north Tamil Nadu.

Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami announced a solatium of Rs 4 lakh to the kin of each of the victims, an official release said.

“A well-marked low pressure is lying over South Andaman Sea. It is expected to concentrate into a depression in the next 48 hours,” RMC Director S Balachandran said. The system is likely to move towards north Tamil Nadu and south Andhra coast in the next four days. “This is the current situation and we are monitoring the system.” As per the latest MeT bulletin, the system is very likely to intensify further during the next 24 hours. “It is very likely to continue to move west-northwestwards across Lakshadweep islands during the next 24 hours and then move north-northeastwards during the subsequent 48 hours,” it added.

In the next 24 hours, more rain is expected in most places in TN and Puducherry. Heavy rainfall can be expected in Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Theni and Dindigul, he said. Weathermen said the sky in Chennai would remain overcast for the next couple of days with a few spells of rain or thundershower in some areas.

PM Narendra Modi spoke to CM Edappadi K Palaniswami with regard to the devastation caused by Cyclone Ockhi in the state, on Friday night. The CM apprised him of the rescue and relief measures and sought Central assistance for the damages caused. He informed the PM that a damage assessment report will be forwarded to the Centre. Modi assured that all possible assistance will be given.