Cyclone Ockhi: Kerala fishermen defy warning, sail out to find those missing at sea

Angry fishermen defied warnings of the state government and the Met office and ventured into the sea on Sunday in search of missing colleagues even as two more bodies were recovered taking the toll in cyclone Ockhi to 16 in the state.

At least 40 boats set out into the sea early Sunday to search for the missing men even as hopes for their survival began to fade. Within 30 minutes one of the boats returned with a bloated body that is yet to be identified. Another body was washed ashore. Meanwhile, Indian Air Force helicopters are continuing search missions.

In Vizhinjam and Poonthura, two fishing hamlets in Thiruvananthapuram district, at least 80 fishermen are still missing. Another 40 are reported to be missing from other areas. The total of 120 fishermen have been missing since November 29.

“We tried our best to pacify them. But time is running out and they are simmering with anger. The state government handled the disaster with kid gloves. It is sad human lives are so cheap here,” said Poonuthura parish priest Father Justin Rudin.

He said the state machinery was quite ineffective in handling the disaster and he gave full credit to member of Parliament Shashi Tharoor for co-ordinating rescue and relief measures with Delhi.