Thrissur: Four fishermen from Pulluvilla near Vizhinjam, who were struck by cyclone Ockhi, in the sea, returned safely to Chettuva harbour here on Saturday morning. Cletus of Itheymanthurayidam at Pulluvilla, who was leading the 36-ft-long fibre boat having double engine, said that they had travelled 65 nautical miles towards Ponnani after setting off from Chettuva on Sunday last and were caught in the cyclone on Wednesday. They tried to anchor as the waves started to rise. Luckily, the anchor got stuck in between the rocks which prevented them from drifting away.
“We dropped our plans to set the nets in the sea using buoys and managed to return to the harbour. The fuse of the wireless set with us to seek help from nearby boats blew up during the cyclone,” Cletus added. His co-workers in the boat were Johny, Shaiju and Joseph of Pulluvilla. Meanwhile, the sea fury which intensified at Kodungallur, Nattikka and Chavakkad on Friday night subsided by Saturday night. “Eriyad, Kara, Puthiya Road and Pay Bazzar were the most affected regions in Kodungallur. A total of 22 families were shifted to safer places at Eriyad. By Saturday night, the sea receded and is remaining calm,” Mr A. Mukundan, additional SI at Kodungallur police station, told DC.
