[Watch] Cyclone Asani: High Tides In Odisha’s Beaches May Have Destroyed Over One Crore Olive Ridley Eggs

Berhampur: The high tides at Odisha’s beaches caused by Severe Cyclonic Storm Asani, which later weakened into a cyclone, is feared to have destroyed over one crore eggs of the endangered Olive Ridley sea turtle.

Berhampur Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Amlan Nayak said the eggs, buried under sand, must have been exposed by the high tides and destroyed.

A clear picture will emerge after May 14, when gusty winds and rough sea conditions subside. Nayak said 15-20% eggs could have been damaged.

Nayak said every year certain percentage of eggs get exposed due to beach erosion and get destroyed, which is normal. Every year, 10-15% eggs get destroyed naturally.

This year, nearly 5.5 lakh Olive Ridleys arrived for nesting on Odisha beaches laying approximately five crore eggs.