Coast Guard warn tourists and fishermen to not venture into the sea

Mangaluru: The Coast Guard here has sent out strict warnings to fishermen and the people residing near the coastal belt not to venture into the sea for the next few days till the weather condition improves.

Naval, Coast Guard ships and aircrafts are patrolling the seas to render search and rescue services.

Water Sports and Boating facilities have been put at halt at Malpe beach and St Mary's Island.

In all, 7 people have died in coastal Kerala and 6 in Tamil Nadu and nearly 90 fishermen are missing as a depression above the Bay of Bengal turned into a cyclonic storm.

Cyclone Ockhi intensified into a severe cyclonic storm and moved towards Lakshadweep on December 2, after causing heavy rain that has left around 13 people dead in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The Navy has been called in to rescue stranded fishermen. Cyclone Ockhi is likely to strengthen further, triggering a "red warning" for Lakshadweep - the highest category alert.

Indian Coast Guard can be contacted on toll free number 1554 and VHF Channel 16 or on 0824-2405278/2405269, Squally wind speed reaching 45-55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph very likely along and off Kerala coast during next 24 hours and along and off Karnataka coasts during next 48 hours.

Sea conditions would be rough off Kerala coast during next 24 hours and along and off Karnataka coast during next 48 hours.