Puri: Cyclonic storm Fani, that made a landfall on Puri coast May 3, has hit the livelihood of thousands of fishermen in Pethakata area of the Holy City here.
The cyclonic storm has not only destroyed the kuccha houses of Pethakata fishermen but also damaged many boats and other fishing equipment, sources said.
Most of the residents of Penthakata slum usually undertake fishing activities in the sea to earn a livelihood. The fishermen had suspended fishing in the sea at least two days prior to the cyclone and brought their boats ashore.
The fishermen had left their kuccha houses just before the storm made a landfall and moved to cyclone shelters.
However, gusty winds and heavy rain had damaged almost all kuccha houses at Panthakata slum. Moreover, high altitude waves had washed away several boats parked on the coast and damaged many others, sources said.
Though the district administration has started providing relief to the cyclone-affected fishermen, it is yet to take any step to assess the damage to fishing boats and other equipment.
“We had brought our boats to the shore prior to the cyclone. However, many of our boats have been either damaged by the storm or washed away by the high altitude waves. Moreover, our kuccha houses and household goods have been totally destroyed by the storm. Now, we do not have boats and other equipment to carry out fishing activities,” said S. Shrinu a fisherman of Pethakata slum.
According to Shrinu, most of the fishermen of Pethakata do not have the resources to arrange or build new boats. The fishermen are waiting for assistance from the state government to construct boats and repair their houses. “We are now sitting idle. The state government should consider our misery and provide us financial assistance to arrange new boats,” Shrinu said.
