The Fisheries Department in Nagapattinam district has imposed a ban on motorboat and country boat fishermen from venturing into the sea starting today until further notice. Fishermen who had already gone out to sea have been instructed to return immediately as precautionary measures are being intensified.
This decision follows the development of a low-pressure system in the Bay of Bengal, which has intensified into a deep depression. Meteorological forecasts indicate the system is likely to strengthen further and move toward the delta coast, bringing heavy rainfall to several districts, including the delta regions.
The Fisheries Department has warned that wind speeds in the Bay of Bengal could reach 45 to 55 kmph, posing a significant risk to fishing operations. As a result, over 700 motorboats and 3,500 country boats from more than 25 fishing villages, spanning from Nagore Pattinacheri to Kodiyakarai, have been docked safely at their respective harbours.
Additionally, the department has announced that fishing tokens and diesel supply to fishermen were halted at midnight yesterday to ensure compliance with the safety directive.