Cyclone Ockhi kills eight people as rain batters South Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram : Cyclone Ockhi on Thursday claimed eight lives as strong winds and heavy rains lashed South Kerala, said an official.

Several trees were seen uprooted in the Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam districts. In one incident, woman got crushed under a tree, while in another an auto driver lost his life after a tree fell on his vehicle.

A couple was reportedly electrocuted after coming in contact with the live electric wires. 

Schools and colleges have already been shut by the state governments till further notice.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan held an emergency meeting of top officials to take stock of the situation and has asked police and revenue officials to be on high alert.

"We have asked for help from the Navy and the Coast Guard as a batch of fishermen from here has not returned," Vijayan told the media after the meeting. The Navy has deployed ships for search and rescue operations.

The Met has forecast heavy rains for Friday in southern Tamil Nadu and Lakshadweep and also parts of Nicobar Islands.