Chennai: While the efforts are going on to rescue missing fishermen from Kanyakumari, Nellai, Toothukudi, Rameswaram and Nagapattinam, a large section of fishermen has kept off the sea in the last three days. This has not only affected fishing activities across the state, but also caused severe damage to their livelihood.
While fishermen rued the monetary loss due to the damage to boats in unfavourable weather conditions, the families of missing fishermen in Kanyakumari staged protests and demanded rescue operations be done at the earliest.
“The torrential rainfall has affected the fishermen community largely in Chennai, Cuddalore, Kancheepuram, Thiruvallur and Villipuram as around three lakhs fishermen did not undertake fishing for last three days. We want the authorities to speed up the rescue operations and demand a remuneration amount of '10,000 to each of the affected fishermen”, said J. Kosumani, president, Tamil Nadu Fishermen Union.
The cyclone warning flags were hoisted in ports to alert the fishermen even on day three as RMC signalled risk due to high to very high sea conditions, which would become very rough during next 24 hours.
RMC advised the fishermen along and off Lakshadweep Islands to not venture into the Comorian area and the Arabian Sea during next 48 hours as the strong winds from Northeasterly direction signalled grave risk.
“After the authorities had warned of rough sea conditions, fishermen have kept off the seas and the livelihood of many families has been affected as there had been no fishing activities.
The diesel allotted for this month seems to be going waste and boats have also incurred damage. Fishermen have already suffered a loss amounting to Rs 4,000-5,000 each. The families depend on everyday fishing are struggling to afford a meal due to harsh weather conditions”, Kirubakaran, a fisherman, said.
