Mumbai: The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has rescued 183 fishermen, including 19 from the remote islands of Lakshadweep and Minicoy (L&M), on Monday, since cyclone Ockhi hit the south-western coast of India on November 30, 2017.
A massive search and rescue (SAR) operation is being conducted amid stormy weather by ICG ships and aircraft in the areas affected by the cyclonic system, which developed on November 29 due to a depression in the south-eastern coast of Sri Lanka and further developed as a deep depression while moving north-westwards toward southern Tamil Nadu, Kerala’s coast and the Lakshadweep islands. “Even though the cyclone has moved north of L&M islands, deployment of ships and aircraft are continuing in the area to search for people stranded at sea,” Inspector General K.R. Nautiyal, Coast Guard Region (West), said at a press conference today.
“The ICG Region (West) has also been issuing precautionary advisories to [the] state authorities of Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka and Daman and Diu for the likelihood of re-curving of the cyclone and making a landfall along south Gujarat coast near Gulf of Khambat,” he said. Also, offshore oil companies have been advised to initiate contingency measures including the evacuation of personnel from oil platforms well in time.
The Coast Guard Region (West) at Mumbai, assessing the impact of the cyclone in the sea area, tasked ships and aircraft with providing critical assistance to fishermen at sea. Coast Guard District Headquarters at Kochi and Kavaratti were directed to provide necessary assistance to stranded fishermen and shepherd them to shelter areas, said the ICG officer. The ICG has tasked 12 ships and deployed three Dornier aircraft and two helicopters for sea-air coordinated SAR assistance. Until December 3, 164 people, mostly fishermen, were saved by ICG ships in Kerala and L&M areas.
In addition, Coast Guard stations along the west coast are interacting with fishermen and assisting them with first aid and food as required. Fishermen are being counselled to remain inside the harbour and not to venture out to sea until the cyclone dissipates. The data of fishermen in shelter areas are also being shared with concerned State Fisheries and other state authorities to convey their safety to their relatives.
On Sunday, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis tweeted, “Due to Cyclone Ockhi 28 more boats with 321 fishermen landed at Ratnagiri today. 23 from Tamil Nadu, 3 from Kerala & 2 from Karnataka. They are now docked at Mirya Bunder, Ratnagiri. All are safe and officials are looking after them with utmost care (sic).”
