Union Earth Sciences Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan today said, the India Meteorological Depertment, IMD issued its first alert to Kerala about heavy rain on November 28 and a warning about the cylcone a day later. <br/><br/>In a statement, Mr Vardhan said, on the afternoon of November 29, the IMD issued the first bulletin of the cyclone warning and it was conveyed to all district officials in Kerala, the state disaster management authority and the chief secretary. <br/><br/>The Minister further said, in the first bulletin, the information was clearly provided on the possibility of further intensification of the system into a cyclonic storm and associated adverse weather. He said, the bulletin clearly advised fishermen not to venture into the sea during next 48 hours. <br/><br/>The Minister said the bulletin was repeated every three hours including night of November 29 which was still continuing, therefore, IMD bulletin of November 29 gave clear warning of ensuing adverse weather affecting Kerala coast. <br/><br/>He said, adverse weather including heavy rainfall and strong winds started off Kerala coast only on the morning of November 30.<br/>'<br/>The Minister said, it is very unfortunate that some fishermen from Kerala and South Tamilnadu are still missing and did not return home after cyclonic storm OCKHI hit Tamilnadu and Kerala coast. <br/><br/>He assured that missing fishermen will be saved and brought back home very soon as rescue and relief operation by coast guard and Indian Navy are in full swing. <br/>'<br/>The Minister said, cyclone OCKHI which formed off Sri Lanka on 27th of last month triggering heavy rainfall along the Kerala and South Tamilnadu coast, has moved away from Lakshadweep island and now centered about 1000 kilometer southwest of Surat. <br/><br/>The system is likely to move in northeasterly direction and gradually weaken.<br/><br/>