Naval ships set sail for Kerala storm rescue

NEW DELHI: Union Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday said several naval ships and maritime aircraft were deployed for a rescue work as Tamil Nadu and Kerala braced for a powerful cyclonic storm.

“At 22:00hrs, the ICGS Samarth sailed from Kochi for rescue,” the minister said.

Seven naval units have been directed to conduct the rescue work along the Kerala coast. Ship C-427 has also sailed for Vilinjam on a rescue mission.

In addition, the Eastern Naval Command will launch the P8i Maritime Patrol aircraft for the rescue and relief mission, Sitharaman added.

The MeT department had earlier sounded a cyclone alert in the two southern Indian states after strong winds and heavy rain battered the region.

At least four people were reportedly killed in Tamil Nadu storm-related incidents. However, there were no reports of deaths from Kerala.

A deep depression over Comorin area has intensified into a cyclonic storm 'Ockhi', Indian Meteorological Department said.

“The cyclone Ockhi is fast moving towards Lakshadweep and its intensity is not weakened yet. Due to this heavy rains are expected in southern districts of Tamil Nadu and Kerala,” the IMD said in a statement.