Cyclone Ockhi: 400 fishermen rescued from rough sea

Thiruvananthapuram: At least 400 fishermen from Kerala and Tamil Nadu have been rescued from the rough sea in a massive rescue mission named "Operation Synergy" even as 138 fishermen landed in Lakshadweep which is battered by the cyclone Ockhi on Saturday.''We have received information that 138 missing fishermen reached Kalpeni island in the Lakshadweep archipelago and efforts are on to bring them back,'' Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan told newspersons here.

He announced a solarium of Rs ten lakh each to the next of kin of two fishermen who lost their lives in the cyclone that also caused extensive damage to property and crop in the state. The injured persons would be given an assistance of Rs 20,000.As many as 529 families have been shifted to 30 relief camps as several areas in the state continued to receive rainfall and the sea remains rough. As the weather office issued warning to fishermen for the next few days, the state government also decided to give a free ration to the fishermen families in the coastal belt for the next one week.

He said adequate compensation would be given to those who lost their fishing vessel in the cyclone. Air Force, Navy and Coast Guard continued their joint operation, bringing back seven more fishermen from the turbulent sea on Saturday morning. (UNI)