A 10-foot high wall, built along the road, leading to the Signal Station from the Fishing Harbour collapsed partially after being hit by the high waves, caused by the cyclone Phailin, on Saturday morning.
The police and security personnel placed blocks on the road to prevent the movement of fishermen to the jetties as the remaining wall was precarious and could fall anytime.
Despite warnings by the police, fishermen surged ahead saying they had to protect their boats, anchored in the harbour, as they were hitting against one another due to the high tide.
“This is the first time that this wall has collapsed. The waves are higher than that seen during the tsunami. Trawler drivers and khalasis had no sleep all through the night as they were loosening and tightening the ropes to prevent damage to the trawlers as they were hitting against one another,” said Kosta Matsyakarula Sangham president Kantumucchu Tata Rao.
“Our women and children, living in low lying-areas, have already left for the relief camps. The men are waiting at their homes and watching the tidal movement to salvage whatever property they could in case the storm surge was more,” he said.
Deputy Chairman of Visakhapatnam Port GVL Satya Kumar was seen going round the harbour and instructing the officers and men on the measures to be taken to minimise the damage. “We have sent out the ships from the high roads and secured those that are in the inner harbour. A 24x7 emergency control room has been opened to monitor the situation. Six fire tenders and their staff members have been kept ready for emergency relief,” Mr. Satya Kumar said.
