At least 15 fishermen and eight boats are reported missing since Tuesday along the Karnataka coast in “very rough” sea.
District Operational Officer of the Coast Guard Commandant K.L. Arun told The Hindu on Wednesday that two boats from Mangalore coast, one from Kundapur and five boats had that left from different fishing harbours located between Netrani and Karwar were missing.
He said that 15 to 20 fishermen were onboard these boats.
These boats had ventured into the sea before the warning about the worsening weather condition was issued. Commandant Arun said there were instructions from the higher authorities of the Coast Guard not to launch a rescue operation using small boats in view of the rough weather.
A ship of the Coast Guard left Kochi on Wednesday morning on a search mission, he said, and added that this rescue team would try to trace the boats and the fishermen missing along the Karnataka coast.
He said that many fishing boats that had ventured into the sea off the west cost were reported missing. “Nobody knows their location,” he said.
Deputy Director of Fisheries S. Sureshkumar Ullal said that a gillnet boat that ventured into the sea from Mangalore fishing harbour on Monday with three fishermen onboard was reported missing.
A trawl boat with six fishermen onboard that went into the sea from the Mangalore harbour six days ago was also missing, he said, and added that there was an unconfirmed report that the boat had been sighted.
Meanwhile, the Secretary for Disaster Management, Government of Karnataka, has said, quoting Meteorological Department authorities, that winds with speed reaching 45 to 55 kmph are likely along the Karnataka coast during the next 48 hours.
The official has advised fishermen against venturing into the sea.
Damaged
Udupi Staff Correspondent writes:
Seven houses, a school building and some boats were damaged in heavy rain accompanied by strong winds in Kundapur taluk of Udupi district on Wednesday. According to the Kundapur Taluk Office, St. Pius English Medium High School building was partially damaged in Hangalur village and the loss was estimated at Rs. 70,000. Houses of Maxim D’Silva and Margaret Kotha were partially damaged in the village.
Houses of Krishna Poojary and Mathias D’Mello were partially damaged at Koteshwar village. The damage to each house has been estimated at Rs. 5,000.
A house each was damaged in Hombady-Mandady, Gujjadi and Hosangady villages. The house of Shekhar Koraga was damaged at Hombady-Mandady village and the loss was estimated at Rs. 20,000. The house of Shivaram Shetty was partially damaged in Gujjadi village and the loss was estimated at Rs. 15,000, while the house of Baby Kulalti was damaged in Hosangady village and the loss was estimated at Rs. 10,000.
Village accountants and revenue inspectors had been instructed to be prepared to face any situation arising out rain and strong winds in Kundapur taluk.
Deputy Commissioner P. Hemalatha told The Hindu that some boats had been damaged at Uppunda. The loss is being assessed. Some fishermen from Udupi district, who had gone fishing and were reported to be missing, had been traced in Uttara Kannada district, she said.
Rainfall
According to the Control Room at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office, Udupi received a rainfall of 34 mm in 24 hours ending 8.30 a.m. on Wednesday. The rainfall in Kundapur and Karkala was 32 mm and 37.02 mm respectively.
