Bhubaneswar: With cyclone Arnab set to hit Andhra coast on Wednesday, ports in Odisha’s Paradip and Gopalpur have provided shelter to several fishermen along with fishing boats as a precautionary measure.
According to official sources, Paradip Port Authority (PPA) has provided shelter to 305 fishermen aboard 35 fishing boats inside the harbour in Jagatsinghpur district amid unfavourable weather and rough sea conditions.
The fishing boats have been taking shelter inside the harbour since Monday evening. The fishermen have been accommodated at the Eastern Quay-1 (EQ-1) berth to ensure their safety.
The arrangement aims to protect the lives of the fishermen and provide a safe haven for their boats as adverse weather conditions persist.
In a post on X on Tuesday, the Paradip Port Authority said the initiative reflected its commitment to protecting lives and supporting the fishing community during challenging weather conditions. “Safety First. Preparedness Always,” PPA said.
Similarly, Gopalpur Port in Ganjam district has provided safe shelter to 30 fishing boats from Andhra Pradesh and four from Odisha inside its harbour to protect them from adverse weather conditions.
This apart, two large fishing boats from Andhra Pradesh have been safely accommodated at the Aryapalli fishing jetty. The 13 fishermen aboard these two boats have also been provided shelter.
According to Additional Fisheries Officer Debidatta Mohanty, around 250 fishermen are currently staying safely within the Gopalpur Port premises.
The port authorities have made necessary arrangements to safeguard fishermen and fishing vessels ahead of the cyclone. They have also assured full cooperation with the Ganjam district administration and other government agencies in managing the potential impact of the storm.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the very severe cyclonic storm is likely to cross Andhra Pradesh–Yanam coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, close to Yanam, by the forenoon of October 28.
The IMD has forecast maximum sustained wind speeds of 125–135 kmph, with gusts reaching up to 150 kmph, during landfall.