Four fishermen were rescued after the country boat in which they had ventured into the sea sank amid rough waters in the Gulf of Mannar near Narippaiyur in Ramanathapuram district.
More than 300 fishermen from the fishing hamlet of Veppamarathuppanai near Narippaiyur, close to Sayalkudi, depend on over 50 country boats for their livelihood. Despite rough sea conditions prevailing in the Gulf of Mannar over the past few days, fishermen from the area have been continuing their daily fishing activities.
The fishermen who ventured into the sea on Sunday were caught off guard when the wind speed suddenly increased. Unable to withstand the rough sea, their country boat was tossed about by the waves and eventually began to sink.
The four fishermen aboard the boat jumped into the sea and struggled to stay afloat. Other fishermen who were fishing nearby noticed them and rushed to their aid.
They rescued all four fishermen and also recovered the sinking country boat before bringing them safely back to the shore.
Fishermen said that several country boats in the area are damaged or sunk every year during rough sea conditions, causing losses running into several lakhs of rupees.
They urged the government to take immediate steps to construct a groyne in the area to protect their boats and safeguard their livelihood.
