Cyclone Ockhi: Telugu Ayappa Pilgrims Stranded At Sabarimala 

Sabarimala: Thousands of Ayappa Swami pilgrims from both the Telugu states have been stranded at Sabarimala, the holy shrine in Pathanamthitta District in Kerala following Ockhi cyclone.

Cyclone Ockhi appears to be showing no signs of weakening and it may intensify in the next 24 hours, the IMD officials warned. The authorities warned the pilgrims not to venture out within the eight kilometre radius of Sabarimala which has been witnessing strong gales and heavy rains.

Lakshadweep along with several parts of Tamil Nadu and Kerala should brace up for more rains in the next 24 hours. Heavy downpour in coastal areas of the two southern states has so far claimed 17 lives while more than 200 fishermen have been rescued by the Indian Navy and Coast Guard.

The Tamil Nadu government has said it will soon seek central funds for the damage caused by Cyclone Ockhi in the southern parts of the state, with Kanyakumari and Tirunelveli districts being the worst hit.

This was conveyed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi by Chief Minister K Palaniswami during a telephone conversation between the two leaders last night, a state government release said. "The prime minister assured to immediately give the required assistance," the release issued last night said.

Modi dialled Palaniswami and enquired about the damage caused by the cyclone, which also battered parts of Kerala, it said. The chief minister apprised him of the various relief works going on in "full swing" in seven districts of the state and told Modi that Kanyakumari and Tirunelveli were the worst affected.

He listed out various steps being taken, besides deputing senior ministers and IAS officials to oversee the relief work, the release added. Efforts were being undertaken on a "war footing" while power supply was being restored. The Coast Guard's help was being used to rescue 30 fishermen stranded in the sea even as 76 of them had been already rescued, Palaniswami said. The state will send a report to the Centre seeking funds after carrying out a detailed assessment of the damage caused by the cyclone, which has crippled life in Kanyakumari district, he told the Prime Minister.

Cyclone Ockhi, which in Bengali means 'eye', had yesterday intensified into a severe cyclonic storm and moved to the Arabian Sea.

The state government yesterday said that over 1,200 people affected by the cyclone in Kanniyakumari and Tirunelveli districts have been lodged in relief camps. (PTI)