OCKHI Cyclone Advisory Issued, Heavy Rainfall in Mumbai, Surat on Dec. 5, Helpline Opened

Saturday’s OCKHI cyclone has hit Kerala and Lakshadweep islands while moving deep into the Arabian Sea on Monday before turing into the coastal regions of Western India on Monday and causing heavy rainfall in Mumbai and Surat regions.

An advisory issued by the Met Department on Sunday at 3 p.m. said the “Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Ockhi” was over Lakshadweep area and adjoining southeast Arabian Sea and moved northwestwards and lay centered over eastcentral and adjoining southeast Arabian Sea near Latitude 12.1º N and Longitude 69.0º E, about 420 km west-northwest of Amini Divi, 880 km south-southwest of Mumbai and 1090 km south-southwest of Surat.

“It is very likely to weaken gradually and move north-northwestwards for some time and then recurve northeastwards towards south Gujarat coast,” said the alert.

The forecast said rainfall is likely at many places with heavy rainfall at isolated places over south Gujarat on 5th December. Squally winds speed reaching 50-60 kmph gusting to 70 kmph very likely over and around north Lakshadweep Islands during next 12 hours and gradual decrease thereafter was expected.

For help, India Meteorological Department can be contacted on Phone: (91) 11-24652484, FAX: (91) 11-24643128, 24623220, E-mail:cwdhq2008@gmail.com, Website: rsmcnewdelhi.imd.gov.in

On Monday, Dec. 4 and Tuesday Dec. 5, squally wind speed reaching 45-55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph will be very likely along and off north Maharashtra and South Gujarat coasts and sea conditions would be very rough.

South Gujarat and north Maharashtra coasts: Fishermen are advised not to venture into the Sea along and off South Gujarat and north Maharashtra coasts from 4 th December for the subsequent 48 hours.

As Ockhi cyclon is very likely to move west-northwestwards towards north Tamil Nadu – south Andhra Pradesh coasts during next 3-4 days, sea condition over southwest Bay and adjoining central Bay of Bengal would be very rough from 5th December onwards. Hence, fishermen are advised not venture into deep sea off north Tamil Nadu and south Andhra Pradesh coast from 5th December 2017 onwards, said the alert.