New Delhi [India], Dec 1 (NT): a number of naval ships have been arranged for rescue operations as Tamil Nadu and Kerala strut for the cyclonic storm Ockhi, affirmed Union Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

Cyclone Ockhi that has shaped huge devastation in Tamil Nadu and Kerala is now affecting towards Lakshwadeep Islands.

"CGS Samarth sailed from Kochi for rescue. All the seven units are directed to work for rescue along and off Kerala coast. In addition, the Eastern Naval Command will launch P8i Maritime Patrol aircraft," said Sitharaman

In a sequence of different tweets, Defense Minister Sitharaman more clued-up that six warships and two coast guard ships have been arranged along with additional air attempt.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has previously instructed an alert of heavy to very heavy rainfall in both the states.

The depression in Southwest Bay of Bengal had snowballed into the cyclonic storm- Ockhi.

 Till now the cyclone has taken the lives of four people in both Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

The noxious storm has claimed the lives of seven people in neighboring Sri Lanka and exaggerated the lives of nearly 20,000 people. (NT)