After farmers, the fishermen community in Krishna district has been affected badly due to erratic climatic conditions prevailing in the Bay of Bengal for the last one month. All kinds of boats operating along the coastline in Krishna district have been bound off the shore since the weathermen warned of the landfall of cyclonic storm Helen between Nellore and Machilipatnam recently.
After the Helen made its landfall in Machilipatnam on November 22, the weathermen again warned of another cyclone, Lehar, that is likely to have its impact on the coast between Kalingapatnam and Machilipatnam.
“The weather did not spare us. We could even bring our boats to the Gilakaladindi harbour. There are many boats still lying idle at Nagayalanka and other places on the coast, waiting to venture into sea for fishing,” said fishermen from Gilakaladindi.
On Monday, at least a dozen boats, which had already ventured into sea for fishing after the Helen, were asked to return in the wake of Lehar threat.
“We have alerted owners of all kinds of boats to stop fishing till the Lehar crosses the coast. Efforts are on to bring back the boats which are on the sea,” Gilakaladindi harbour maintenance officer and Machilipatnam Fisheries Development Officer B. Rajkumar told The Hindu .
Several boatmen did not hear the weathermen warnings due to the long gap of fishing activity and the impact on their livelihood.
