A fisherman from Kalapet coastal hamlet is feared to have drowned after his boat capsized while fishing in the high seas off the Puducherry coast.
Police said Muniappan (45) of Kalapet had set out for fishing in his boat on Friday morning. He cut short his fishing activity as the sea had turned rough. Muniappan fell off the boat while cruising back in choppy waters and went missing at around 4 a.m.
On obtaining information, fishermen from Kalapet set out in boats in search of Muniappan and found his damaged fishing boat. The fisheries Department and the Coast Guard have launched a search for Muniappan.
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Heavy rain accompanied by thunder and lightning lashed the city for the last two days inundating low lying areas. Several stretches on Mahatma Gandhi Road, Kamaraj Salai and Boomianpet were flooded.
The rains led to power disruption in several parts of the city. Puducherry recorded an average rainfall of 85 mm in the last 24 hours ending at 8.30 a.m. on Friday. The regional meteorological station has forecast isolated heavy rainfall over the next 24 hours.
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Meanwhile, four persons including two women were struck dead by lightning in Villupuram district.
Police sources said Kasturi and Santhakumari of Gengarampoondi near Vikravandi were working in a field when lightning struck them. The duo died on the spot.
In another incident, Ranganathan (51) of Molasur near Kiliyanur was struck dead by lightning when he was grazing cattle in the village. Petha Reddy of Malavarayanallur near Ulundurpet died after lightning struck him.