Bring back 500 stranded off various coasts: Fishermen

Even before the wounds caused by cyclone ‘Ockhi’ have faded from the memories of Kanniyakumari fishermen, another low pressure area south of Kanniyakumari formed on Sunday, and has started moving towards the Arabian sea. By Tuesday morning, the low pressure area had turned into a depression and moved to the Arabian sea, south-southeast of Thiruvananthapuram. 

According to the fishermen, the warning was issued to them on Sunday and from then all the fishermen who went for deep sea fishing were alerted. Timely communication had helped the fishermen return to coast by Monday evening. 

Speaking to DT Next, Justin Antony, founding president, International Fishermen Development Trust, said around 350 fishermen in 30 mechanised boats from Chinnathurai coastal village in Kanniyakumari district were yet to reach the shores. Similarly, more than 150 fishermen from neighbouring villages were yet to return. 

However, the fishermen who were fishing close to the sea returned immediately once the warning reached them and only those who had gone for deep sea fishing are stuck in other parts of the country and nearby islands. 

Despite the fact that around 50 boats were still untraceable, 40 boats were berthed safe in Kalpeni in Lakshadweep, 30 boats have reached Kalpati, also in Lakshadweep, and 20 more were safe in Karwar port. Also, 30 other boats were held up in Mumbai, Ratnagiri and Verawal and the GPS coordinates have been provided to the government to rescue them. 

Speaking about the rescue efforts, he said officials of the Fisheries Department are also taking steps to rescue the fishermen. 

Additional Director of Fisheries, Sameeran, had informed him that a helicopter from Kochi has been pressed into service for rescue operations in Lakshadweep. 

Also, local officials are involved in spreading awareness through radio. The messages are given clearly to the family members of the fishermen and to fishermen representatives. However, the government should take steps to find the missing fishermen and should bring them back on time, said Justin Antony. 

Meanwhile, fishermen were warned not to venture into the sea. 

Because of the warning, boats were not given permission to cross the Pamban bridge and were instruction to anchor in the deep sea.