Fishermen of Ramnad, Thoothukudi stay off sea due to inclement weather

Stating that winds with a speed of 55-60 kmph was recorded, sources in the Fisheries Department said such an adverse weather condition is dangerous for fishermen. Paying heed to the warning, as many as 1,520 mechanised boats and over 5,000 country crafts in Ramanathapuram district remained anchored. Elsewhere in Thoothukudi district, around 440 mechanised boats in Thoothukudi, Tharuvaikulam and Vembar and over 4,500 country crafts did not venture into sea.

Thoothukudi-based S Joe Boy told DTNext that fishing by mechanised boats continue to be suspended since October 19 due to bad weather condition.

“Such restrictions must not be applicable for mechanised boat operators in Thoothukudi, who set sail early at 5 am and return to shore the same evening by 9 pm. It should be imposed on fishermen from other coastal districts, who normally engage in multi-day fishing at sea,” he said.

However, fishermen were not affected in Kanniyakumari district, which has a total of 716 registered and 260 unregistered mechanised boats. Another 5,000 fishermen rely on country crafts. “Only when a depression is formed over the Arabian sea, they will be alerted,” sources said.

Meanwhile, there was widespread rain in southern districts on Tuesday. Several places in Madurai, Sivaganga, Ramanathapuram and Tirunelveli districts received heavy showers. Due to heavy downpour witnessed in parts of Ramanathapuram district, a holiday was declared for schools on Tuesday. Low-lying areas were inundated by rain.

When contacted, Ramanathapuram Collector K Veera Raghava Rao said it was raining since early morning hours. The district, which has a total of 16 rain gauge stations, recorded an average of 20 mm since 6 am on Tuesday. Pamban received the maximum rainfall of 50 mm and Thangachimadam, another coastal hamlet, recorded 48 mm, he added.