Navy ship locates 17 boats with 180 people off Lakshadweep

Kochi: An Indian Navy ship engaged in search and rescue operations in the aftermath of Cyclone Ockhi today located about 17 boats with over 180 people off Lakshadweep coast. However, it was not clear whether the 180 people included the about 100 fishermen missing after the cyclone.

A Defence spokesman said INS Kalpeni was sent to Off Sesostris Bank/Bassas de Pedro a traditional fishing area off Lakshadweep Island based on Naval P8I aircraft’s inputs about the boats. “She has located about 17 boats with 180 plus people.All these boats reported safe,” he said. He said the people in the boats intended to continue fishing as they have not encountered the cyclone at all.

The spokesman said normalcy is being restored on a war- footing at Minicoy island, with the Naval contingent working 24X7. In addition, a relief camp was established to distribute relief materials ferried by naval ships to all 11 villages through their ‘Moopans’ (village heads) as requested by the Lakshadweep administration, he said.

Other maintenance activities such as clearing of fallen trees, cleaning of premises of jetty area, Navodaya School, relief camp and Fisheries department premises are being undertaken by Naval personnel present there, the spokesman said.