Kalpeni, Minicoy islands hit- no loss of life; Lakshadweep MP

Kalpeni and Minicoy islands in the Lakshadweep were badly hit by Cyclone Ochki, but there were no casualties, the island's MP P P Mohammed Faizal said today.
He said many houses had collapsed.
A helipad and a breakwater--a barrier built out into the sea to protect a coast from the force of waves-- were washed away in Kalpeni.
Precautionary measures taken by the Lakshadweep administration soon after receiving the cyclone alert helped saved lives in the island, he said.
Faisal said seven persons were rescued from a sinking Uru, a large Dhow-type wooden ship off Kavaratti.
While five fishing boats sank off Minicoy,an equal number sank off Kalpeni as per information reaching him, he said.

The MP said he held telephonic talks with Home Minister Rajnath Singh who assured him that a team of officials from the ministry would be sent to assess the damage.

He said he has also discussed the matter with officials in the Prime Minister's Office.
Precautionary measures have been taken at Kavaratti and Agatti islands where the cyclone is expected to hit tonight.
Cyclone Ochki lay centred about 80 km north -north east of Minicoy in Lakshadweep today.
Heavy rains under the influence of the cyclone continued to batter coastal areas of Kerala and south Tamil Nadu today, crippling normal life.

The death toll in the two states in rain-related incidents rose to 12 today.