Catholic dioceses in the southern Indian coastal regions have appealed to help people devastated by cyclone Ockhi that hit the Trivandrum and Kanya-kumari districts on Nov. 29. Several hundred fishermen are feared missing, Fr Deepak Anto, executive secretary of the media commission of the Latin Arch-diocese of Trivandrum, wrote in an email to the Vatican’s Secre-tariat for Communication urging for help.

Fr Deepak said the affected Trivandrum Archdiocese and Tamil Nadu’s Kottar Diocese “are very much engaged in the rescue operation and relief work” in collaboration with the state and central governments.

Trivandrum Archdiocese has appealed to draw attention to the emergency that the international and national media have “unfortunately” “not given enough coverage,” Fr Deepak said.