Mysuru: Expect cloudy weather and moderate to heavy rainfall in city for the next three to four days due to Cyclone Ockhi that has wreaked havoc in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The weather will be cool as the cyclone is now headed towards Lakshadweep and one can expect rains up to 25.4 mm (one inch) per day in Mysuru, Kodagu, Mandya and Chamarajanagar.

As of this morning, Cyclone Ockhi is hovering 160 km east of Lakshadweep in the Arabian Sea and it has already killed 9 people in Tamil Nadu.

Unofficial sources say that the death toll has touched 13 and is likely to increase as at this point of time, it is tough to get the actual figures of death. Five persons have been killed in Kanyakumari alone.

Normal life in Kerala and Tamil Nadu has been crippled due to heavy rains accompanied by gale winds, lightning and thunder. High tides are sweeping coastal   areas in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, unleashing widespread  destruction.

Speaking to Star of Mysore this morning, Dr. C. Govindaraju, Senior Farm Superintendent, Indian Meteorology Department (IMD) unit, Organic Farming Research Station at Naganahalli, said that Mysuru, Mandya, Kodagu and Chamarajanagar will experience moderate to heavy showers in the next three to four days.  “Rain during this period is destructive as it is paddy harvest season in parts of Mysuru and in entire Kodagu district. Paddy crop is likely to get ‘blast disease’ (Benki Roga in local parlance). Also, crops like ragi and ginger and coffee too will suffer due to untimely rains,” he said.

According to Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sunil Lanba, Navy has identified 39 fishermen marooned in the sea in Kerala and rescue operations are underway. Forecasters have warned of heavy rain in south Kerala for the next 24 hours and south Tamil Nadu for the next 12 hours. Schools near the coast in the two states have been closed.

Cyclone Ockhi was named by Bangladesh after the Bengali word for “eye”.