Nagapattinam fishermen grounded after Fisheries Department warns of adverse weather

Fishing in the sea came to a halt along the Nagapattinam coast on Friday following a strong wind and storm warning issued by the Fisheries Department, leaving thousands of fishermen without livelihood for the second consecutive day.

The advisory cautioned fishermen against venturing into the sea as strong winds of 45–55 kmph, gusting up to 65 kmph, were likely over the Gulf of Mannar, the Comorin area, and along the Tamil Nadu coastline. Acting on the warning, fishermen from 27 coastal villages, including Nagore Melapattinacheri, Nagore Pattinacheri, Nambiyarnagar, Samandanpettai, Keechankuppam, Akkaraipettai, Kallar, Velankanni, Seruthur, Kameswaram, Arkattuthurai, Kodiayakkadu and Kodiyakarai, stayed ashore.

In Nagapattinam district alone, around 3,500 fibre boats and about 450 mechanised fishing vessels remained anchored along the shore. Mechanised boats that had ventured into the sea earlier were forced to return midway because of rough weather conditions. Most fishermen were seen securing their boats and repairing fishing nets along the coast.

Fishermen said the high wind velocity made sailing risky, forcing them to suspend operations. With strong winds prevailing for nearly a week, many fishermen had already curtailed fishing activity, and the latest advisory had aggravated their difficulties.

“We have not gone to the sea for the past two days following the department’s warning. Without daily fishing, it is difficult to manage household expenses,” said A. Ajith, a fisherman from Seruthur. He urged the government to extend relief assistance during weather-related disruptions, similar to the compensation provided during the annual fishing ban.