Rough sea and heavy rain induced by cyclone Maha sent 759 persons across the islands in Lakshadweep to shelters on Thursday.
Among the most affected were the northern islands of Bitra, Chetilat, Kiltan and Kadamat. Rough sea forced not less than nine fishing boats from Kerala and Tamil Nadu accounting for nearly 100 fishermen to take refuge in Lakshadweep islands — five boats at Kalpeni, three at Kavaratti, and one at Androth.
According to District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) sources, the cyclone has not left the kind of destruction in Lakshadweep islands that was originally feared of.
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While a few houses were partially damaged, 110 coconut trees and 125 other trees were uprooted. Kiltan bore the brunt of the rain fury where 259 persons remain in shelter camps, while over a 100 trees were uprooted.
Fishing remains completely banned till November 2 even as the Lakshadweep administration sources sought to assuage the apprehension, saying that the situation was fast being brought under control.
Kadamat and Kalpeni islands experienced severe waterlogging owing to heavy rain and fierce waves that intruded into the shore.
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In an indication of improving weather, Yellow Alert has been declared for Lakshadweep on Friday after two successive days of Red Alert. A release said all necessary precautions were being taken by the Naval Officer-in-Charge (NOIC), Lakshadweep & Minicoy (L&M), and INS Dweeprakshak at Kavaratti in co-ordination with the Union Territory Lakshadweep. Naval teams at Kavaratti, Androth, and Minicoy remain prepared to offer all possible assistance to the administration.
Besides, three ships are being prepared for despatch to Lakshadweep islands for any possible contingencies. Merchant vessel Triton Liberty, which has been hired by the Navy to supporting Lakshadweep islands specifically, will be casting off on Thursday night, and the other ships INS Sunayna and INS Magar will remain on standby.