Mangaluru: Cyclone Ockhi, which pummelled south Tamil Nadu and Kerala, had its impact on coastal Karnataka too with Ullal in Dakshina Kannada district bearing the brunt. The high tide damaged two houses and left six others partially damaged. About 35 families had to be shifted to safer places late evening on Saturday. There was no loss of life but sea water was visible on the roads and buildings adjacent to the sea in Ullal and Padubidri in Udupi district.
A Met department bulletin has forecast waves with a height of 5.1 to 6.3 metres in the coastline from Mangaluru to Karwar from 9.30 am on December 3 to 11.30 pm on December 4. Following the high tide, an emergency meeting was held at the Deputy Commissioner's office here on Sunday, which was chaired by Minister U.T. Khader. The administration is on a high alert, said DC Sasikanth Senthil, who informed that fishermen have been warned not to venture into the sea. A control room, which would be operational round the clock has been opened at the DC’s office and tourists have been asked to keep away from the beaches. Sea sports and boating too were stopped at places like Panambur beach on Sunday.
Mr Khader said he held a meeting with Coast Guard officials following which four Coast Guard helicopters from Goa would be stationed in Mangaluru as a precautionary measure. Meanwhile, in a press statement, the Coast Guard stated that 32 fishing boats belonging to Tamil Nadu with 346 fishermen, 14 boats belonging to Kerala with 103 fishermen, 27 boats belonging to Goa with 565 fishermen, 21 boats belonging to Mangaluru with 114 fishermen and 35 fishing boats belonging to Malpe with 119 fishermen have taken shelter in Karwar.
