The anxiety and mental agony of fishermen families ended on a happy note on Sunday afternoon when five fishermen, who went missing at sea from Chettikad in the district, were found safe.
District administration officials said Sibichan, a native of Chennamveli, Joy hailing from Kattoor, Yesudas and Joseph, of Chettikkad and Shaji, a native of Thumpoly have been brought to Beypore coast. Fishermen were rescued by Coast Guard ship, Abhinav, 300 nautical miles off Chavakkad in Thrissur district. They went out to sea in a boat, Joyal, on November 29.
Officials also said three fishermen Ranjith of Neerkunnam, Prathapan of Thumpoly and Peter of Kanjiramchira, have reached Kalpeni in Lakshadweep. Authorities also contacted Mohandas, a fisherman hailing from Purakkad in the district, who reached Devgad in Maharashtra.
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“We have information that fishermen are safe. Three of them are in Lakshadweep and one in Maharashtra. Fishermen will be brought back as soon as possible,” said an official.
Earlier in the day, local residents and relatives of missing fishermen disrupted Railway services, laid siege to national highway and Alappuzha-Arthunkal coastal road, alleging official apathy in rescue operations.
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Destruction
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The cyclone Ockhi has left a trail of destruction on the coastlines of Alappuzha. Several houses suffered damage, while fishermen endured loss to the tune of lakhs of rupees after boats and equipment were washed away in strong waves.
As many as 414 families have been shifted to nine relief camps opened in the aftermath of cyclone in the district. 1,516 people are housed in these camps. “We are providing all possible help to the people affected by cyclone disaster. Fishermen who suffered damages to boats, equipment and houses will be compensated,” official said.
District Collector T.V. Anupama has urged the people to remain vigilant as waves as high as 5.5 metre are likely to hit the coastlines of the district.