Watch: The hefty environmental cost of a shipwreck

Watch: The hefty environmental cost of a shipwreck

Ocean currents had carried the wreckage south. Villages along the coast—Neerody, Midalam, Vallavilai, Erayumanthurai—reported bags of nurdles, iron rods, and even cashew nuts.

Alerted by vigilant fishermen, the Tamil Nadu government launched clean-up operations. Conservancy workers and volunteers were deployed. Protective gear was worn. Bags were collected, labelled, and moved to nearby harbours.

From Vallavilai to Dhanushkodi, thousands of kilos of nurdles were cleared. But the effort was only just beginning.

Published - June 17, 2025 12:48 pm IST