Berhampur: In a joint operation, the Indian Coast Guard, NDRF and ODRAF personnel rescued 26 fishermen from Andhra Pradesh near Gopalpur coast in Odisha on Thursday morning.
According to sources, around 150 fishermen had gone for deep sea fishing off the Gopalpur coast in 35 trawlers on Wednesday, ignoring the advice of the IMD. As the intensity of the cyclone grew later that night, they requested the Ganjam district administration for help.
Acting on their request, DIG (southern range), Ganjam collector and SP, who after consulting the IG (Law and Order) and the DIG (Coast Guard), began the rescue operation.
Following the order, the NDRF and ODRAF personnel under the leadership of Indian Coast Guard personnel moved into the sea in the night. After a night-long search operation, the team rescued 26 fishermen. The rescue operation is still on and efforts are being to locate the remaining fishermen, the sources added.
