Lakshadweep battered by Cyclone Ockhi: PTIKochi: Lakshadweep islands, which was hit by Cyclone Ochki, has suffered a loss of over Rs 500 crore, Lakshadweep MP Mohammad Faizal said Sunday.
Faizal sought the Centre's assistance to restore normal life in the islands isolated by the storm.
He said normal life in three islands, Minicoy, Kalpeni and Kavaratti, were badly hit by the cyclone.
Around 500 houses were damaged, several coconut palms were uprooted and electric and communication lines were disrupted due to the calamity in Minicoy island alone, he told PTI.
Several crores of rupees will have to be spent for rebuilding the houses and paying compensation to farmers who have suffered extensive losses as rains accompanied by strong winds lashed the Lakshadweep islands under the influence of Cyclone Ockhi, Faizal said.
An estimated Rs 200 crore loss has been reported following the collapse of the 'breakwater',a barrier built out into the sea to protect a coast from the force of the waves, at Kalpeni, he said.
Passenger services in the island were affected due to the damage to around 10 boats which sank off Minicoy and Kalpeni islands, Faizal said.
A desalination plant at Kavaratti also got damaged. Immediate central assistance is required to restore normal life, the MP said.
People working at Minicoy island have been accommodated in schools which has been converted into rehabilitation centers.
Precautionary measures taken by the Lakshadweep administration soon after receiving the cyclone alert helped save lives in the island, he said.
