845 rescued, 661 still missing since Cyclone Ockhi

New Delhi: The defence forces and other agencies involved in rescue operations when Cyclone Ockhi battered southern India saved 845 lives, but 661 fishermen still remain missing, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman told the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.

In a written response to a question, Nirmala said the navy, the air force and the coast guard saved the lives of 821 people until December 20. Another 24 lives were saved by other agencies, including merchant navy vessels.

Of the total 845 people rescued, 453 were from Tamil Nadu, 362 from Kerala, and 30 from Lakshadweep and Minicoy islands. However, the defence minister said 661 fishermen were still missing.

The majority of those untraceable are from Tamil Nadu (400) and Kerala (261), the worst-hit states when Cyclone Ockhi swept through the coastlines of southern India.

The cyclone had caught many fishermen off guard after it formed quickly in the Arabian Sea in early December.