Cyclone Montha forces marine fishermen in Kendrapada and Jagatsinghpur to anchor boats

Kendrapada: Large number of marine fishermen of Kendrapada and Jagatsinghpur districts have anchored their boats at the fishing harbours and jetties after the alert over Cyclone Montha.“On Saturday, we advised all marine fishermen to return from the sea due to cyclone warning. Many boats returned on Sunday. Using loudspeakers, we are warning fishermen not to venture into the sea. The fisheries department will take action against fishermen who venture into the sea ignoring weather warnings,” said Rabi Narayan Patnaik, joint director (marine), fisheries department.“Around 21,000 fishing vessels, including 2,000 trawlers, are registered with the fisheries department.

Incessant rain and strong winds from July to Sept forced many marine fishermen to halt fishing for around four weeks. Cyclone Montha is now compelling us not to venture into the sea, which will again affect many fishermen,” said Narayan Haldar, president of Odisha Matsyajibi Forum. “Hundreds of fishing vessels have anchored at the fishing harbours in Kharinashi, Jamboo, Talachua and other places in Kendrapada district and the fishing harbour in Paradip,” added Haldar.

“We depend on the sea for our earnings. As fishermen, we expect bad weather, but the continuous low pressure systems and cyclones are affecting our livelihood,” said Paresh Mandal, a fisherman of Ramanagar.Kendrapada and Jagatsinghpur are likely to receive heavy rain under the impact of Montha. “Unseasonal rain may dash the hopes of many farmers who are expecting a bumper paddy yield,” said Umesh Chandra Singh, president of the district unit of Krushak Sabha.“All cyclone shelters are ready with facilities and amenities. Order has been issued to provide uninterrupted power at all the hospitals,” said Kendrapada collector Raghuram R Iyer.